Kinsey Sicks convulse River Festival crowd with jokes, songs
6/13/09
FACTOID: The Kinsey Sicks will perform at 4 p.m. today on Stage II and 7 p.m. on the Eric Stein Stage in Oakdale Park. Admission by festival button.
By GARY DEMUTH
Salina Journal
Soon after the Kinsey Sicks began their first performance Friday at the Smoky Hill River Festival, they acknowledged the controversy surrounding their appearance here.
After all, they are four gay men who perform in dresses and wigs, singing songs in tight four-part harmony with such titles as "We're Going to the Chapel But We Can't Get Married."
"People are up in arms about us being here," said Kinsey Sicks co-founder Irwin Keller, who was decked out in a green dress, white gloves, pearls and a puffy brown wig as his character, Winnie. "That's because we're -- not Kansans," said another member of the four man, er, woman, troupe.
The Kinseys thanked the staff of the Salina Arts and Humanities Commission, sponsors of the festival, for being brave enough to invite them to perform. "Your applause will be comforting when they're out of work," Winnie told the crowd.
Hundreds of festival-goers packed Stage II at Oakdale Park to hear the group, who told topical jokes and sang tunes with provocative titles such as "Dragapella," "Everybody Loves a Drag Queen" and "Rent a Homo for Your Party."
The troupe also performed at 5 p.m. on the Eric Stein Stage and are set to perform two sets today: 4 p.m. at Stage II, and 7 p.m. on the Eric Stein Stage.
Let's Invite Them Back
Salinan Dale McClaskey, 80, said he laughed all the way through the Kinsey's 45-minute set and was surprised that even with the risque jokes and songs, the group wasn't more risque.
"You knew who they were, they didn't make any bones about that," McClaskey said. "But I enjoyed it. I hope they invite them back again." Salinan Terry Plumberg said the Kinseys were so impressive as women, it sometimes was hard to tell they were men. "I wish my legs were as good as theirs," she said.
Fred Phelps in a Speedo
Kinsey member Trampolina, played by Kansas City native Spencer Brown, told the crowd that the group was thrilled to be playing the Smoky Hill River Festival. "Is it a hill or a river? Or can't you tell?" he said. "No you can't, because it's smoky. Oh, but you have a smoking ordinance here, so it's the non-Smoky Hill River Festival!" The Kinseys also skewered famous and infamous Kansans, including Sen. Sam Brownback (who was referred to as Sen. Brownnose, Sen. Brokeback and Sen. Bareback), and anti-gay Topeka minister Fred Phelps.
"I love Fred Phelps, especially after winning all those gold medals at the Olympics," Trampolina said. "He looks so good in a Speedo." "A Speedo is so attractive when protesting funerals," Winnie said.
Janice Cox, visiting the festival from Springfield, Mo., thought the Kinsey's comedy needed to be taken in the playful vein in which it was intended. "It's comedy, and if you can't laugh at something, then you're way too serious," she said. "You don't have to agree with it, but you can laugh at it."
A Pleasant Surprise
Salinan Gary Martens, 51, said he was thrilled with the positive response from the audience, many of whom whooped and hollered after nearly every song or joke. "At least a few hundred of us here aren't as backwards as we seem," he said. Salinan Emily Herl, 17, never thought she'd see a drag act at the festival but was glad the group was invited to perform here.
"It was a pleasant surprise," she said. "I thought there would be more controversy, but there wasn't, and that's good." After the performance, Keller said he also was pleasantly surprised at the make-up of the crowd. "They were much better dressed than we thought," he said.
Up for the Fun of It
In a more serious tone, Keller said it was lovely that people who probably initially showed up out of curiosity ended up staying and enjoying the show.
"People were clearly up for the fun of it," he said. "I'd like to think we all were pleasantly surprised at the result." Or, as he told the crowd at the end of the Kinsey's first set, "I know we all don't see the same politically, but give yourself applause for coming and for staying."
Reporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.