Photo by Tyler Kidder - The Bucknellian
"Rachel" from Kinsey Sicks, "America's Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet," acts with audience member Chad Freilino '06 during the group's clever a cappella show "I Wanna Be a Republican."

Kinsey Sicks captures audience with saucy satire

By Rina Van Orden
Features Editor

PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Pushing the politically correct envelope was never as much fun as it was during America's Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet, the Kinsey Sicks. It is an impressive act with great singing, hilarious dialogue - at times obscene - and a heart-felt message that shines through the crazy antics.

The critically acclaimed quartet took over Harvey Powers Theatre on April 16 with a fabulous performance of its show "I Wanna Be a Republican." The four drag queens had varying parts that complemented each other well. Even their outrageous red-andblack outfits spoke to their personalities.

"Rachel" (Ben Schatz) was crude and obnoxious, making raunchy comments and yelling at the audience throughout the show. Her pathetic nature and playful attitude made the audience love her. She wore an over-the-top polka-dot outfit with large, tacky bows all over it - a complement to her boisterous personality.

"Winnie" (Irwin Keller) was the prim and proper one, dressed in a business suit. She was the most uptight of the group and took charge whenever she could. Endearingly awkward, she possessed a sharp sense of humor.

"Trampolina" (Chris Dilley) took her place as the baby of the group. She was sweet and ditzy, with a bee-hive style hair and baby-doll dress.

"Trixie" (Jeff Manabat) was the Asian glamour puss with a skewed sense of sexual morality. Her formal attire and Marilyn Monroe-esque style gave her personality flair.

All of the characters quickly found their way into the audience members' hearts.

Cara Cox-Steiner '08 liked Winnie the most.

"She was really funny because she was so uptight, and yet she was a being played by a drag queen. It was so ironic," Cox-Steiner said.

The show's premise centered around the four characters' experiences at a Republican convention, waiting for U.S. President George W. Bush to appear. Each girl told the others how she became a republican; their stories made fun of some of the views of the Republican Party. The group's quick wit and funny songs kept the audience laughing.

Many of the jokes were directed toward gay rights issues, but they included commentary on economics, racism, the war and Bush.

"Not only are they funny, but they are presenting a serious message. Talent aside, they prove a point, even though they are guys dressed as girls," Janine Merolla '08 said.

The group also included a serious segment to its show, in which the members sang "Jerry's Song", a tribute to a friend.

A song accompanied each segment, with each of the four drag queens singing lead parts. The songs included original works such as "I've Been Through Parasites (but I've never had VD)," and parodies such as "When You're Good to Dubya," based on the song "When You're Good to Mama" from the musical "Chicago."

The audience participated by singing along, clapping, swaying to the music and talking back to the drag queens. Some of the material could be viewed as offensive, but the majority of the audience found it humorous and was receptive to the message.

"It shocked me that a show like this was able to come to Lewisburg. They said things that everybody wants to say and doesn't. It was amazing. We need more of this to come to Bucknell," Alex Madsen '08 said.

After the show, the guys put aside their drag gear and came back on stage to talk about their history and how they developed their characters. Lee Cromwell '05 also presented a slide show on the history of drag.