Miss Coco Peru is back in Los Angeles with an encore presentation of her hit show There Comes a Time, and was gracious enough to come by for a chat and share some humor, insight and wisdom. Coco Peru is a force of creative nature, and I am thrilled and honored to have her as a guest.
You have worked for and with the Gay community for 20 years; thank you!
How would you compare the community 20 years ago to the community now?
First of all, thank you! Secondly, I can’t believe 20 years has gone by so quickly and how back then it took so much less effort to look pretty. Seriously though, 20 years ago there were amazing, courageous people working in our community, and there are still people working today. I am always inspired when I do my shows at the L.A.GLBTCenterand see the kind of work that continues to happen in our community and beyond. One difference is that, nowadays, we are much more visible. We’ve had shows like Will and Grace and Queer as Folk and now we have Modern Family and RuPauls’ Drag Race. Last year I played a really great drag role on Detroit187; an aging, bitter drag queen… it was a real acting stretch! But with all this visibility now, I find it very satisfying because when I created CocoI was determined to be openly gay, a drag queen, and tell my story. I feel like I was a part of all that has come to be. I have gay people come up to me and say, “I saw you in To Wong Foo when I was 12 and I loved the way you crushed that glass” or “Trick was my first gay movie! I was 14.”
Another difference is that people are coming out at younger ages. I came out when I was 23 and I thought that was young because at that time I had met older men who hadn’t come out until there 30’s and even 40’s. A few years ago, I had an openly gay 11 year old, who had watched my LOGOspecial with his parents, write me and thank me for all I do for the LGBT community. 11! That felt good!
Three words to describe you 20 years ago?
Terrified. Courageous. Driven.
Three words to describe you now?
Terrified. Courageous. Still driven, but my feet hurt a lot more now.
What issues do you feel we have dragged our feet on within the Gay community?
From my first show back in the early 90’s in NYC I’ve been speaking out about bullying and its effects on me as I continue to do in this new show. I believed back then, as I do now, that it was a crisis and I am happy that it has FINALLY come into our national consciousness. I always believed that we were dragging behind on that particular issue and I hope that the conversation continues so that we can continue make it a safer world for all of our youth.
I also think our country needs to address other countries that have laws against homosexuality and that actually torture and kill gay people. Years ago I had a friend in the cabaret world who was so sweet and funny and I was horrified when I learned that he had actually been arrested in his own country and was awaiting execution when he managed to bribe a guard and escape. This stuff really happens.
You’re back in LA performing your latest show, “There Comes a Time,” how would you describe the audiences in LA? How do they differ from other audiences?
Before I moved here, I was warned that L.A.audiences are not “theatre” people. I expected the worst from them and ended up falling in love with my L.A audiences. I would say the only problem I have with all of my audiences everywhere I go is that people are completely addicted to their phones and they really believe that I can’t see that little blue light shining in their face as they text and check in that they are at Coco’s show. I just don’t get it, but maybe that’s just me getting older.
What has the process of touring with and creating, “There Comes a Time,” taught you?
I have really enjoyed the experience of creating this show. When I first began, I was really terrified because I thought I had nothing left to say, I felt like I had said it all. However, I pushed past that fear and started writing and found out that I still had a lot to say and it was stuff that I was very passionate about. As I’ve traveled with the show, my audiences have been just as passionate with their response and I am especially thrilled that the show speaks to old and young alike as well as gay and straight. I had a straight woman in NYC come up to me after the show and say “I am so jealous of you.” When I asked “Why?” she answered, “Because you get to say all the things we want to say.” I really took that as a compliment, although secretly I was hoping she would say, “Because you’re so fucking gorgeous!”
Where does your sense of humor come from? And how has it evolved over time?
I grew up in the Bronxaround a lot of funny people and alcoholics. Not that being an alcoholic is funny, but they were survivors and still found humor in their pain. I was much more interested in my parent’s friends then in kids my own age. I lived for my parent’s house parties and I would just sit there in awe and listen to my “aunts” and “uncles” tell hilarious stories. I really believe that was my introduction to good storytelling. Later, I was also obsessed with Bea Arthur and her comic timing. Imagine my thrill when we became friends! In There Comes a Time, I tell a funny story about speaking at her memorial in NYC. It really still amazes me that I was fortunate to be friends with my idol. How many people get to say that?
How does your creative process work? Do you start with a basic idea for a show and then write? Or, write first and a show develops?
I have some ideas when I sit down to write but it also evolves as I write. It takes me about three months to write a show and that is why it kills me when people miss it and say, “I’ll catch the next one.” I don’t think some people realize all the hard work that goes into writing and putting on a show.
But that’s what so wonderful about the power De-friending! I know that’s sad, but sometimes that’s all a girl has.
Have you ever thought of writing an autobiography? Or fiction?
I’ve been asked by many people to write a memoir but I think if I do that’ll be something I do in retirement when I’m sitting on a beach in Spainreflecting on the good old days. However, one of my goals this year is to write a short film based on a story from one of my shows.
What is the hardest part of performing? Your favorite part?
After all these years I still suffer from stage fright but I guess the biggest thrill is when I get out there, in drag, and you realize that there is no turning back and you just have to dive in and do it. That is what drag has taught me; that once I am out there, even if I go out for coffee in drag, I have to fully commit and be present and dive in. It’s really how we should all live our lives all of the time. And if I am mistaken for a prostitute while out in public getting a cup of java, all the better! Truly, I find it flattering! Hey, don’t judge! I’ll take an ego boost wherever I can find one!
While doing research for this interview I read an interview with a 1970’s drag queen called Candy James. In the interview she says, “I think the new kids who are coming up—they’re talented, but they’re missing a lot.” Would you agree/disagree?
Well, I would say that drag queens today have certainly gotten prettier. I also think that nowadays with the social networking it’s easier to get noticed, whereas when I first started you had to really come up with something different if you were going to get any recognition.
I rode the drag wave back in the early 90’s and now with Rupaul’s Drag Race, I think drag is having its 2nd wave and I think it’s great that drag is popular again. However, my one concern is that with reality TV, it seems that being on TV is enough, and I hope that drag queens don’t fall into that trap. We must continue to be creative, be outrageous, and be entertaining. After all, drag queens will be the ones to save the world in 2012. But what the hell do I know? I’m just happy that I’m still working and paying off my mortgage!
If you could change something about yourself in 2012, what would it be?
One of my favorite quotes is “You alone can do it, but you cannot do it alone.” This year I have made it one of my resolutions that I can ask for help. Since I am a solo performer and sometimes feel isolated, I forget that it is okay to ask for help, so this year I am keeping that in mind.
How’s your mother Helen? Has she seen this new show?
My mother is now 85 and she saw this show in Fort Lauderdaleand she was so proud. I always make sure the audience acknowledges her when she is at a show and the outpouring of love she gets from total strangers never fails to amaze her. I do get really uncomfortable telling some of the stories that I tell when I know she is there, especially since they are true, but she has selective hearing. In fact, a woman came up to her after the show and said, “It must be really hard for you to hear some of those things” and my mother smiled and replied, “Oh no, I just don’t hear them.”
What does being brave mean to you?
As I said earlier, I think I’m more courageous. I have a ton of fears but drag has allowed me to address those fears. In that way, I have found drag queens to be some of the most courageous/brave people I know. As I say in one of my shows, “When you transform the outer you can transform the inner, and vice versa, when you transform the inner you can transform the outer, Yes, we gender benders understand that if you have the balls to change yourself, you have the power to change the world.” That pretty much sums up CocoPeru.
What’s next for you in 2012?
I am doing There Comes a Time here in L.A.March 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Mark your calendar!
http://fla.vor.us/1117081-There-Comes-A-Time-tickets/There-Comes-A-Time--The-Renberg-Theatre-March-02-2012.html
I will also be at the VictoriaTheatrein San FranciscoApril 1st and right now, the sequel GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS 2012 is being edited and will hopefully be released this summer!
Where can my readers find you online?
People can join my email list at www.cocoperu.com for regular updates,
you can follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/themisscocoperu
and on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/misscocoperufans?v=wall
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