Identical Cousins

Identical Cousins returns to the Crystal Ballroom / Somerville Theatre with a multimedia, omni-holiday spectacle celebrating the oeuvre of the hilarious, fabulous, one-of-a-kind Catherine O’Hara (1954-2026). Catherine O’Hara Tribute: Home for the Holidays (all of them!) is a Crystal Ballroom evening both deeply reverential and delightfully irreverent, capping off a weekend screening all-time great films in her comedy canon.

The world lost this hothouse genius and high-wire fashionista far too soon. We invite a cortège of her adoring mourners to flock to this variety show-cum-costume party, simply chockablock with music, comedy, dancing, drag, puppets, and hilarity. It’s impossible to imagine another Christmas, Halloween, or Purim without O’Hara — so we decided to mainline an entire year of holidays with her in this Sunday 8/23 ballroom extravaganza, to emotionally prepare.

Get habilimented in your finest, high-camp-iest CO’H drag. Category is: Delia Deetz realness, Lola Heatherton disco chic, the nosebleed heights of Moira Rose headgear, Sally’s nightmare garb, or any classic character you can reimagine. We’ll have a dance party break with Uncertain.FM / ex-Red Sox / ex-Patriots / current-Bruins DJ TJ Connolly before the entire audience is invited to attempt “scene karaoke,” where you do all the line readings — whether you’d like to redecorate an L.L. Bean hellscape as Beetlejuice’s Delia and Otho, “fold in the cheese” in a Schitt’s Creek cozy cooking corner, or drunkenly broadcast intimate medical details across a Chinese restaurant as Waiting for Guffman’s Sheila Albertson.

The whole congregation is invited to sip Herb Ertlinger Fruit Wine-inspired signature cocktails, and inhabit an old-timey sexy xmas special with comedy host Keira Horowitz, bewigged chanteuses Noell Dorsey and Hayley Thompson-King, and middle-aged men helper-dancers. One Very Special Guest will be drag burlesque artist Celia Smokinbutts as avant-garde sculptor / unwilling city transplant Delia Deetznbuttz. And everyone will sing along to a touching “Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” with an all-star band: Red Sox organist Josh Kantor, Somergloom / SEA’s Stephen LoVerme, BUFF / Lobby Guac’s George Luke, Julee Cruise Director’s Slamz Slusser and Identical Cousins Emily Arkin & Bridget Duggan before we all pop Christmas pills with 8 minutes to safely stumble to the door. 

The variety show serves as the grand finale to a weekend-long mini-film festival in 35mm at the Somerville Theatre. Experience O’Hara’s most iconic turns on the big screen, like her trio of unforgettable characters from the holy trinity of Christopher Guest mockumentaries and an unhinged Mister Softee driver in Scorsese’s up-all-night picaresque.

• Friday, August 21: BEETLEJUICE (plus bonus SCTV greatest hits!)
• Saturday, August 22: double-feature Christopher Guest’s WAITING FOR GUFFMAN and Martin Scorsese’s AFTER HOURS
• Sunday, August 23: double-feature BEST IN SHOW and A MIGHTY WIND

So quit pettifogging, home alone like a timorous grinagog — nay, a disgruntled pelican! — and snatch a ticket before this dirigible has ascended. Event proceeds donated to cancer research.

Identical Cousins are back with a new pop culture love letter—this time a three hour tour through the smooth seas of the YACHT ROCK LAND CRUISE! This ultimate after-party is the perfect sunset to the Somerville Theatre’s “Smooth Cinema: Films with the Yacht Rock Sound.”
Join us on the Aloha Deck of the Crystal Ballroom Friday, April 12, 7:30pm after screening the classic ARTHUR downstairs. Set sail for an evening of nostalgia, entertainment, and tunes that feel like cruising the Pacific with the wind in your hair and a frozen daiquiri in your hand.
Come dressed in your best nautical, caftan, or vintage resort wear and participate in our costume contest. Enjoy a set from our house band, YOURS TRULY, and then take to the stage yourself for live band karaoke backed by the band. Then drag and burlesque performances from the fabulous CELIA SMOKINBUTTS.

Screen ARTHUR at Somerville Theatre followed by YACHT ROCK After Party in Crystal Ballroom.

FRI APR 12 2024 7:30pm DOORS to PARTY (Arthur MOVIE 6:15 pm) YACHT ROCK LAND CRUISE! (TICKETS) Crystal Ballroom / Somerville Theatre SOMERVILLE, MA

But wait, there’s more! TD SIDELL of Upright Citizens Brigade NY is your captain for the evening—prepare for hijinks that’ll have you chuckling all the way to the tiki bar. We’ll have a special cameo from the INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF MRS. ROPERS, in all their caftaned glory, who take you “Inside Helen’s Closet” for a makeover. And for those who prefer a more laid-back vibe, we’ve got shuffleboard courtesy of ROYAL PALMS SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB BROOKLYN and photo booth installations to transport you to a retro paradise.
Grab your Hawaiian shirt, a captain’s hat, and your best pair of aviators, because the YRLC is about to leave port and you won’t want to miss the boat! COSTUME CONTEST, LIVE BAND KARAOKE, DRAG PERFORMANCES, BURLESQUE, COMEDY, SHUFFLEBOARD, PHOTO BOOTHS, and more!
Tickets are flying with a strong tailwind, so grab a place at one of the captains tables on the Aloha Deck by heading over to the Crystal Ballroom website. Sign up for the limited number of live band karaoke spots to show off your most AM gold vocal stylings!