Ginger Minj Brews Up 'Hocus Pocus' With a Drag Twist - And Bette’s Blessing

Hokus Pokus Live! is a true love letter to the classic film, inspired by Bette Midler encouraging Ginger on the set of “Hocus Pocus 2.” As Ginger recalls, Midler told her, “I just really love the way that you do me. I would like to see you take this and run with it and turn it into something.” This enchanting new narrative production promises an evening of raucous laughter, unparalleled talent, stunning vocals, spellbinding performances, jaw-dropping drag artistry, and unforgettable entertainment as these queens and king bring their unique brand of sorcery to stages across North America. 

Ginger said previously, “We are incredibly excited to bring Hokus Pokus Live! to audiences everywhere. This tour brings together an extraordinary lineup of talent, each a master of their craft.  It’s more than just a drag show; it’s a magical theatrical experience that will leave audiences spellbound.”

This marks the third iteration of Hokus Pokus Live! but don’t expect to see the same show you’ve seen before. Ginger's masterful work as a writer will showcase new songs that connect with the characters of the story we all know and love, and adds in the magic of each new cast member that only they can bring, while still staying true to the heart of the original film. 

With a cauldron full of inspiration and Bette Midler’s blessing in her spellbook, Ginger Minj is ready to conjure up her biggest production yet. EDGE caught up with her to talk about the origins of Hokus Pokus Live!, the magic of drag, and, of course, candy corn.

EDGE: Did you grow up watching Hocus Pocus, and if so, what does it mean to you to reinterpret it in this way?

GM: I remember the summer it came out and thinking it was weird that a witch movie was being released in July, but I loved it because by the time Halloween arrived, it was playing at the dollar movie theater. It was down the block from my house, so I would ride my bike over there a couple of times a week and hand over my allowance. I watched it repeatedly. I thought it was so spectacular because I'm a Halloween person. I don't like horror. I don't like blood, guts, and gore, but I do love Bette Midler and musical theater. The film married the best parts of Halloween with Broadway for me. I wanted to be Bette Midler so badly. I probably spent $25 and watched it 25 times that Halloween season. As I developed my drag character years later, it always had references to that sassy little redheaded Bette Midler from Hocus Pocus.

EDGE: Bette Midler made Winifred Sanderson such an unforgettable character—what’s it like stepping into a role that she defined so perfectly?

GM: It's one that I always wanted to do, and then when I got to play Winifred opposite Bette in Hocus Pocus 2, we got to spend two and a half weeks together. We really got to know each other. And on our very last day together, she said to me, “I've seen a lot of drag queens do me, but I like the way you do me, so you should take this and do something with it.” I said, “Well, what?” She said, “A show or something. I don't have all the fucking answers. Figure something out for yourself, kid.” I was in heaven, and that was probably the most Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson moment I'll ever have. I didn't want to let her down, so I started developing what I felt would be a threequel to Hocus Pocus, and what would happen if these witches could come back for just one more night? Slowly, over the last three years, I have built the story, the characters, and the show into what it is now, and it has received the stamp of approval from all three witches. They really love what we're doing, and that's really exciting.

EDGE: How does that feel to have the stamp of approval from all three of them?

GM: It feels amazing what we've set out to do. We never want to make fun of these women or these characters. We want to celebrate them. We're not a parody. We're a really interesting tribute band, and we're bringing parts of ourselves and our drag characters into it, not only as the Sanderson sisters, but also paying tribute to Bette, Sarah, and Kathy. It's a big task, but it's something that I think we are really doing at a very high level, and they've seen it and really appreciate what we're doing. So, having their stamp of approval lets us know we're on the right track.

EDGE: You’ve written the show, you’re starring in it, and you’re also directing—how do you juggle casting all those spells at once, without lighting the Black Flame Candle?”

GM: Well, I'm a Virgo, so I'm naturally a control freak. But no, it's just something that was so special and important to me that I knew exactly what my vision was and what the goal was. I figured that if anybody could figure out how to blend all of those things, it would probably be me. In the first two years, we did it on a much smaller scale, and I handled everything myself. However, this year I hired my friend Tyler Scott, who is my writing partner on many of my one-woman shows, and we've been able to tag-team it, bringing even more layers and levels to the show.

EDGE: Why did you summon Sapphira Cristál and Jujubee to embody the other two sisters?

GM: When you think of Hocus Pocus, the three sisters are such specific characters that have been played by such talented women. When I thought about casting and my Drag Race sisterhood, I wanted ones who could really tap into this, and Sapphira Cristál and Jujubee were the first two who jumped out at me. They both sing, and I know that the three of us would sound really good doing these numbers together, but they also just embody who those characters are and bring me hints of the original actresses. So it was a no-brainer, and I was really thrilled that not only the two of them, but Landon Cider, who plays Billy Butcherson, joined us. They were my first three choices, and all of them said yes.

EDGE: You will be flying into a lot of cities this Halloween season. How does performing Hokus Pokus Live! compare to doing drag shows the rest of the year? 

GM: Well, it is a show with drag queens. I would call us drag trusses instead of drag queens for this, because it's a full Broadway musical. There are over 20 musical numbers in a two-act show. Numerous scripted acting moments for improvisation with the audience. We're giving them the drag race and Hocus Pocus, but we're also giving them something brand new. It's a big show with a lot of heart and full of fun, all wrapped up in a full-scale Broadway-style musical

EDGE: Trick or treat—what candy do you absolutely have to have?

GM: I am one of those crazy people who absolutely love Candy Corn. I love it. I love the consistency and the waxiness of it. It's nostalgic for me. I love the smell of candy corn, but it's also called corn. So I kind of feel like I'm eating healthy food. It's basically a salad.

EDGE: If you could cast a spell in real life, what would it be?

GM: I would cast a spell of understanding. I think with everybody being so divided right now, we need more understanding. I don't even think it comes from a place of hate. I think it comes from a place of misunderstanding. I think if we were able to just communicate with each other a little bit more and understand where we're all coming from, there would probably be fewer problems in the country and the world right now. 

EDGE: Drag has always been about transformation, exaggeration, and storytelling—why do you think it’s the perfect art form for reimagining something like Hocus Pocus?

GM: While filming Hocus Pocus 2, all three of the original actresses separately thanked us because it was drag artists who were keeping these characters alive for over three decades. Drag queens have brought these characters back to life year after year and decade after decade since the movie premiered. At the premiere, they were very kind to include drag artists who have been playing these characters for years. It's something that they appreciate, and it's never been lost on them. Now, I feel like we are the perfect vessel to take these incredible characters from these incredible women and elevate them to an even higher level.

EDGE: What message or experience do you want the audience to walk away with?

GM: Just have fun. There is so much craziness in the world right now. We want you to leave your worries at the door for a couple of hours and just laugh, enjoy each other's company, and have a good damn time.

Visit www.hokuspokuslive.com for tour dates and tickets. (VIP packages are also available)