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18 YEARS WITH THE GOLDEN GIRLS; THEY ARE A SAN FRANCISCO HOLIDAY TRADITION


The 2023 GOLDEN GIRLS CHRISTMAS EPISODES dedicated to former producer and performer Heklina. Current cast featuring Coco Peru, Matthew Martin, D’Arcy Drollinger and Holotta Tymes.


Review by Vince Mediaa


It is not officially Christmas in San Francisco, until D’Arcy and her marvelous crew bring the GIRLS to the party. THE GOLDEN GIRLS CHRISTMAS EPISODES now in it’s 18th year are back and as Golden as ever. The iconic former producer Heklina passed away earlier this year and the news shocked the LGBTQ community. “It's been a difficult year but we made it back to the Victoria” said D’Arcy. It is a Holiday tradition – like the Nutcracker – and Scrooge. Four talented drag performers, cast in two classic Christmas episodes of the iconic 1985, 38 year old TV show: THE GOLDEN GIRLS, it is a perfect good time and the sold out crowds bring a party atmosphere to the Grande Victoria Theatre.


The casting change in this year’s company now features drag queen international favorite Coco Peru in the role of Dorothy. Coco has met Bea Arthur and was a great friend of Heklina, and combines both impressions. Yet I saw a clear resemblance to Bea Arthur dry demeanor in the new episodes D’Arcy chose to stage for 2023. Peru, Holotta Tymes, Matthew Martin and D’Arcy Drollinger encompass the four roommates. These drag “A” listers are joined on stage alongside Snaxx, Michael Phillis, Joshua Beld, Lauren Burgat, and of course Manuel Caneri make up the 2023 cast.


On keys the terrific Tom Shaw who plays holiday favorites during the commercial break singalongs.


The company says "The entire cast and crew of Golden Girls SF would like to dedicate the 2023 run to Heklina and Shante". As the first episode opens Holotta Tymes as Sophia and Coco as Dorothy lightly acknowledge Heklina. Sophia says “you look a little different Dorothy, is it your hair?” Coco snaps “well shit happens” - as the sold out crowd responds with cheers. The two episodes are performed for the most part as they were written. Yet a 24 minute script easily expands to an hour - with the added shenanigans with the girls and long eye rolls and mugging the audience for those extra laughs and cheers. The comic timing is always charming and to watch Matthew Martin grind her leg as she fixes her hair is perfect Golden Girls glitz. With the girls dry sense of humor and the constant giggles from the sold out audiences, each episode runs long.


The set by Sarah Phykitt and Matt Owens is a perfect Florida condo as seen in the NBC series. I have seen this set improve over the years from hand painted flats to now a complete working living room with palm trees and the iconic holiday tree. A working kitchen for Sophia to cook in, and wonderful Florida bistro look. Micheal Pereira, Glenn Krumbholz and Kipper Snacks brilliant costumes are not all that camp, but more glee and the amazing holiday sweaters will make you laugh, and you will want one. There are many costume changes, for each episode, the wiggs by Becky Motorlodge and the added Christmas sparkle by the clever Ron Brock that surrounds the Victoria stage and Tom Shaw's piano creates the holiday vibe. The lighting by Sophia Craven is highlighted by Steve Bolingers recorded music that includes the classic opening theme song to the Golden Girls.


The Golden Girls: Christmas Episodes Live!” is the perfect way to enjoy the season. Most of the run is sold out but you can sign up for single seats on a waiting list the night of each remaining performance. You can also sing the original Golden Girl theme that most everyone in San Francisco knows. During the standing O curtain call D’Arcy told the crowd referring to Heklina “I know she is looking down at us and laughing.” This is part of the holiday annual tradition in San Francisco: bring your own Santa Hat. Thank you for being a friend!



THE GOLDEN GIRLS CHRISTMAS EPISODES 2023

2023 Shows Dedicated to Heklina


Produced and Directed D’Arcy Drollinger


Featuring Matthew Martin. Coco Peru, D’Arcy Drollinger

and Holotta Tymes


with Manuel Caneri, Snaxx, Micheal Phillis, Josh Beld, and Lauren Burgat

Music by Tom Shaw


THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND!


Running time 2 hours 20 min with one intermission


MUST CLOSE DEC 23rd


The Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St San Fransico


Limited seats available 35.00 to 75.00


Photos by Gareth Gooch


CAST CURTAIN CALL



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HISTORY

The Golden Girls: Live on stage in SF started performances in 2006 in the front parlor of a Victorian Mansion in the Western Addition. The shows quickly became more and more popular with the shows being performed twice annually - for a month every June and for a month each December. As The Golden Girls became more popular, they moved to larger quarters of sold out-runs at Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory and then to CounterPULSE. In 2011 the show moved to the 500-seat Victoria Theatre, where it has enjoyed many great years to sold out houses.


The Golden Girls TV shows (which began airing 30 years ago) is an American sitcom, created by Susan Harris, that originally aired on NBC from Sept. 14, 1985, to May 9, 1992. It starred veteran TV actors Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty. The Golden Girls received critical acclaim throughout most of its run and won several awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series twice. It also won three Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Each of the 4 stars received an Emmy Award (from multiple nominations during the series' run), making it one of only 3 sitcoms in the award's history to achieve this. The series also ranked among the 10 ten highest-rated programs for 6 out of its 7 seasons. In 2014, the Writers Guild Of America placed the sitcom at No. 69 in their list of the "101 Best Written TV Series Of All Time”.







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