They’re back, witches! The Sanderson Sisters are returning to the land of the living for one night only, and you are their invited guests. But will you make it out alive? Join Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Sapphira Cristál, and Landon Cirder as they bring the magic of Hokus Pokus Live!, and the power of drag, to your city for a night of spooktacular fun!
Directedand co-written by Tyler Scott, Hokus Pokus Live! is the perfect start to spooky season! The Sanderson Sisters are back for their third night of witchy revels. This time, Winifred is sure that she’ll be able to brew the perfect potion to bring her (and her sisters, if she must) everlasting life and beauty. But somehow Sarah and Mary keep distracting Winifred from her purpose! They end up summoning Winifred’s beloved book, as well as an old flame. They try out new potions which have some unexpected side effects, and even meet a fellow ethereal being: Siri. But with all of these distractions, will they live to see the dawn of the next day?
Hokus Pokus Live! is the perfect blend of camp, parody and wit. References to both “Hocus Pocus” films are deftly worked into their script. These are accompanied by plenty of hilarious remarks about their various stints within the Drag Race franchises. Meta-theatrical in the most perfect of ways, Hokus Pokus Live! is not only aware of itself as a drag show, but also as a touring stage show, asking us about where they are and delightfully over-pronouncing Toronto, and becoming aware almost instantly of the facade of their house being a set. I think my favourite bit of physical comedy came from Jujubee’s Sarah; she consistently dances about all on her own around the stage, but any time that she faced the lights which were shining from the wings, she’d shield her eyes. This happens several times over the course of the show and yet somehow doesn’t get any less amusing.
Bob Silton Designs & David Dodgen’s set design immediately evokes the film, while having its own unique flair. The house facade looks perfectly run down like when the Sanderson sisters come back in the original “Hocus Pocus” film. The massive cauldron which sits downstage is fabulous, complete with light and smoke effects to give us the full razzle dazzle and spooky vibes. Richard “Gidget” Kuntz & Collins Creative’s costumes are exquisite: they’re the ideal drag versions of these iconic costumes. With all of the little details you loved from the originals and then stoned for the Gods, they shine and glimmer under Bryan Jager’s lights.
However, what makes Hokus Pokus Live! the not-to-be-missed event it is are the queens who bring it to life. Personally, it’s an incredible pleasure to even be in the same room as these legendary queens. I’ve watched them all on Drag Race more times than I think I can count, and they’ve each had an impact on me through their performances. In this show, it is so easy to tell that they’re having a blast, there are so many laughs between them that you can feel the joy radiating through the theatre. Not to mention that all of them sing live and dance throughout the production! Ginger Minj is so perfectly cast as the single-minded Winifred; her stage presence is undeniable and her embodiment of this character is iconic. Jujubee’s Sarah is delightfully daft, providing plenty of moments of comic relief. You could spend the entire show just tracking where she enters and exits the stage in her dancing fits. Sapphira Cristál is fabulous as Mary, she keeps a great deal of Mary’s bumbling nature while infusing her own brand of sass into the mix. I was also thrilled to be introduced to the work of Landon Cirder through this show. Their portrayal of Billy is just as quirky and fun as the show itself, and they’re a great addition to this cast. I also now have plenty of new drag based shows to catch up on and I can’t wait to do so.
You have to get out to see Hokus Pokus Live! These incredible artists pull out all the stops for this magical show. It’s a silly, spooky, satire full of fun! Grab your broomstick, or your vacuum, and make sure you get to see Hokus Pokus Live! when it flies into your town!
For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.hokuspokuslive.com/
Cover Photo: Jujubee, Ginger Minj, Sapphira Cristál, and Landon Cirder.
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