Prepare yourselves for a journey beyond the stars like no other. For six performances beginning May 1 at Oasis, immersive events company Media Meltdown will present “Select Thine Own Journey…In Space!,” which the producers are calling an interactive science fantasy drag show.
Media Meltdown has been around for a while. They host film screenings at the Balboa and 4 Star Theaters in the Richmond District. According to Piranha Psychotronica, who is one half of Media Meltdown’s producing team, the films shown are usually cult or underground films which have a following or deserve to have a following.
“We show a lot of really low budget stuff,” Psychotronica said in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter. “Underground foreign films, made-for-TV movies, straight-to-video films, VHS and DVD games, and more. Our whole thing is that in this era of studio-driven, big budget, computer-generated slop, we want to celebrate things that are truly independent and handmade or homegrown or just represent something unique.”
But Media Meltdown didn’t stop at film screenings. Most of their screenings include live performances featuring Psychotronica, Kafka X, the other half of Media Meltdown, and other drag performers doing numbers. They have even included bands.
Fantastical comedic shows
Among many other projects, Media Meltdown has also produced immersive live parties at venues such as The Stud, Make Out Room, and Oasis. And now they’re doing “Select Thine Own Journey…” a series of interactive plays.
“‘Select Thine Own Journey’ is our baby and we’re so proud of what we’ve been doing on these shows,” said Psychotronica. “They’re these fantastical comedic interactive stage shows that combine traditional theater with drag, improv, music, dance, and more. The show gives the power of choice to the audience, making them a character in the show.
“At key points in the story, Kafka X, who plays the Storyteller, our host and an important character in the show, stops the action and the audience gets to make a choice that will direct the outcome of the performance. Each show usually has three or four endings, but every path is a really fun and wild ride.”
Psychotronica promises that the show will feature a cornucopia of drag performances. Besides Kafka X as the Storyteller, the supporting cast includes musical artist Another Bard, circus performer Landyn Endo, burlesque superstar Edie Eve, Emily France, Dot Comme, Heiress Throttle and Lucinda Puss.
There will also be a special guest star each night, such as Coco Buttah, Lisa Frankenstein, KaiKai Bee Michaels, Mudd the Two Spirit, Nicki Jizz and Snaxx, in that order.
“They’ll find out live in front of the audience what’s in store for them,” Psychotronica said. “We brief each of them with only the bare minimum amount of information, mostly guidelines to follow and to keep them and the other performers safe during dance and fight sequences. But they’re all extremely funny people so I know they’ll kill. Plus, all our guest stars from the first weekend are returning cast members from prior shows, so they know the score. The rest of us are working extremely hard behind the scenes to be as ready for them as possible.”
Psychotronica hopes that the show’s humor will help people forget, at least for a little while, the horrors going on in the country right now.
“Things are really scary in the country right now,” she said. “People have a real immediate threat to their safety by our own government. With ‘Select Thine Own Journey…In Space!’ our number one goal is to bring some laughter and joy to our audiences because that is how we all recharge and build the strength needed to resist.
“The show has clear anti-fascist themes, and, with ‘Select Thine Own Journey’ one of the things we really honed in on from day one was that everyone should have the freedom of choice and that, by inviting the audience to be characters in these fantastical shows, we hope they remember they have the power to change their reality and resist the powers that seek to oppress them.”
‘Select Thine Own Journey…In Space!’ May 1-3, 8-10, 7pm, $35-$50, Oasis, 298 11th St. https://www.sfoasis.com/
https://mediameltdown.tv/
Never miss a story! Keep up to date on the latest news, arts, politics, entertainment, and nightlife.
Sign up for the Bay Area Reporter's free weekday email newsletter. You'll receive our newsletters and special offers from our community partners.
Support California's largest LGBTQ newsroom. Your one-time, monthly, or annual contribution advocates for LGBTQ communities. Amplify a trusted voice providing news, information, and cultural coverage to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay. Donate today!
