ENTERTAINMENT:

John Waters 'Film Extravaganza' at Creative Alliance in April

Source: The Creative Alliance


Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema
The Creative Alliance is presenting an Orpheum Film Series called "The World According to Waters!" from April 2 to 27. Each of the following films will be screened at 8 p.m., with doors and bar open at 7. Admission is $5, except Sat., April 2, "Hairspray," with an "All-Star Panel," for which admission will be $10 ($7 members).

Sat., April 2: Camm Annual Maryland Movie Panel
"Hairspray" (1988, Waters) with an All Star Panel including Dave Insley, Pat Moran, Lee Gardner and Brenda Richardson. Now a Broadway hit, Waters' most accessible film blazes with trashy style and razorblade wit. Full-figured hairhopper Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) becomes a regular on the Corny Collins Show, using her star status to push for desegregation and clashing with catty Amber Von Tussle for the title of Miss Auto Show 1963. Set in Highlandtown, and starring Divine, Pia Zadora, Debbie Harry, and Sonny Bono. Also of note: in 2003, Hairspray (the musical) won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Actor and Best Actress.

Wed., April 6
"Polyester" (1981, Waters). Divine plays a dissatisfied housewife longing for a little romance. Drive-in owner Tod Tomorrow (Tab Hunter) sweeps Francine off her feet, but he's not all he's cracked up to be. Originally filmed in Odorama, imagine the scents on the Odorama scratch-and-sniff card during the film's theatrical release. It won't be too hard!

Wed., April 13
"Pink Flamingos" (1974, Waters). An illegal lesbian adoption ring and the most famous pile of dog feces in film history...Gleefully depraved, grotesquely hilarious, Waters' take on status, beauty and celebrity made him (in)famous. An all-star Dreamland cast includes David Lochary, Mink Stole, Mary Vivian Pierce, Edie Massey and Divine, defending her title of "filthiest person alive."

Wed., Apr 20
"Cry-Baby" (1990, Waters). He's a doll. He's a dreamboat. He's a delinquent. Johnny Depp is Cry-Baby, and he makes good girls want to go bad. It's the squares vs. the greasers in a rockabilly musical! With Iggy Pop and Ricki Lake.

Wed., April 27
"Desperate Living" (1977, Waters). One of Waters' most outrageous films! Crazy housewife Mink Stole murders her husband with help from her maid (Jean Hill) and escapes to Mortville, the shantytown built by designer Vince Peranio of scavenged lumber and junk. Edie Massey rules the kingdom with an iron fist and assistance from cranky pre-op transsexual Susan Lowe and her sexpot lover Liz Renay. Just $3 if you donate blood to Red Cross today at Creative Alliance (3pm-8pm, res. req'd).

This film series is co-presented by The Baltimore Movie Museum and curated by “"Orpheum” George" Figgs and Alana Roth.

Creative Alliance is at 3134 Eastern Ave in Highlandtown in East Baltimore. For more information, call 410-276-1651 or visit creativealliance.org. Online tickets are available at missiontix.com.

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This story was published on March 28, 2005.