So last night, I got hopped up on Sprite and went out (gasp!) to a wonderful event, The Talkies, featuring one of my all time favorite films, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, with the creator/director/star and all-around most charming and sincerely talented man ever, John Cameron Mitchell.
The event was two screenings of Hedwig. One to watch, and one where they all but turned the sound off and John showed up, and simply entertained the hell out of the audience with his wit and occasional potty mouth. The poor thing was fighting a horrific sounding cold, and pretty much lost his voice by the end, but it was just so dang entertaining all the same.
At one point, he was asked what he was working on presently, and he said he couldn't really say, but that he was working with a big name star, and he added, "A big name Botox kind of star" and that he couldn't divulge any more about the project, to which my clever husband shouted out: "Are you talking to Phil Collins' people?" Which not only made everyone in the theater laugh, but left JCM without a good comeback. (For those of you who have seen the movie, you know why it's funny. For those who haven't, watch the Wicked LIttle Town clip on my sidebar and it'll fill you in.)
It was a good night. He dished a bit on one celeb he thought was mean and soul-less (Madonna) and he told a story from his own experience where she was really mean to one of his dear friends. Never heard celeb gossip from the inside. Funny stuff.
There was a really sweet moment when a 15-year-old girl explained how she'd written him a letter when she was in the 2nd grade, and that he'd meant so much to her life… and he invited her down for a hug and to thank her mom for being cool enough to let a 2nd grader watch the film.
[Note: Cole went through a brief Hedwig stage, but has only watched the music clips on the DVD extras. There's one scene I'm just not sure I want to be the one to explain to him. I leave that one Dan. Although one of my fondest family car trip moments was last summer, driving up to Brainerd, and all four of us were singing along to Angry Inch. And yeah, maybe not an idyllic song for all ages or personalities, but it definitely rocks. And it's brutally funny.]
In the end, it was just inspiring to be in a room with a man who created an amazing body of work—Hedwig really has taken on a life of its own—but who has the perspective to realize that if you live your whole life protecting the one thing you're known for, your life might not really be turning out exactly the way you might like.
Then he said, "What the hell am I doing here?" and turned to walk out the exit door.
sue Treiber says
that sounds really cool. I never heard of ‘talkies’ before. And yes, y’all are cool to let your kids watch HATAI!
Kristin <3 says
I love Hegwig!
and I totally get singing Angry Inch really loud in the car; it is definitely one of *those* songs 😀
Glad you had so much fun!!!
Darlene says
Try not to move out of the ‘Scrapbooking Industry’, we need your clean honest approach to preserving our memories. And we need YOU!! Your alumni from DYL are still crying ‘we miss Cathy’ all over message boards. We love your ‘be real’ interaction with us!!
Darlene
Katie says
Cathy! My eyes went wide when you mentioned “another book” – YES SISTER YES!!!
Katie, MD
DawnS says
Great interview Cathy! Can’t wait to hear more about your new class (DYL was amazing) and would love for you to do another book.
Please, please, please (whatever you decide to do) don’t move out of the scrapbook industry…we need a “clean & simple” voice out there!
Laura says
LOL sounds like a laugh-fest you needed to have! Im myself am amking pico de gallo, ala p-diddy dub-widdy, going over to the kids and watching Madagascar with the little ones! And to think I used to waste my Friday nights with a Sloe Gin fizz or two!LOL It was all fun till you puked!
Marit says
Oh, Hedwig is one of my favourite movies of all time as well. I’m so jealous you got to spend an evening with JCM!!!!
alexa says
Well hey, Ms-Stay-Inside-The-Lines, to be so IS artsy and cool! More classes at BP? Yes, please – sign me up right now. Another book? Great – I’m in the line for an advance copy. Leave the scrapbooking industry? Gulp. Absolutely your right to do so of course. But I’m sure I’m not the only one hoping you won’t … 🙂
Jennifer W. (Simple Scrapper) says
Love the movie, love the soundtrack!
Cynthia B. says
Great to read about you in the interview! I’m SO glad you put the effort into your blog – I always find it interesting and entertaining. Please don’t leave the scrapbooking industry! There would be a big void if you left…and NO, I’m definitely not talking about your size! I will definitely “stay tuned” because I enjoy seeing what you do.
Veonad says
I Love Hedwig and the Angry Inch!!! Nothing compares!!! My favorite musical sequence in the film is when they sing “Wig In A Box” and the trailer wall falls down converting it into a stage. I love it!!!!
Rebecca Cameron says
My dh has asked to post a comment on his behalf.
1. He is extremely jealous. He wished he had some an opportunity…somehow I don’t think it is going to happen here in Laos.
2. If you like Hedwig, have you seen Short Bus (dh is wondering if he should show it to me)?
3. The other thing he asks is “Have you seen ‘Priscilla Queen of a Desert’?” Not as good as Hedwig but still pretty good.
Michelle Giaimio says
Life if G00D!
Cynthia says
Oh Cathy!!! Hedwig!!! Adore that Musical!!!! And to hear John chat. He is awesome. Kills me to know I missed out on that:) Down In Rochester we don’t hear about much about these cool things up in the cities. Sunday though we have Air Supply playing at the Civic Center:) Gotta love the med city:) Your little write-up about agca was so sweet! Wow you have been getting some mad love over there! For obvious reasons. Awesome Cathy:)adore ya.
Heather says
It’s been many years since I’ve seen the film, but I know the exact scene that you don’t want to explain to your son. It was just embarrassing enough that it’s burned into my memory.