The Sunshine Cathedral Center for the Performing Arts is a non-profit theatre experience supporting the community… 100% of the revenue goes back to their community programing. The programs are: LGBTQ+ Youth Experiencing Housing Insecurity, (Housing and feeding our future); Race & Identity Education (Educational Symposium 27 states on how to tackle race and identity in schools across the country American Federation of Teachers president, Randi Weingarten), LBTQ+ Women’s History Month Town Hall (National Lesbian Women’s History Month Summit); Food Sharing (Sunshine Cathedral fed 30,000 experiencing food insecurity in 2022); Recovery Programs (Sunshine Cathedral Square Houses over 40 Anonymous Groups weekly).
They present many artists throughout the year and 2 of the upcoming artists are drag icons Varla Jean Merman and Miss Richfield 1981.
Varla’s show is “Stand By Your Drag” and takes place on Friday, January 5th at 8pm. “Stand By Your Drag” features musical Director Gerald Goode and was written by Jeffery Roberson, Jacques Lamarre, and Ricky Graham and Directed by Michael Schiralli. It’s been a year since Varla Jean Merman’s earth-shaking, knee-breaking “Tic-Taccident” found her flat on her back with her legs in the air. Since that time, our daffy diva has worked hard to get back on her feet, on the stage, and in your pants. Now with drag bans, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and a skyrocketing bar tab, America is conspiring to knock Varla off her lucite heels AGAIN! Join this show-biz survivor as she takes a stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of non-skid breath mints.
Miss Richfield show is “Bad Advice” which takes place on Saturday, February 17 at 8pm. Miss Richfield says: “Good advice is always annoying, but bad advice never is!” So, join Miss R as she unpacks a healthy heap of advice that promises to leave you entertained & maybe just a little annoyed.
Since they have been long time friends, I thought it would be great to sit down with them together for this exclusive Hotspots interview.
In your memories, how did you meet each other?
Richfield – When I started, I knew of Varla as I lived in Minneapolis. I wanted to be playing in P Town for years as people would tell me how great P Town was and especially how great Varla’s show was. My first year playing there was Varlas 5th year. I think I met him at a parade. I thought she was brave in the parade as she had a bit of a beard.
Varla – Yes, I was in the Carnival parade. Yes, I had a little beard, but that’s the best part of doing a parade, you don’t have to shave. I remember meeting Miss Richfield as she was outside her show selling tickets and I remember that voice.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Richfield – Loud, loud, and loud.
Varla – Boozy, bubbly and bearded.
Describe each other in 3 words?
Richfield describing Varla – professional, approachable, and persistent.
Varla describing Richfield – Quick, unwavering, and hard-working.
What do you do for fun?
Richfield – Stay home as I am on the road so much. I do love travelling, but being home is the most fun thing.
Varla – I also like to stay home as I have travelled for over 20 years. I also love fitness and going to the gym.
Do you have a significant other?
Russ – I have a partner and we have been together 7 years.
Varla – I have a husband and we have also been together 7 years and married 5.
(They both met their partners while doing drag)
You travel all over the world, do you have a favorite city or venue?
Varla – I love San Francisco’s Oasis. It was my very first gig out of NYC. I have been going there since 1995.
Richfield – One of the places I love was in San Diego but we lost it in the pandemic, but I do also really love the Sunshine Cathedral because the audience is always great and it’s a larger venue. In addition, the technical end is exceptional. I look forward to that venue and I don’t look forward to many venues.
(They both also said they love Palm Springs)
In your wildest dreams did you ever imagine you would have such longevity and be this popular?
Varla – I never thought I would be doing it this long. I really didn’t think I could make a living doing this.
Richfield – No!
Is there something you have not done yet that’s on your bucket list?
Varla – I did almost everything I wanted to do. I performed at Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera house. I did want to be the most famous drag queen in the world, but somebody reached that quicker. I would however, like to do more plays…writing and acting.
Richfield – I have done none of that…I mean I took a tour of the opera house, and I walked by Carnegie Hall one day. However, I am really thrilled where I am now in my career and my life. It’s not that I am not open to something else, but I am really content!
What does the future hold for each of you?
Richfield – continuing to work and hopefully more of the same.
Varla – The same, my hubby is retired, and he loves traveling with me to gigs, so it’s full steam ahead.
What should our readers expect from your shows at The Sunshine Cathedral?
Richfield – Its my last time I will be performing “Bad Advice” as I always launch my new show in April. It’s a super fun show that is fun and funny. I think they will walk away with something to think about. The good advice is to come to the show and the bad advice is stay home.
Varla – This whole show was inspired by living in Fort Lauderdale, doing drag and then having the government coming after you. Not only is it standing up for my profession, and my sisters, but standing up for me after I had my accident last year. I love Ft Lauderdale; I will never move anywhere. I took this show around the country talking about how fabulous Ft Lauderdale and Florida is. Just because our governor has done something completely unconstitutional doesn’t mean we should abandon Florida.
Is there something I didn’t ask you that you want to talk about?
Richfield – You have to constantly create new material, or the audience will go away, but who doesn’t want to be creative…I love it. I am so thankful as I have a wonderful life.
Varla – Ditto!
For more information on Miss Richfield 1981 go to Missrichfield.com, and for more info on Varla Jean Merman either go to varlaJean.com or Instagram.com/varlajeanmerman.
To purchase tickets for either show, or for more info, go to: https://sunshinecathedral.org/sunshine-cathedral-center-for-the-performing-arts/
