Photo Flash: Bond & Reno Visit Theatre 80 for VICE PALACE: THE LAST COCKETTES MUSICAL

Performance artist Reno (Rebel Without a Pause), Tony-nominee Justin Vivian Bond (Kiki & Herb: Alive on Broadway), and Robert Croonquist (associate producer of 2002 documentary "The Cockettes") were among the theatergoers at Theatre 80 (80 St. Marks Place) on Friday night where San Francisco's acclaimed Thrillpeddlers performed a concert version of the cult hit VICE PALACE: THE LAST COCKETTES MUSICAL, as part of HOWL! Arts Project 2011.

With a book by Martin Worman and music composed by Richard "Scrumbly" Koldewyn, VICE PALACE was originally performed by The Cockettes during Halloween 1972. This revival, starring the Thrillpeddlers, has been extensively revised by Koldewyn, with additional material that
originally appeared in past Cockettes productions. VICE PALACE: THE LAST COCKETTES MUSICAL is loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" and Roger Corman's 1964 film of that name. It also gives a stylistic nod to the early 1960s films of Frederico Fellini. Thrillpeddlers have been performing authentic Grand Guignol horror plays, Theatre of the Ridiculous, and lights-out spookshows in San Francisco for nearly 20 years. Russell Blackwood directs an ensemble led by Leigh Crow.

Next performance of VICE PALACE: THE LAST COCKETTES MUSICAL will be Saturday, October 22 at 11 PM, as part of HOWL! ARTS PROJECT 2011, at Theatre 80 (80 St. Marks Place). Tickets are $15; online at www.brownpapertickets.com or cash at the door.

HOWL! Arts Project 2011 continues through October 31. For more information, visit www.howlfestival.com