Die, Mommie, Die! brings Hag Horror to the Stage
By Berto Fernández
The 1960’s marked a time in US history that brought political turmoil, new technology, and civil rights to the forefront of the conversation. In the midst of it, films reflected the satirical and over-the-top nature of the time. The Queer community has always felt a deep connection to the fabulous women of the classic Grand Dame era in films, also called hag horror, hagsploitation, or Psycho-biddy. These movies were loosely categorized as a mix between horror and thriller. The films typically featured older women going through an emotional crisis that causes them to lash out into insanity. Arguably, the film that started the genre was cult classic Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, starring Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. Throughout the years, Grand Dame films have become a staple in the Queer community culture, being quoted and impersonated on TV, Film, drag shows, and of course RuPaul’s Drag Race.
In my opinion, it’s a no-brainer to adapt these movies to the stage, but in the case of satire 2003 movie Die, Mommie, Die!, the play was produced first. Charles Bush wrote the play, and then starred in the feature film.
San Diego’s Compulsion Dance & Theatre is producing the campy piece, with Michael Mizerany directing, and Joey Kirkpatrick starring in the diva role of Angela Arden. The WORD was able to chat with Kirkpatrick about the production and how he prepares for the portrayal of this character. “First, I watched the movie to see how Charles Busch portrayed Angela Arden to get a clear idea of his original vision for the character. I then watched a lot of classic films that the play satirizes in order to connect the dots to the references in the play. I also rewatched some of my favorite films that are in the same satirical vein, like Death Becomes Her, Serial Mom, and War of the Roses. Not to mention Mommie Dearest, which is one of my all-time favorites. Drawing that inspiration really helped to prepare for the role.”, mentioned Joey.
The actor and accomplished singing drag performer, grew up in the small town of Niland in Imperial Valley with limited resources for kids interested in Theatre. For Kirkpatrick, his time in high school debate and speech clubs was his way of satisfying his performing interest. “Starting in 2007 when I was 22, I took a couple of acting, voice, and music theory classes at Grossmont College. In 2009, a friend I met in school told me that the production of RENT he was in lost a cast member and suggested I audition for it. So I did! I was cast in the ensemble and so began my theatre journey.”, he added.
The art of Drag continues to be part of the socio-political conversation, and the Queer actor considers it particularly empowering to be able to do it on stage. “Drag is just so special and such a powerful method for storytelling. It IS theatre—and theatre is drag! They’re bosom buddies. Drag is also political. It challenges the social scripts that have been written for us as a society and gives us the opportunity to rewrite them for ourselves.”, he expressed.
“Campy. Hilarious. It sets its own rules.”, are some of the phrases the actor pointed as descriptive of the play. “I love the camp. The dark humor. The MELODRAMA. The writing is so great and really captures the style of classic Grand Dame movies but with a hilariously satirical twist.”, added Kirkpatrick. He lists Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, Dead Ringer, and Strait-Jacket, as his top choices from the genre.
“The LGBTQ+ community has traditionally made up a large portion of the fan base for classic melodramatic movies and the actresses that starred in them. It’s easy to connect and empathize with the leading ladies who face adversity but ultimately don’t abide by the societal expectations set before them. This show not only satirizes those classic films, but it celebrates them through a lens that the queer community can appreciate.”, accurately expressed the actor, who believes this is the perfect show to bring a little joy and laughter into our lives.
Die, Mommie, Die! will be on stage for only 2 weekends, opening November 8th through the 17th at the Diversionary Theatre’s black box stage, located in the heart of University Heights. There are plenty of delicious restaurant options around the area for dinner and a show date night that would be to DIE for!