Fusion TV Orders Docuseries ‘Shade: Queens of NYC’

Fusion TV will broadcast 12 episodes of a half-hour docuseries called “Shade: Queens of NYC,” which will focus on the New York drag community. Shot in a vérité follow documentary format, “Shade: Queens of NYC” reveals a side of drag life never before seen on television, examining the unspoken stigmas, taboos and personal sacrifices that drag performers often face on their journey to stardom.

The logline: Each episode will showcase the day-to-day lives of each individual performer, on and off the stage. In addition, each week viewers will be treated to a musical number performed by the drag queens. While peeling back the drag personas and highlighting love, commitment, community, heartbreak, family and faith, “Shade” will explore what happens to New York’s fiercest drag queens as they vie for adoration, validation and compensation. Brita Filter, Chelsea Piers, Holly Box-Springs, Jada Valenciaga, Jasmine Rice LaBeija, Marti Gould Cummings, “Showbiz Spitfire” Paige Turner, and Tina Burner are among the talent featured.

The series will be produced in conjunction with Cowboy Bear Ninja and is co-created by Mike Kelton. Kelton along with Cowboy Bear Ninja’s Michael Melamedoff and Rufus Lusk will serve as executive producers; Liz DeCesare of Authentic Management will also serve as an executive producer. Lisa Tucker will serve as showrunner. Marti Gould Cummings is also a consulting producer on the pro