an Artsy Fartsy interview: DIEGO SANSON

He's performed in various forms of ladies' underwear onstage and off for over 20 years now; he's marched miles in make-up & heels in gay pride parades; and he recently werked the runway for a cause in a corset and platforms like nobody's business! Oh, and did I mention that he's straight?

Who is it? None other than the Long Beach Art Theatre's current reigning Frank-N-Furter, the deliciously demented diva, Diego Sanson! I recently got a chance to catch up with the performer during this quick Q&A sesh...

AFB:  How long have you been performing in a Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast?

DS: "I've been doing Rocky Horror for 20 years now. I know...too long."

Diego explains to me that the cast had to change their name a few years back from Midnight Insanity to Rocky Horror at the Art Theater Long Beach, due to an attempt to be sued for the name by a disillusioned ex-cast member..."but we are the same cast though."

AFB:  What or who initially drew you into this crazy troupe?

DS: "I was an audience member and got picked to do a "Rookie" show- and have stayed ever since."

AFB:  How long have you been playing 'Dr. Frank-N-Furter'? What do you enjoy most about playing this character?

DS: "About 7 years. I like becoming somebody else for a couple of hours...and you can get away with a lot, especially when you're in drag."                                                                                                      

AFB:  You recently worked with and developed a friendship with Richard Elfman, creator of the cult classic Forbidden Zone (and co-founder of Oingo Boingo) when a shadowcast performance was put together for the film... What was that experience like? 

Diego performing onstage with Richard Elfman

DS: "Incredible!!! Best thing ever!! One the coolest things ever to happen to me."

AFB:  Are there plans to do more with Richard and'Cell 51' (the name of the Forbidden Zone shadowcast)? 

DS: "Yes...sometime in early 2014."

AFB:  Awesome! Can't wait to see more. Have you run into any issues or obstacles in your life due to basically being a straight drag queen? What have you learned the most about yourself by wearing ladies' undies?

DS: "Well....my mother still hasn't accepted me about me dressing up. She doesn't like it. And trying to be pretty is really hard!!"

AFB:  Tell me about it, gurl! So what, if any, are your hopes & dreams for the future, as far as performing is concerned?

DS: "Going to keep doing this until my body and mind give up. I love performing. It's addicting. And maybe, hopefully, make a career out of it one day...not sure what yet..."

Well, pretty-please Mr. Sanson- keep doing what you're doing- because we love it!

Diego sites B-movie maker Ed Wood (a pioneer in the area of "hetero" cross-dressing) as a personal hero.