Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

Bonni Suval Interview by Jen Bush

Their name alone is interesting but wait till you get a load of The Cockettes!  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.  They are bringing their unique extravaganza to Joe’s Pub in New York on Saturday September 9th and we got to speak with one of their current members, Bonni Suval.

 

Bonni Suval has been with The Cockettes for over a decade and is thrilled to be a member of this one-of-a-kind troupe.  “I became involved with Scrumbly Koldewyn and his work with the magical Cockettes in 2010 when I auditioned for Thrillpeddlers theatre in SF. singing, dancing, choreographing, and causing a queer ruckus in the name of Thee Cockettes has been one of the great joys of my life. it’s a true honor to help carry on the legacy of love, acceptance, art, humor, sex, revolution, and glitter (More Glitter! Bigger Lashes!) of the beautiful freaks that came before me.” 

 

Bonni is no stranger to the vibrant artist embracing Big Apple.  “This is not my first trip to NYC. I actually lived there in the early 2000’s. in addition, I performed with Scrumbly, Rumi Missabu, Mink Stole, and my fellow Children of Thee Cockettes at Lincoln Center Library in 2011 to celebrate the induction of the Martin Worman papers. What fun! I tap danced as an igloo whilst Mink sang about no nose nannette. We also performed our revival of Vice Palace at the sweet and marvelous Theatre 81 on St Mark’s for the Howl Festival. such a thrill to end our nude, masked, ballet of the red death to a standing ovation after midnight! I look forward to tapping and serenading Manhattan once again at Joe’s Pub this September!” 

 

New York beckons Bonni once again and boy does she have some incredibly unique and artistic plans in the works!  “After nearly 2 decades living, performing, creating, and causing art damage in the bay area I am moving back to NY state this fall. my partner (an incredible artist/musician in his own right, RobFletcherIsNeat.com) of 18 years and I are working to open a haunted roadside attraction/art shop/community hub together. in addition, I’m hoping to start a theatre group for we freaky performers to teach and make stuff with the next generation! my wild-magical-musical times with my dear friend and mentor , Scrumbly Koldewyn, will definitely be a beacon to me as I once again venture into the great unknown.” 

 

Don’t miss the legendary Cockettes!

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