Playhouse 615 is getting ready to serve up a deliciously twisted dose of murder, mayhem, familial dysfunction and theatrical camp as they present Charles Busch’s Die, Mommie, Die! co-directed by Daniel Vincent and Diane Bearden and onstage August 28-September 13. Before the curtain rises, JHPEntertainment put four members of the cast—Christian Swann, Zach McMasters, Deborah Seidel and Veronika Electronika—on the hot seat for a Rapid Fire 20Q covering their characters, their scene partners and the bizarre brilliance that is noir camp theatre.
RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH CAST MEMBERS OF PLAYHOUSE 615’s DIE,MOMMIE, DIE!
RAPID FIRE WITH CHRISTIAN SWANN, DIE, MOMMIE, DIE!’s EDITH SUSSMAN
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Edith Sussman is at the center of a family situation that makes the average dysfunctional household look positively well-adjusted. What was your first reaction when you got your hands on this script?
CHRISTIAN SWANN: I was completely enamored with it. The show’s so “out there” that you can’t help but wonder how people will react. The whole time I was reading through the script, I was thinking, “This line will get a big gasp,” or “The audience will go wild right here, absolutely bonkers.” And I was so excited to be playing Edith. The play is, among other things, a very screwed-up take on an Ancient Greek tragedy, so playing Edith is kind of like playing Electra, only much groovier.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re working with co-directors Diane Bearden and Daniel Vincent, with Daniel also stepping onto the stage as Edith’s father, Sol. What’s it like having one of your directors essentially say, “Okay, now I’m going to get into character and play along with you all”?
CHRISTIAN SWANN: It’s great! It’s a little surreal at times when you turn away from the directors’ table for a second and suddenly one of them is with you on stage, playing with your hair and talking about lepers and toilets and all this crazy stuff. But there’s a camaraderie to it too, like having your commanding officer with you in the trenches. I’ve never been to war, but I imagine it’s pretty much the same as community theater.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Without giving away any of the deliciously dark details, and using only one word each, how would you describe Edith’s relationship with the other members of the Sussman family?
CHRISTIAN SWANN: Including honorary family members, something like:
Angela – Obliterate
Sol – Yum
Lance – Yuck
Bootsie – Obstacle
Tony – Swampy
JHPENTERTAINMENT: There’s a fine line between camp and schlock. What’s the biggest challenge of playing Edith without overplaying Edith?
CHRISTIAN SWANN: The thing about Edith is she’s completely ridiculous. She’s this screaming, histrionic mess whose dialogue is about fifty percent exclamation marks. But she’s got these big emotions—sorrow, passion, rage—that make her act the way she does. And since Edith’s such a huge source of conflict in the play, if the audience can’t see those emotions then the show loses that sense of tension. So the challenge for me was to find those emotions in a way that gets through to the audience. Edith’s reactions had to be ridiculous, but her feelings had to be real.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you hope audiences take away from watching Edith—and this wonderfully twisted family—unravel?
CHRISTIAN SWANN: I hope they laugh, of course. The show’s a comedy after all. But I love so much about this show’s particular brand of humor is that it offers the audience a break from any notion of “morality” and “good taste,” so I hope the audience is able to put those ideas to the side and enjoy being bad for a couple hours.
RAPID FIRE WITH ZACH McMASTERS, DIE, MOMMIE, DIE!’s LANCE SUSSMAN
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Having made your stage debut last year in Playhouse 615’s The Haunting of Hill House, what drew you back to the company—and to Lance Sussman in particular?
ZACH MCMASTERS: I think anywhere you first try your hand at something creative always holds a special significance in your heart and mind. I also admire how Playhouse isn’t afraid to be a little transgressive with their show selection. When I first saw the 2026 lineup and noticed Die, Mommie, Die!, I knew I had to be involved. I first saw the film adaptation in 2007 and have never forgotten it, so when the opportunity came to audition, I knew I wanted to go for Lance. What I really love about this character is how multi-faceted he is. With Lance, there are many opportunities to take risks and just play. I’ve always been a silly goose, and Lance is a delightfully unhinged part for me to revel in!
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Let’s address the elephant—or perhaps the synthetic hairpiece—in the room. That wig in the promotional photos… was that actually supposed to look convincing, or just another obvious comedic camp moment?
ZACH MCMASTERS: Funny you should ask. What we thought was a 60s-style wig turned out to be an old we crow that must’ve accidentally flown inside the theatre one rainy day, bumped its head, and fell into a box of props. I had no idea until it bit my scalp after filming my promo videos for Lance and few away in a fit of rage. I had to get a rabies shot! Suffice to say, we procured an actual wig that doesn’t bite, doesn’t wash me out like a ghost, and more closely matches his mother Angela’s hair color.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Um…Ok…anyway, next question…What have you discovered about Lance that you didn’t necessarily see coming when you first started working on the role?
ZACH MCMASTERS: I feel like I sort of misjudged Lance at first, kind of writing him off as a one-dimensional, soon-to-be-burnout with no future. I had no idea he would emerge as being so dynamic as I got to further explore his character. Even though he is constantly berated for his lack of intelligence throughout the play, Lance is a lot more clever than he seems. He is also a very sensitive young man, and I like to think of him as becoming a successful artist or performer once all the dust settles from the drama of these events.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: This is only your second production with Playhouse 615. Does returning for a completely different kind of show feel different now that you’ve survived your first theatrical experience?
ZACH MCMASTERS: In many ways, it feels exactly the same, like picking right back up where you left off with a good friend. There’s also that same chaotic energy that makes the whole process feel so worthwhile when it all finally comes together, and I think I enjoy that the most. The major difference for me this go around is the amount of time I get to spend on stage instead of behind it. Lance has a lot more lines than Arthur Parker from Hill House, so it’s been great getting to discover myself more as a performer. It definitely helps that this show is absolutely hilarious, so memorizing a lot more dialogue hasn’t been as challenging as I anticipated.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Playhouse 615 has built quite the reputation for presenting…let’s say…slightly off-kilter shows from time to time. Is there anything in this uproarious camp classic that made you just shake your head when you first read the script?
ZACH MCMASTERS: Oh, absolutely. After our first read-through of the script, I thought, oh my, the things I have to say and do in this show… My parents can’t see this one! Aside from the outrageous dialogue, a few certain props and their particular uses had me absolutely cackling. Still do every time we rehearse! Oh, and I’ll never look at a Lazy Susan the same way again..
RAPID FIRE WITH DEBORAH SEIDEL, DIE, MOMMIE, DIE!’s BOOTSIE CARP
JHPENTERTAINMENT: As the Sussman’s loyal maid Bootsie Carp certainly knows a few secrets. What one secret you can share?
DEBORAH SEIDEL: Ooh, if I told, then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore, would it? Hmmm, I think I can safely say that one (or more) characters may be hiding a deep, dark secret. But that’s for the audience to find out, not for me to tell!
JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re once again sharing the stage with Veronika Electronika, after previously playing opposite her in Playhouse 615’s Cinderella Christmas Panto. What’s it like coming back together for something that is…shall we say,…considerably less fairy-tale?
DEBORAH SEIDEL: Well, in Cinderella, my role as the evil stepmother actually had very little interaction with Veronika Fairy Godmother until the end – when she turned my daughters and me into rabbits! Thankfully, in this play no one becomes another species, though Veronika, this time in the role of Angela Arden, certainly likes to play mind games with me and the other characters in the play. In addition, the Christmas Panto had a lot more opportunities for improv, whereas now Veronika and I get to interact with each other as authentic (though somewhat whacky) characters in a more traditional format.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What has surprised you most about Bootsie as you’ve gotten deeper into rehearsals?
DEBORAH SEIDEL: I honestly wasn’t quite sure how to approach Bootsie at first and knew I had to figure out what ultimately makes her tick. As rehearsals progressed, I think what surprised me most is how integral the role is to the story line, and how confident Bootsie is in her interactions with the family and Tony, Angela’s lover. After working for this family for 25 years, she’s not afraid to confront any of them, make strong suggestions regarding their behaviors, and to let her personal (and political!) goals be known – loud and clear!
JHPENTERTAINMENT: This show has a pretty outrageous tone. How do you keep yourself from cracking up when you’re supposed to be completely serious?
DEBORAH SEIDEL: It’s not easy, that’s for sure! And we’re only in rehearsals, without audience feedback yet, so I imagine it will only become more difficult. But the same rules apply to acting in any comedy, no matter how outrageous – hold for laughs, stay in character, focus, and if necessary, bite your (or your neighbor’s) lip!
JHPENTERTAINMENT: With Diane Bearden and Daniel Vincent sharing directorial duties, what’s most challenging about their potentially differing approaches?
DEBORAH SEIDEL: Luckily, they’ve been very much on the same page, so having co-directors has been a positive experience rather than a challenge. Diane handled most of the blocking, welcomed our suggestions, and was careful not to waste anyone’s time. When Diane was out of town for a bit, Daniel stepped in and continued that approach. They both wanted us to have fun in rehearsal while also knowing the basics: our lines, our blocking, and what motivates our characters to do such outrageous things. They encouraged us to make big, bold choices, knowing they could pull us back if needed.
RAPID FIRE WITH VERONIKA ELECTRONIKA, DIE, MOMMIE, DIE!’s ANGELA ARDEN
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Having seen you in a few prominent drag-related roles over the years, as well as many Veronika Electronika gigs, it seems there’s a bit of Veronika that inevitably seeps through, regardless of who you’re playing. What’s the most difficult part of suppressing your usual stage persona to allow Angela Arden to fully emerge?
VERONIKA ELECTRONIKA: I would say that Angela is first and foremost a lady. Always keeping up appearances and trying to maintain a balance of Wife, Mother and Star. Whereas Veronika is just…a star! So while portraying Angela I wanted to follow some advice that the playwright gave me himself, “Angela is a lady.” So I try and remember that while I am delivering my lines, and not tout them out a drag queen might, but as the lady that Angela is would.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Angela is surrounded by some pretty formidable men in this story. What’s it like playing opposite your leading men, Wanderson Rezende and Daniel Vincent, and what have you discovered about your onstage dynamic?
VERONIKA ELECTRONIKA: Each of my love interests in this show are played by 2 amazing actors, and they each play completely different characters. I think the casting was spot on! Daniel gives me a grounded, stern and comfortable man to bicker with while Wanderson has the energy and “spice” that one needs to have to play off of for the under the radar lover…I mean tennis coach!
JHPENTERTAINMENT: I noticed there’s no crew credit for wardrobe or costuming in the program information. Does that mean Angela Arden’s wardrobe for the show is courtesy of Veronika Electronika?
VERONIKA ELECTRONIKA: You may see one or two elements from Veronika’s closet on stage, however you will see new fashions as well. After 24 years in the drag industry my wardrobe is extensive and chuck full of fun and fabulous custom made creations… Why not put them to use in a production that takes place in tinsel town after all!
JHPENTERTAINMENT: And speaking of Veronika Electronika, I saw that your show bio includes your Venmo…. Is this a theatrical program bio or a not-so-subtle request for tips? Have you no shame?
VERONIKA ELECTRONIKA: As one of my muses has said “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap!” So take it as you will…tips are greatly appreciated, Veronika Electronika Merch is also available!* (*There was more to this answer, including a link, but I’m not running a charity here, so Google Veronika Electronika at your own risk!;-))
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Angela Arden is clearly not walking into this family drama without bringing some baggage of her own. What do you think audiences will find most surprising about her—and about Die, Mommie, Die! as a whole?
VERONIKA ELECTRONIKA: Angela, as an identical twin, was literally born with baggage! Surprises lay around every corner, and just when you think you know what she is up to she may just make you rethink your life choices! The story of Die, Mommie, Die! is so outrageous, so over the top and so full of laughs It will be hard for our guests to not fall in love with any or all of us. Dash to the front row if you can, it’s a real “splash zone” and where you will get the best “bang” for your buck! The home of Angela Arden Sussman is a warm, welcoming, and lavish place to get all of your just desserts!
And there you have it—20 questions, a few lies, a bit of chaos, and just plain campy outrageous fun…it’s the Sussman household way. One thing is certain: when the Sussman clan starts airing its dirty laundry onstage as Die, Mommie, Die! makes its way to Playhouse 615 at 11920 Lebanon Road, Mount Juliet, TN 37112, weekends August 28-September 13, you’ll definitely want to be there to watch it happen. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets (use the drop-down to select specific date/time). For more from Playhouse 615, check out their website or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
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