MIKE JEKNAVORIAN National Interviews

HEKLINA

What does a tambourine, rats, Iceland, and a Halloween party in San Francisco have in common?  Answer: Heklina!

By Mike Jeknavorian

Where did you grow up?  Iceland, Minnesota, New York, and Boston.  What do you miss about any of those places?  I miss Iceland, because it’s the one place I can relax.  What’s something special about San Francisco that’s not common knowledge?  This is a hard question, as the city is a mess right now.  A lot of the special things have been drained away, but it’s still the city I look forward to getting back to whenever I travel.  If you had to live somewhere other than San Francisco, where would you live?  Well, I bought a house in Palm Springs, so there for sure (laughs).  Also, Iceland, and perhaps Puerta Vallarta.  What’s the most outrageous thing that you’ve ever seen at Trannshack?  Oh my god, there were so many things, it’s impossible to narrow one down.  But perhaps the first most shocking thing was when the club first opened in 1996.  A queen named RunRig popped popcorn off a hot-plate on her head, and immediately after her performance had to be rushed to the hospital for life-threatening burns to her scalp! 

ADVERTISEMENT

Who’s the most underrated drag queen?  Anyone not on RuPaul’s Drag Race.  Has drag become too mainstream and lost its send of the irreverent?  Yes.  Of all the films spoofs that you’ve been in, which one was your favorite?  The favorite thing I do is our Golden Girls LIVE production!  Who’s your favorite film performer?  Wow.  I guess Elizabeth Taylor…  Or Divine.  What’s your favorite film?  The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a film I can watch over and over.  It’s clichéd, but true.  Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now?  Data processor in the navy.  If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered?  For the things that I’ve created—Trannyshack and Oasis—and the fact that I never fucked anyone over or was dishonest in getting where I am.

What do you want to live long enough to see?  The death of Donald Trump of course!  Will you ever retire?  Yes.  What’s the weirdest question that a fan’s asked you?  Nothing seems weird to me.  What other celebrity did you act like a “fan” around?  Bjork.  What’s the last thing that you looked at online?  Porn.  What’s the best place that you’ve visited?  Rio De Janeiro.  What politician don’t you like?  I don’t like any of them!  What’s your favorite drink?  Coffee.  What’s your most treasured possession?  My cat, Dexter.  Do you believe in ghosts?  Absolutely.  Either living or dead, who would you love to have lunch with?  Judy Garland.  What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older?  Don’t sweat the small stuff, and—for god’s sake—don’t try and solve arguments online.

What did you learn from your parents?  What not to do.  Who’s your favorite performer?  David Bowie.  What’s your best characteristic?  I’m loyal, if you don’t fuck me over.  How do you enjoy spending your time?  Going to shows—concerts, theater and films—and traveling.  What celebrity do you have crush on?  Chris Evans!  Who do you admire?  David Bowie.  If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be?  David Bowie (laughs).  I love Bowie.  Where would you go in a time machine?  Back to 1975.  I was just a baby, but I’d like to be an adult during that era.  Glam rock, disco, and punk!  What would your last meal be?  Barbecue!  What do you worry about?  Climate change.  What are you afraid of?  Rats and heights.  If you were a musical instrument, what would you be?  A tambourine.  I don’t wanna be bothered too much.

Are you more like a sheep or a wolf?  A wolf, for sure.  Many boys who cross my path can vouch for that.  Who depends on you, and for what?  My cat Dexter does, for the obvious things.  My employees do, for a livelihood.  My audience…?  Who are you closest with?  Pippi Lovestocking, Peaches Christ, and Matthew Martin.  What would your autobiography be called?  That’s It?  What’s on your bucket list?  An African safari.  What’s your greatest regret in life?  Wasting all my time as a youth taking drugs and clubbing.  But it’s also the thing I remember most fondly.  What’s something secretive about you that people don’t know?  I’m actually a really nice person.  Never trust anyone who is not a cunt.  Where can we see you?  At Oasis!  Also, at the Victoria Theatre this December for Golden Girls LIVE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MIKE JEKNAVORIAN National Interviews

BEVERLEY BASS

You won’t believe what Captain Beverley Bass—the real-life pilot who was immortalized in the hit musical Come From Away—is afraid of

Where did you grow up?  In Fort Myers, Florida.  Where do you live now?  In, Argyle, Texas, which is just north of Fort Worth, Texas.  What do you like about it there?  The friendly people and the geographic location.  What’s your claim-to-fame?  In 1986, I became the first female captain for American Airlines, and now I’m a subject in a Broadway musical.  Will you ever retire?  Only when I can no longer fly jets.  How would you like to be remembered?  As a mentor who always tried to help young aviators pursue their dream.  How often are you recognized in the audience of Come From Away?  Actually, fairly often.  I think it’s my white hair (laughs).  How many times have you seen the show?  Over 90 times.  They’re going to have a party for me when I hit 100!  What 9/11 story has moved you the most?  I believe it may have been taking a pilot to Come From Away in D.C.  His father was First Officer Thomas McGuinness, who was one of the pilots on the plane that hit the North Tower [of the World Trade Center].  It was the most emotional evening ever at the show.

ADVERTISEMENT

ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING – $12.59

What’s your favorite musical?  Well, that’s not a fair question.  No doubt—Come From Away!  What’s your second favorite musical?  The Lion King.  What’s the weirdest question that a fan has asked?  “What’s it like to be a girl pilot?”  And to that I say, “Hmmm, I don’t know.  I’ve never been a boy pilot” (laughs).  What celebrity did you act like a “fan” around?  I’m not usually star-struck, so probably no one.  What’s your current state-of-mind?  I’m quite happy.  I just learned that we’re going to the opening of Come From Away in Winnipeg!  What were you doing before we spoke?  I was drinking coffee at my favorite donut shop.  What’s your idea of perfect happiness?  Warm weather and walking the streets of New York before seeing Come From Away.  What are your greatest fear?  I’m terrified of snakes, and heights!

WITH SON, TAYLOR 

What’s the last thing that you looked at online?  Well, Facebook, of course.  What’s the best place that you’ve visited, and why?  Gander would no doubt be at the very top of my list.  I love revisiting the beautiful souls of that region.  What did you learn from your parents?  That no dream is too big.  What performer do you admire?  Well of course that would be Jenn Colella, who plays me in Come From Away.  What’s your best characteristic?  Being insanely organized.  How do you enjoy spending your time?  Traveling and eating out.  What celebrity do you have a crush on?  Paul Newman and Robert Redford.  I’m an old woman.  Who do you admire?  The first female military pilots.  That was a huge break for women, and I’m jealous that I didn’t get that chance.

If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be?  My father.  He would be so thrilled to see Come From Away on Broadway.  Where would you go in a time machine?  Back to a kinder, gentler time before 24/7 news and the internet.  What would your last meal be?  A rack of lamb topped off with a pan of brownies.  What do you worry about?  My son, who’s learning-disabled and struggles through life.  If you were a musical instrument, what would you be?  A harp.  I think that they make the most beautiful music.  Are you more like a sheep or a wolf?  Absolutely a wolf.  I’ve never been a follower, like a sheep.  Who depends on you, and for what?  My family does.  And they depend on me for everything, because I’m a task-master, and I always get things done.

WITH JENN COLELLA

Who are you closest with?  My best friend, Laurie.  We met when we were 18-months-old.  What would your autobiography be called?  She Did it Her Way.  What music do you listen to when you’re upset?  Oldies from the 60s and 70s, but I’m not upset often.  What’s on your bucket list?  To go to Fogo Island in Newfoundland and to Iceland at Christmas.  What’s your greatest regret in life?  That I retired too early from American Airlines.  What’s something that you never told anyone else?  I’m pretty open, so I’m not sure what that would be.  Where can we see you?  Just Google my name with American Airlines or Come From Away, and you’ll see more than you need!

PHOTOGRAPH BY BOB TAKIS