Scrumbly Koldewyn Interview by Jen Bush

Are you ready for The Cockettes because they’re ready for you!  You can see this one-of-a-kind show at Joe’s Pub on September 9^th.   The Cockettes were an avant garde psychedelic hippie theater group founded by Hibiscus (George Edgerly Harris III) in 1969. Their brand of theater was influenced by The Living Theater, John Vaccaro’s PlayHouse of the Ridiculous, the films of Jack Smith and the LSD ethos of Ken Kesey’s Merry Pranksters. The troupe performed all original material, staging musicals with original songs inspired by classic Hollywood movie musicals. They gained an underground cult following that led to mainstream exposure with JOHN WATERS and DIVINE that continues today.  The lead Cockette himself, Scrumbly Koldweyn graciously took some time out of his busy artistic schedule to have a chit chat with us about the Cockette experience.

Being a Cockette has been a positive experience for Scrumbly.  “As a founding member, it was pretty glamorous back in the day. People recognized you when you went out, groupies wanted to get next to you… Today it’s still fun being a bit gay-famous, especially in the Bay Area. But people in traditional theater are a little wary of your ‘wild reputation’.”

Scrumbly has graced the New York stages before.  “Since our big 3-week run in 1971, besides some industrial shows, I’ve appeared at Town Hall for the Cabaret Convention with my vocal trio, The Jesters, in 1990, performed in drag in Terry Baum’s, “Baum For Peace” at the Fringe Festival in 2007, had a Cockettes reunion courtesy of Robert Croonquist in 2008, performed a Martin Worman retrospective at the Lincoln Center Library of the Performing Arts’ auditorium, and ran the revival of the Cockettes’s “Vice Palace” at the HOWL festival in 2011.”

Scrumbly is anticipating a fabulous evening at Joe’s pub.  There will be lots of old friends and surely some new ones to be made.  “I expect a sort of mini Cockettes reunion of a few originals from back in the day, and many of our East Coast friends, and with those who follow the Cockettes. In other words, a great party at Joe’s Pub.”

Scrumbly’s no dummy but he’s got an upcoming show about one.  As for The Cockettes.  Joe’s Pub is just the beginning!  “I’m looking forward to mounting my collaboration with Cab Covay, a musical about a ventriloquist and his ‘dummy’ in the Vaudeville era, called “Jugular Vanities”, and doing more Cockettes musical reviews and full-show revivals.”

I’ll place my bets on The Cockettes!  Get your tickets now!

COCKETTES: THE SECOND CUMMING

Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, Saturday, Sept 9 @ 9:30pm, 425 Lafayette St, New York City.

Returning to NYC after a 50-year absence, San Francisco’s legendary,  underground-breaking, gender-bending theatrical troupe, The Cockettes, are bringing their bawdy, colorful, cabaret show to Joe’s Pub celebrating the music of original Cockette Scrumbly Koldewyn. Event produced by Dan Karkoska featuring Matt Bratko, Noah Haydon, Kitten on the Keys, Steven Satyricon, Ellie Stokes, Bonni Suval, Birdie Bob Watt and the “original Cockette,” composer and performance artist Scrumbly Koldewyn.

 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
LEARN the history of this Underground-breaking troupe!
Visit them on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM and here’s a SNEAK PEEK