Interview: For CHICO'S ANGELS' Kurt Koehler, It's All About the Angels

Kurt Koehler and Oscar Quintero partnered up in 2003 to give birth to the outrageous, laugh-inducing comedy troupe of Chico's Angels, a most loving homage to TV's crime-fighting Charlie's Angels. Kurt found some time readying CHICO'S ANGELS FIVE-O: WAIKIKI CHICAS! between juggling wigs, sequins and demanding divas to chat with BroadwayWorld and myself.

Thanks for doing this interview with me, Kurt!

Your latest edition of Chico's Angels premieres August 25, CHICO'S ANGELS FIVE-O: WAIKIKI CHICAS! Will you tell our BroadwayWorld readers, what the audience can expect from this episode?
Expect the impossible! We've been wanting to do this episode for over seven years, but we would get overwhelmed. So we overwhelmed ourselves to actually write. Sand, surf and wahinis! In our first read-through, there were sooo many laughs!

What originally inspired you to transform Charlie's Angels to Chico's Angels in 2003?

It was Oscar's two passions Charlie's Angels and beauty pageants. I just wanted to direct something new and Oscar said if I help him write, I can direct. And the rest is, as they say, "Herstory." Who knew we'd still be doing this 13 years later.

How did you and Oscar come up with the Angels' names Kay Sedia, Frieda Laye, and Chita Parol?

Kay Sedia was born in "Quest for the Crown." Oscar had Chita Parol in mind, but Frieda Laye was originally "Puta". Frieda Laye's name was born sitting around with our friend James Gray.

You like to be in the show on stage, kinda like Alfred Hitchcock - only funnier, with dialogue, and for longer periods of time. Is it easier or harder to direct yourself than directing the Angels?

Well, first of all, I will not be in the brand new episode. I need to sit outside of the piece and finessé it. I can step into any role at a moment's notice, and I have. Directing the Angels is harder, because they need the rhythm of the show, and once that is handled, I can double-dutch my way in.

How many different episodes of Chico's Angels are there now?

FIVE-O. It's in the title, Gil.

Of course, it is, Kurt! How cleverly hidden, it is! So, here's a Sophie's Choice question for you: pick your all-time favorite episode and why?

Hands down CHICO'S ANGELS 2: LOVE BOAT CHICAS. I love Charo! I love the disco and I love the story. Everyone falls in love, one way or another. It makes me happy.

I've noticed you don't list a costumer or a wig credit in your programs. Does each Angel provide/coordinate their own?

Actually, we hired a wig wrangler, Glen Allen. Most wigs are styled already and Glen fixes them each week. Craig Taggart just signed on as our much needed costumer/wardrobe fixer-upper. It's just too much sequins and rhinestones for the Angels to deal with each night!

Each of your episodes includes a hunky character who eventually loses his shirt. What do you look for in casting your hunks?

Hot body....and brains. I mean, "Can you say lines?"

To what do you attribute the same three actors staying with the Angels' roles after all these years?

Well, the show was always funny, but until we had these three together, we found our chemistry. It's like birthing The Three Stooges, it just works. I do remember the moment at rehearsal when we put these three together. All four of knew and felt it.

You get celebrities in your audience fairly frequently. Who is the most surprising name to show up and what was their reaction to the show?

It's always great when celebrities show up and then they are generally amazed by the show. Charo finally came and we were over the moon. She came up on stage during our curtain call. It's on YouTube.

What immediate plans for the Angels are you cooking up?

We have a seventh draft of our feature film making the rounds. Fingers crossed, we could shoot this year.

How did you come up with the name of your production company "Shiney Kumquat"?

In episode one, Kay announces her favorite color to be "shiny", and I stepped into the role of Cecil Kumquat. Hence the name.

Thanks again, Kurt!

CHICO'S ANGELS FIVE-O: WAIKIKI CHICAS! premieres on August 25, 2016 and runs through September 4, 2016 at the Cavern Club Theater inside Casita Del Campo Restaurant (1920 Hyperion Ave, Silverlake, CA 90027). For show dates, times, and tickets; log onto: www.ChicosAngels.com

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