The Thrillpeddlers

I fell in love with The Thrillpeddlers in Shanghai of all places earlier in the year (during their run of The Cockettes Pearl Over Shanghai).This group is so tight and amazing. We went a second time for the same show with different people doing different parts and it was still flawless. They are just finishing their 15^th anniversary of Shocktoberfest and it was just as sensational, we went twice to this show as well with the cast doing different bits. First time with musical puppet show about Joan of Arc.
They also invite touring groups to perform. Dr Frankenstein’s Traveling Freakshow was a real gut buster.
We love the Turkish lounge seating but there’s really not a bad seat in this 45 seat house.
I look forward to their shows in 2015 and beyond.

I can’t say enough great things about Thrillpeddlers and the two productions I’ve seen: Pearls over Shanghai and now Vice Palace. Both were over the top re music, acting, costumes, staging just generally everything else! My husband and I are so thrilled to have found this group and we won’t miss a single production in the future. Seriously, where on earth can you have this much fun and entertainment for just $ 30 (with a cast of at least 18+ members, I have no idea how they manage such a fabulous performance for such a nominal fee) — go see them!!!

Another smash hit from the amazing ensemble theater company Thrillpeddlers and a logical follow-​up to their long running Pearl’s Over Shanghai. This theater company is a superb ensemble with 17 or 18 members taking the stage in a significant role that features Leigh Crow, Flynn DeMarco, Birdie-​Bob Watt, Steven Satyricon, Eric Tyson Wertz, Ste Fishell, L. Ron Hubby, T. J Buswell, James Toczyl, Joshua Devore and producer/​director Russell Blackwood. Vice Palace is the last work created and presented by the only in San Francisco, legendary Cockettes and it’s a work well worth taking the time to see during this run. Thrillpeddlers last big hit was the long running Pearl’s Over Shanghai, also by The Cockettes and also featuring direction by Russell Blackwood and music in both these productions by original Cockette and local musical genius Scrumbly Koldewyn.
The Cockettes apparently based Vice Palace on the Edgar Allan Poe short story, «The Masque of the Red Death» but audiences of a certain age will notice the similarity with Fellini’s brilliant, buoyant «La Dolce Vita» from the 1960’s. This production is ‘mad fun’ and worth at least double whatever price the tickets cost because the production values are so damned high. Russell Blackwood is an exceptional director as well as performer and guides his team through their musical paces with with, charm and gut busting humor. Scrumbly Koldewyn plays the piano and even solo’s on one of his biggest hit songs, «Midnight in Manhattan» performed on their television show by Manhattan Transfer who just happened to be in the audience the night of my visit. No spoiling this adventure for you, but let’s just say that the story is set to music, dance and occasional nudity which adds the perfect seasoning to the rich, thick, voluptuous story. Costumes, make-​up, hair, wigs, choreography, sets and energy are imaginative, exciting and actually thrilling so Vice Palace is a true must see and if they enjoy the success they had with Pearl’s Over Shanghai, it’s going to be a long, sold out run. Thrillpeddlers is the most exciting small theater ensemble working today in San Francisco, now support their brilliant work.