Who Are The Kinsey Sicks?

"Voices sweet as birdsong." (New York Times)
"One act that should not be missed." (Billboard Magazine)

A Sensation! With a phenomenal performance record that includes an Off-Broadway show, an extended run in Vegas, two feature films, seven albums and appearances throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia, the Kinsey Sicks hardly need an introduction. For over 16 years America's Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet has served up a feast of music and comedy to audiences at performing arts centers, music venues and comedy festivals in every kind of town you can imagine, in over 40 states! Their award-winning a cappella singing, sharp satire and over-the-top drag have earned the Kinsey Sicks a diverse and devoted following.

 

Humble Beginnings. The Kinsey Sicks began in 1993 as a group of friends who went to a Bette Midler concert in San Francisco dressed as the Andrews Sisters. Assuming they'd be among many drag queens, they found themselves to be the only ones (other than Bette, of course). They were approached that night to perform at an upcoming event. Their reply - "we don't sing" - was quickly disproved when they realized that all of them had musical backgrounds. They began singing and harmonizing that night, and the seed for the Kinsey Sicks was planted.

Becoming a Phenomenon. In July 1994, the Kinsey Sicks drew a large and enthusiastic crowd at their first public performance on a street corner in San Francisco's Castro District. Since then, the Kinsey Sicks have produced and performed full-length theatrical productions around the country in such prestigious venues as the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, the Nordstrom Recital Hall in Seattle, the Broward Center in Ft. Lauderdale, the Hobby Center in Houston, the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen and the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. Their earlies shows, such as "Sicks Appeal," "Sicks-Tease," "The Balled Sopranos," "Motel Sicks: A Dragapella Summer Vacation," "Everything But the Kitsch 'n' Synch" and "GreatesTits," all premiered at San Francisco's New Conservatory Theatre Center. Their more recent musicals -- "I Wanna Be a Republican," "Condoleezzapalooza," "Oy Vey in a Manger," "Wake the F@#k Up America" and "Each Hit & I" have toured internationally and have drawn the attention and devotion of unexpectedly diverse audiences.

Off-Broadway and Las Vegas. In 2001, the girls produced and starred in the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway hit, "DRAGAPELLA! Starring the Kinsey Sicks" at New York's legendary Studio 54. That production received a nomination for a Lucille Lortel award (the Off-Broadway Tony) as Best Musical and a Drama Desk nomination for Best Lyrics. In 2006 the girls wowed audiences with a much-coveted extended run at the Las Vegas Hilton. The show was ranked by critics as one of the best shows in Vegas, and heralded by reviewers as "a feast for the eyes, the ears and the funny bone."

Recordings, TV and Print. The Kinsey Sicks have recorded six CDs: Dragapella, Boyz 2 Girlz, Sicks in the City, I Wanna Be a Republican, Oy Vey in a Manger: Christmas Carols and Other Jewish Music, Sicks! Sicks! Sicks! and their latest and most objectionable offering, Each Hit & I. They have been profiled on national television, including "20/20" and "CBS Early Show with Bryant Gumbel," and were the subjects of a lengthy cover feature in the arts section of the New York Times. (That article is posted on this website as well.)

Film. The Kinsey Sicks are the subjects of two feature films: a concert film, "I Wanna Be a Republican" and a behind-the-scenes documentary, "Almost Infamous," chronicling the adventure of the group's extended run at the Las Vegas Hilton.

The Importance of Diversity. The Kinsey Sicks represent an engaging way to introduce strong diversity values into your programming. Theirs is a fiercely gay and solidly feminist voice that deserves to be heard by audiences in theaters and campuses around the country. The Kinsey Sicks are the longest running out gay performance troupe in existence. Their content often reflects a specifically LGBTQ perspective, but their appeal extends far beyond the gay community, to audiences of all sexual orientations, genders, ages and perspectives. In addition to making people laugh until their faces hurt, the Kinsey Sicks challenge audience members to think about a range of cultural and political trends deeply and critically. The Kinsey Sicks bring their diverse personal experiences to their writing and performing as well. Two members of the group are Jewish, one serving as rabbi of a small rural synagogue. One member of the group is Asian American, the son of Filipino immigrants. Two members were activists and professional advocates in the early years of the AIDS epidemic. One member lives in Mexico. More surprisingly, one member lives in Kansas. All four sing beautifully; all four are ridiculously funny; all four will overturn your expectations in a heartbeat.