A Three-Way With Chico's Angels: The West Coast Crew Crowdfunds for Their Feature Film

After 13 years on stage vamping in their campy parodies, the trio of Latina drag queens known as Chico's Angels are parlaying the stage success of shows like their latest, Chicas in Chains, into an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for their first full-length feature film.

Chico's Angels consist of three beautiful, comedic drag queens: Kay Sedia, "The Pretty One"; Chita Parol, "The Smart One"; and Freida Laye, "The Easy One." They work for pennies for their unseen boss, just like the trio from the '70s series Charlie's Angels -- except they're more like a Latina Three Stooges in drag.

A decade of doing shows in the Los Angeles area has created a cult following for the Angels. They have had four stages series, an online web series with 1 million views, downloadable music on iTunes, plus hilarious music videos.

Now they are looking to raise $300,000 through an Indiegogo campaign for their feature film, Chicas in Chains. In exchange, they'll offer those who donate signed photos, posters, personal phone calls and the chance to have the Angels cook dinner for you and four of your closest amigas. We hope you like quesadillas!

The film is based on their current summer show, "Chicas in Chains," which played through September 6 at the Cavern Club Theater in Los Angeles' Silverlake neighborhood. The show is a two-hour comedy/musical/murder mystery as the Angels go undercover to find out who is killing off high school hookers. They soon find themselves arrested, put in jail and in a prostitution ring, which Frieda doesn't mind.

They hope to reach their funding goal in the next two months and begin shooting their film in spring of 2016. The film is budgeted at $600,000, and the Angels hope to raise the other half of the funds after potential investors see the interest among their fans.

EDGE spoke with the Angels as they prepared for their Chicas in Chains stage show, and they shared a little about themselves, their longevity, their show and the Indiegogo campaign. It's a three-way of the funniest kind (plus Chico to boot)!

EDGE: Why do you think Chico's Angels have found such longevity and success?

Chico:�It's 'cause we parody a beloved show that's endured for a few generations, and we keep it fresh with the drag twist and upended stereotypes of all kinds. Because the comedy is so broad, we tend to hit a wide demographic. People reluctant to come because of the drag usually end up leaving with a huge smile on their face.
�
Kay: It's because my booty is so transcendical, peoples can't help but look and watch. And our cases are so exciteful, peoples watch 'cause they're concerned for what gonna happen to me.

Chita: It's because our brand of show is timeless, ju know? It's funny, musical and exciting. Also, my fabulous dance moves keep them coming back for more and help the audience endure Kay and Frieda.

Frieda: I think it's 'cause I do special "favors" for some audience members after the show ...

EDGE: Why should people donate to your Indiegogo fundraiser?

Chico: Because we've worked hard for over 12 years in the basement of a Mexican restaurant, with a few close calls that fell through, and we finally decided that we'd have to do it ourselves, with the help of fans and kind peoples.
�
Kay: Because it's time for me to be a movie star! I've been in a few movies, but I want to be the star of it! Besides, selling Tupperware gets a girl only so far.

Chita: Well, I'd pay for the movie myself, but I gotta pay fines and restitution of violating a few restraining orders.

Frieda: Let's just say I'd have to do 300,000 special "favors" to pay for it, and there only so much time in a night, right?

EDGE: What's special about the upcoming movie?

Chico: It's going to be a spectacular cinematic presentation of our most popular stage episode, "Chicas in Chains," which is mutually inspired by Charlie's Angels episodes, Angels in Chains and the '80s exploitation flick "Angel": high school honor student by day, Hollywood hooker by night.
�
Kay: My chi-chis will finally be seen in their spectacular glories! It's something especial you can't even see in person -- it have to be the big screen!

Chita: It'll be a chance for my ex, Leo, to go to the movies with whatever slut he's dating and see me on the big screen, and see I don't need him! (...and it don't count as a restraining order violation for my image to be that close to him!).

Frieda: I hear it will be en color!

EDGE: Where can fans see you in the meantime?

Chico:�We are on stage at the Casita Del Campo August 27 to September 6.
�
Kay: On stage, at a Tupperware party, at my Bingo night or in they dreams!

Chita: On stage or at the Debbie Allen School for Wayward Dancers, teaching kids how to dance and pick locks.

Frieda: On el stage... or at select spots on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Who Are the Angels?

Kay Sedia was born in Tijuana, Mexico, the youngest of 18 children and the prettiest of them all. So pretty, in fact, that she won the title and crown of Miss Tijuana Natural Springs Water -- "The water that springs right through you." One of her duties was a self-guided, one-woman boat tour of the Pacific Ocean via San Diego. Thought to be dead and lost at sea, Kay emerged back into the border spotlight. It was the charity she founded, Save the Donkeys, which let her hometown know that she is OK!

She soon became romantically involved with her hunky arresting immigration officer. To prove her love to him, she joined the police academy... and failed. She then turned to high-fashion modeling, where she could make lots of money using her stylish good looks and charming personality. She had huge success with modeling girdles in the Penny Saver. After being spotted there, she was asked to join the crime-fighting trio Chico's Angels.

Kay moonlights and makes a modest living selling Tupperware (kaysedia.com) to helpless homemakers; maybe you saw her trying to help those "Real Housewives of Orange County" (Season 5, Episode 9). Kay lives her life as a detective/model/Tupperware sales lady but is the most voluptuous and the prettiest Angel of all times -- except for maybe Jaclyn Smith.
�
Chita Parol was born in East Los Angeles as a first-generation Mexican American. As the smart one -- and angry about it -- Chita keeps focused on the job except for those small moments, few and far between, where she gets to shine. She never seems to get the guy, mainly due to her anger-management issues. She's working on that, and getting better. Now she only hates everyone just a little bit. Chita fancies herself the pretty one.
�
Frieda Laye was born in what is known as La Frontera de Chihuahua, Ciudad Juarez Mexico -- or as it's come to be known across the border, "J-Town." Frieda was left under the doormat of a convent, Las Hermanas de la Madre Guadalupe de los Chavos. She realized that her destiny was to be one of Chico's Angels, and that she was to use her special abilities to fight crime as a private investigator... and to supplement her income as a private dancer as well. Frieda is proud to be one of Chico's Angels. And while she may not have the brightest halo, it is the blondest.

To donate, visit igg.me/at/ChicosAngelsMovie. For more information, visit chicosangels.com.

text