Well now , here’s something a bit different that what the talented drag queens of key west would bring to the stage. But then, it takes all kinds of talent to make the world go round baby…and this can’t compare to what the drag queens, inspired by the designs of Sushi – the design queen of this bunch of drag queens, would ever wear on stage when performing..

this is fashion ?? i'm not so sure !

Last night’s The A*Muse fashion show by Richie Rich in New York was quite a sight to see. Richie, who is the better  half of the outrageous design team Heatherette, brought the aesthetic and the models he’s famous for using to this show too, and while there’s not a ton for us to look at here, it at least looks… crazy?

 Pamela Anderson, Amanda Lepore, Tinsley Mortimer, glitter, spandex…  This is fun, and some good fashion photos, but not a whole lot of talent going on here.  Enjoy !!

London — Kathryn Hoffman

My face still hurts from smiling (and singing)!!

How do you transform a cult classic where one of the main characters is a giant pink bus into a stage production? Well, friends, the brilliant minds of the West End have done it with “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.”

Michael was already in London, so Carol and I grabbed the express into Waterloo last night, and we went to the thea-ta!  From the opening strains of “Never Been to Me” where the three “real” singers descend slowly from the ceiling in their 3-foot high wigs and strapless sequin costumes (one of them was a big girl, so I give points right away) as Tick/Mitzi strips out of his man clothes and becomes an over-the-top drag queen right before your eyes, I knew I was gonna love this. Mother would have loved it too.

The same costume designer who won the Oscar for the movie did the designs for the show, and she’ll win the Tony too. More wonderful songs than the original soundtrack and absolutely outstanding performances. Musical number after musical number after musical number. And big costume changes with each number. And men who look like they’re wearing those muscle-y Halloween costumes, but they’re not! Remember “Shirl” whom Bernadette drank under the table and the ping-pong princess? They’re all here!

Then even after I GET that there’s a giant bus on stage, open on one side so you get full interior scenes, HOW are they going to transform her after the horrible “f— you faggots” graffiti into the pink
princess?  I won’t say, but it works. About a million different ways!

Confetti bombs and audience members dancing on stage (to “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”) and feathers everywhere. Even the giant glittery shoe on the top of the bus with Felicia atop it singing opera while her parachute-sized scarf trails behind… .

The premiere film screening of “Audience with the Queens” at the Tropic Cinema in Key West, Florida on wed. Feb 17^th was absolutely fantastic. The weather was very brisk for Key West, it’s usually nice and warm during the winters here, but this year has been an extreme exception. I was freezing cold while heading to the theatre on my scooter. My beret pilled down over my ears, scarf wrapped around my neck, gloves on my hands, and my girlfriend hugging me on the back, we arrived with a little frost on our noses.

The STARS make an entrance to the Theatre

The place was buzzing with excitement, lots of people were lined up to get tickets, and there were many already inside the theatre. The drag queens led by the star, Sushi, made their grand entrance with the camera rolling. The other drag queens, Samantha, Gugi, Gassy and Deja’ all looked fabulous and had big smiles on their faces as they posed and made clever remarks to each other and to all within earshot. They are so witty, and the banter that goes on amongst them is really quite the show in itself.

 The theatre manager told me the screening was SOLD OUT in advance, so all who were still in line to get tickets were very disappointed. The best part of that is the film “Audience with the Queens” is playing at the Theatre for the entire week so the ones who missed out on opening night will still be able to see the film.

 The film profiles a very diverse group of drag queens who live and perform onstage here in Key West at the 801 Cabaret Club on Duval Street. The group is led by Sushi, the drag mother to many and the beauty and brains who makes the show go for these drag queens. Sushi makes the schedule and hosts many of the shows herself and she the one who has to give them hell If they screw up, or in some cases, get drunk and don’t show up! The film gives the audience some perspective on what a drag queen is and what they’re all about. They are an interesting subculture to explore and I know I’ve certainly learned much about them and in doing so have come to enjoy them very much !

The film stars make there appearance

 The theatre GM asked me to speak for a few minutes before the screening and give my perspective on why and how I came to do this particular film. It is a good story, but that’s for another day. I spoke before the film screened and talked a little of how I came to get the idea for the documentary and how I got involved with this group of drag queens.

One of the “stars” of the film, Destiny, passed away during the making of the film. She’s still a very prominent part of the film. After her death we filmed her funeral but I haven’t yet added that footage to the film. It was a sad day but drag queens have a different perspective on how to have a funeral.  Destiny’s dad was in attendance for the premiere, and in my remarks from the stage about the film, I dedicated the screening to “Destiny and her dad”. The only way I knew her dad was there was Destiny’s niece, who I met at the funeral, came up to me before the film started and told me. After the screening I made sure I met Destiny’s Dad and we had a nice conversation about his son. It was a very touching ending to a great evening.

The film screens at the Tropic for an entire week. Starting Feb 17^th with two shows a day.  I think I’ll end here and continue this a bit later

Last night was the premiere screening of the acclaimed documentary film that profiles several of the drag queens who live and perform in Key West, Florida. The name of the film, “Audience with the Queens” is both produced and directed Robbie Hopcraft.

Gassy, Sushi, Samantha and Robbie entering the Theatre

The debut local screening at the Tropic Cinema was SOLD OUT two days before the show opened and many tourists and locals alike, who wanted tickets, stood in line to see if any who bought tickets didn’t show up to claim them. But everyone who bought tickets showed up and the film didn’t disappoint anyone. At least not that we’re aware of anyway !!

The Drag Queens who star in the film, led by Sushi, all came dressed to the nine’s. Samantha, Gugi, Gassy and Deja were all looking glamorously wonderful. RV Beaumont who also stars in the film was the only one of the group who didn’t make it to the premiere. RV has had a bout with Cancer and is still undergoing treatments and was apparently too tired to make it to the film. What a shame that happened to RV. The same thing happened when the film screened at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. RV couldn’t make it for the same reason. It makes us all sad that RV wasn’t able to make the screening again. 

Sushi's Mom Nobi looking like a star!!

Sushi’s mom Nobi came to the screening looking very chic in her new outfit. She was accompanied by Sushi’s boyfriend Jeff Kuchin who does the light and sound for the drag shows at the 801 Cabaret Club in Key West.

The film was a huge success and everyone was happily talking about how much they enjoyed it. The screening of the film will be extended for an entire week so hopefully many others will get a chance to see and enjoy it

Oooops, Sooo sorry, I made a mistake.

The screening date is Fri., Nov. 6th at 9  pm at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale  Hope to see you there…