Peaches Christ serving ‘face’.
Peaches Christ-aka Joshua Grannell-is a San Francisco drag-terrorist/cult leader, emcee and award-winning horror film director, writer and co-star of 2010′s ‘All About Evil’. Peaches first burst onto the City’s club scene in the early, heady, years of Heklina’s world infamous club, Trannyshack, held weekly at The Stud in SoMa.
In 1998 Peaches established the wildly popular Midnight Mass movie series at the now shuttered Landmark Bridge Theatre. There she produced original stage show interpretations of her high camp/cult favorite midnight movies as pre-show entertainment to standing room only crowds. In addition to the films she often scooped up special guest stars to pay the stage a visit as well-Mink Stole, Tura Satana, Linda Blair, RuPaul, Elvira (Mistress of the Dark) and John Waters to name but a few have held court alongside PC. As the productions and crowds outgrew the capacity of The Bridge Peaches relocated most of these spectacles-er-spectaculars to the Castro Theatre where they’ve continued to attract sold out audiences.
She gave the Biscuit a sneak peek into the upcoming Peaches Christ Summer Series at the Castro and the 40th celebration staging of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with special guest star, Patricia Quinn.
Peaches Christ: Hey! (gasping) Sorry-outta breath from running up some stairs.
Castro Biscuit: UH. Huh. (dripping with sexual innuendo) Shhhuuuree.
PC: (Laughing) Oh girl, no. Its a work day.
CB: So what’s on deck over at The Castro this coming Summer? I heard there’s going to be four events?
Mark Patton in ‘Nightmare on Elm St. Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge
PC: Yes! First up in June is Night of a 1000 Scream Queens, ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge’ with special guest star Mark Patton thats co-presented with Frameline. It’s possibly the gayest horror movie ever made. In July we’re showing ‘The Craft’ and I’ve got a couple of my friend’s from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Alaska Thunderfuck and Sharon Needles set to help with the pre-show madness. In August its my annual presentation of the crowd favorite and Midnight Mass staple, ‘Showgirls’-free lap dance with every large popcorn purchased of course. And for Halloween we’re gonna close out the season with ‘Gray Gardens’ starring ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ 2013 winner, Jinkx Monsoon. She’ll be recreating her role from the Season 5 contest as Lil’ Edie while I’ll be her foil, Big Edie, in the pre-show.
CB: Which upcoming Castro show are you most excited about?
PC: I’m always excited about whatever comes next in the schedule to be honest. Its been my dream to bring the only boy ‘scream queen’ of horror films, Mark Patton to San Francisco for Midnight Mass. I ran into him randomly when I wandered into his fantastic shop in Puerto Vallarta, It’s really cool-stuffed with glitter encrusted handbags and Mexican folk art. We hit it off and hatched this plan. I had to include Frameline as its Gay Pride and all the Queer subtext of the film is so interesting. Mark’s character in ‘Freddie’s Revenge’ is the lone, male survivor in the film series ever.
CB: It’s cool that you’re bringing Alaska and Sharon in for roles in the pre-show for everyone’s favorite Goth 90′s Witch-fest, ‘The Craft’. What’s it been like for Peaches to work with so many of the contestants and winners of RuPaul’s Drag Race?
PC: It’s really opened the doors for us on every level. Their fame extends deeply into the drag culture the world over. Outside of SF mine has been primarily within the Horror/Gore film buff community. Now we’re seeing new fans and admirers the world over tuning in as a result of our association. I mean you have no idea just how popular they all are. It’s kind of mind-boggling. I am honored to be friends with these talented gals and can’t wait to see what our collaborations are going to accomplish.
CB: This weeks event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Rocky Horror Picture Show is quite a departure from your usual Midnight Mass formula.
PC: I can honestly say this is the most lavish and involved staging of any show I’ve ever attempted and the first we’ve ever done without showing the movie. The initial idea was our special guest star, Patricia Quinn, who played Magenta in the original film. We’re really lucky to have her here-it’s her first visit to San Francisco. I’m so excited-the cast is superb, we’ve got great singers and musicians-we’ve rehearsed our feet off and there are gonna be some surprises that people aren’t expecting. The cherry on top is Patricia Quinn, reprising her role as Magenta and singing all of her iconic songs.
CB: What’s it been like working alongside Patricia? I mean her career has been so long and varied from being on the holy grail of UK Sci Fi, ‘Dr. Who’, to working with the kings off all things humor, Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
PC: Well, she’s a real royal ‘Lady’. I mean it. She was married to the late actor Robert Stephens who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth which makes her Lady Stephens. She has some great stories about the Royals and I hope I can convince her to share some during this week ends event. She’s so much fun. She has impeccable style and taste. I really admire her so very much.
CB: Wow. A Lady?! It’s not everyday an Irish lass from Belfast becomes a member of English royalty! How many shows are there?
PC: Three in all. Friday May 10th and two shows on Saturday May 11th a matinée and an evening show. I’m so excited I can hardly wait!
You can purchase tickets to the 40th anniversary celebration and uniquely San Francisco Peaches Christ staging of the Rocky Horror Picture Show here.
Tickets to any of the coming movies and stage shows this Summer and Fall staged at the world-famous Castro Theatre can be found here.
