The Kinsey Sicks, San Francisco's own a cappella drag queens, were so desirous to make it to New York City, they named their last show New York or Bust. Oct. 10, their dream will come true with Dragapella Starring the Kinsey Sicks, inaugurating Upstairs at 54, a new performance space at Studio 54, Cabaret's current home. Dragapella opens Oct. 17.
Performing together for five years, the Sicks' previous productions have included Sicks Appeal, The Balled Sopranos: At Home with the Kinsey Sicks, GreatesTits and Motel-Sicks. The group's twin CDs, "Dragapella" (1997) and "Boyz 2 Girlz" (1999), feature the new a cappella classics "Don't Be Happy? Worry," "Beaver," "AZT," "Titanic: Why Does Celine Go On?," "I Will Swallow Him," "Baby Dyke," and the Yiddish classic, "Papirossen," among others.
Kinsey Sicks are Ben Schatz, Irwin Keller, Maurice Kelly and Chris Dilley. Their alter-egos are, respectively, Rachel, Winnie, Trixie and Trampolina. Schaltz wrote the song parodies and originals, while Keller and Dilley arranged the music.
Tickets are $50-$55. Upstairs at 54 is located at 254 West 54th Street. For reservations, call (212) 239-6200. The Kinsey Sicks are on the web at http://www.dragapella.com.
— By Christine Ehren