Three Cheers for Peaches & Natasha!

Drag icon Peaches Christ will host a screening of the classic film "But I'm a Cheerleader" on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Peaches will be joined at the big, beautiful Castro Theatre by the film's star, actress Natasha Lyonne. The evening is being co-presented by SF Sketchfest.

Lyonne is proud of "But I'm a Cheerleader." The side-splitting 1999 film, a dark satire about gay conversion therapy, was released at a time when LGBT people were finally achieving real visibility in the mainstream culture. It was the second season of "Will & Grace" and a mere two years since Ellen DeGeneres' historic coming out. At the time, some people thought that Cheerleader was "daring" or "groundbreaking."

Lyonne saw the film quite differently. "It never occurred to me that it was shocking," Lyonne said, speaking to the B.A.R. by phone. "To me it's a sweet movie, a love story."

As far as the veteran performer is concerned, her character's sexuality was and remains a non-issue. "I feel so creeped out by people who say it's brave or courageous to play gay in a movie," she said. "I can't wrap my head around it. This movie is a very special moment in time for me and my best friend [co-star Clea Duvall]. I love Clea so much."

But when the film went before the public, Lyonne could see that it was more than just a sweet little indie flick. She was told by several younger viewers that the movie changed their lives. "It was then that I thought of the ramifications of this movie," she recalled. "It was helping people live the lives they live."

The actress is now a prominent cast member in the acclaimed lesbian-centric Netflix series "Orange is the New Black." "By the time Orange came along, I thought, Who cares who plays gay or straight?" she said. "The fact that this is still in the conversation is crazy!"

Peaches Christ offers her own take on the film. "But I'm a Cheerleader is a really great example of how dark comedy can help us cope and survive something awful," she said. "The whole ex-gay conversion therapy, or simply being rejected by a family or community for being queer, has been a reality for so many people for years. The film has a transgressive way of making fun of the whole notion, while also celebrating the stereotypes in a really campy, outrageous way."

Peaches feels that humor is a wonderful way of addressing some of our more serious issues. People will hear your message when they're laughing and in a good mood. "The whole concept is audacious, and the proof that it is successful is the fact that the film has a huge cult-following now," she said.

Peaches addressed the newfound LGBT visibility that was exploding at the time of Cheerleader's initial release. "It was part of the New Queer Cinema movement that really thrived in the 90s," she recalled. "So many great queer films were coming out, and I remember being super-impressed by the outrageous art direction, costuming, and overall queerness of Cheerleader ."

Lyonne and Peaches will be taking to the Castro stage as old friends. In 2010, Lyonne starred in the horror flick "All About Evil," which was shot at various iconic San Francisco locations, most notably the Victoria Theater at 16th and Mission. "All About Evil" was written and directed by Joshua Grannell, the alter-ego of Peaches Christ.

"We became close during the shoot, and have stayed good friends," Peaches said. "I feel a real connection to her because she helped me realize one of my biggest dreams, making a feature film. She also helped me to survive it."

Peaches said that she was happy for Lyonne's escalating career. "When she was nominated for an Emmy Award for 'Orange Is the New Black,' I was a screaming queen, I was so proud!"

For her part, Lyonne said that she loves Peaches, and that they both share a deep appreciation for older, classic films.

Peaches promises that there will be some real live cheerleading on the Castro stage. "I worked with Cheer SF so we do it right," she said. There will also be a live interview with Lyonne, conducted by Peaches. "Even though we've appeared together onstage in the past, I've never had the opportunity to interview her," the drag superstar said. "I'm really excited."

"But I'm a Cheerleader: The Peaches Christ Experience," Tues., Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m., Castro Theatre, 429 Castro, SF. Tickets ($25) & info: sfsketchfest.com.