So, y’all… twenty-five years of Sordid Lives! Can you believe it? And truth be told, Palm Springs is a huge reason this little film is still alive and kicking. Sordid Lives ran for 96 weeks at the old Camelot Theatre — almost two years!
I’ll never forget our one-year anniversary. Olivia Newton-John rented a tour bus and much of the cast piled on: Kirk Geiger, Leslie Jordan, Sarah Hunley, Beth Grant, Ann Walker, Newell Alexander, Earl Bullock, Rosemary Alexander, Sharron Alexis — plus producer Sharyn Lane and me. We had an ice chest full of sandwiches and “adult beverages,” because of course we traveled like good white trash on a road trip.
Most of the cast had never been to Palm Springs, and none of us were prepared for what we saw pulling into that parking lot. Fans everywhere, dressed as Brother Boy, Bitsy Mae, LaVonda, Juanita, Sissy, Wardell, Dr. Eve — and yes, one proudly waving a red bra. The “Lug Nut Club” was out in force, necklaces strung with lug nuts — each nut representing how many times they’d seen the movie.
As we stepped off the bus, we were greeted with shouts of “Do you see my pussy now?” “Shoot ‘er, Wardell, shoot ‘er in the head!” “It ain’t a workin’!” and, of course, “Lug nuts!” That night we watched the movie with full audience participation for the first time — and it was pure magic.
Palm Springs has given me endless memories: a star on the walk, stand-up gigs, productions of my plays, and a whole lot of love. And for Leslie Jordan — who became a legend here long before the rest of the world caught on — Palm Springs held a special place. As Leslie once joked, “In Palm Springs, I’m bigger than Madonna.”
And now, we’re back where it all began. On November 6th at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, we’ll kick off Pride with the Sordid Lives 25th Anniversary screening. I’ll be there with Emerson Collins, Ann Walker, Newell Alexander, and Rosemary Alexander — plus all you crazy, loyal fans. The City of Palm Springs even has a fun proclamation for us! So break out your Sordid or white trash costumes once again — we’re even throwing in a costume contest — and meet us on November 6th.
See y’all there. Ohkaaay!
