Two years after appearing in the sequel to “Hocus Pocus,” Ginger Minj is back with a parody spin on the beloved Halloween classic.
On Tuesday, the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” veteran returns to the New York stage for two performances of “Hokus Pokus Live!” The show also stars drag performers Gidget Galore and Aria Hard and sees the trio putting a 2024 spin on the Sanderson Sisters, memorably portrayed by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker in the original film.
HuffPost caught a sneak peek of “Hokus Pokus Live!” via the below video, in which the three queens perform “The Witches Are Back.”
Watch “The Witches Are Back” below.
Forever tied to the “Hocus Pocus” franchise after appearing in the sequel, Minj ― whose real name is Joshua Allen Eads ― told HuffPost that the original film “was quite literally my childhood.”
“I begged my mom to rent it on pay-per-view, recorded it on VHS, and spent way too many afternoons alone at home in a big green bath robe with an orange towel wrapped around my head, belting ‘I Put a Spell On You’ at the top of my lungs,” she recalled. “The characters, the costumes, the quotes and the overall vibe struck a chord with an entire generation, and it’s so fun to bring that back to life for all of us who need it.”
Though Minj is quick to clarify that “Hokus Pokus Live!” is “a wholly new adventure that puts these characters in crazy new situations,” she notes that those who appreciated the “campy, creepy, powerful performances” of Midler, Najimy and Parker won’t be disappointed.
Dia Dipasupil via Getty Images
In fact, Minj says she got the impetus to do “Hokus Pokus Live!” while working with Midler on “Hocus Pocus 2,” noting: “Between takes, Bette would ask about my life, offer advice, and encourage me to ‘do something with this character … a show or something, because I like the way you do me!’ So I guess it’s Bette Midler’s fault we are doing this show.”
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“Hokus Pokus Live!” will no doubt be a return to form for Minj, who has spent much of the past year promoting “Southern Fried Sass,” which she’s described as a “memoir-slash-cookbook.” Next up for the performer is “Stan Behavior,” a short film that’s currently making the film festival rounds, along with live performances in Las Vegas, Atlanta and other cities. The ultimate goal, however, is Broadway.
With concerns over the 2024 presidential race hanging in the air, Minj vows that “Hokus Pokus Live!” will feel like “a big warm hug … from your tipsy aunt.”
“My stress levels have hit new highs these past few months, so I know from firsthand experience how therapeutic it is to laugh and sing along with a roomful of people who just want to have a good time,” she said.
“Hokus Pokus Live!” plays New York’s Green Room 42 on Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Oct. 23. The Tuesday performance will be livestreamed.