Connie and Carla 2004

Connie and Carla are two passionate performers whose lifelong friendship and shared love for musical theater have only led them through a series of disappointing career choices. Despite facing numerous setbacks, their unwavering optimism shines as they host a lively variety act in an airport lounge. However, their lives take a dangerous turn when they accidentally witness a mafia hit in Chicago, forcing them to escape to Los Angeles. Following their departure from a beauty salon, they decide to reinvent themselves as drag queens, auditioning to lead a drag revue at a vibrant gay club called The Handlebar.

Their unique talent for singing their own songs—a rarity among drag performers—earns them a spot in the club’s lineup. Initially titled What a Drag (Pun Intended!), their show eventually evolves into Connie and Carla and the Belles of the Balls after they recruit some friends to join their ensemble. With their show gaining traction, tensions arise as they vow to keep men out of their lives, a commitment that proves challenging when Connie develops feelings for Jeff, the straight brother of Robert, one of their drag queen companions.

As their success grows, Connie and Carla persuade the club owner, Stanley, to transform their act into a full-fledged dinner theater. However, as their fame begins to climb, so does the risk of being discovered. On the opening night of their dinner theater, the mob’s enforcers finally catch up with them. But with the support of their drag queen friends and thunderous applause from an unsuspecting audience—who believe the showdown is part of the act—Connie and Carla manage to thwart the attackers.

Ultimately, they reveal their true identities to the audience, who embraces them wholeheartedly. In a heartfelt moment amidst the chaos, Connie shares her truth with Jeff, who arrives just in time and readily accepts her, stepping into a new chapter as her boyfriend.