Eric: First things first: Where and when is the 2004 "Drag Volleyball" extravaganza?

Randy: Drag Volleyball will be held on Poodle Beach on Sunday, September 6, at 1:00 p.m., (or when we are finally dressed).

Eric: How early should people arrive if they want a good spot on the beach?

Randy: Thursday night at low tide, (only kidding, coming at high tide is ok). Believe it or not, people start staking out their spots around 10:30-11:00 a.m. This is why we have roped off the entire side of the court by the scorers tent, so that the lovers and friends of the players can have a great view of us in all our finery.

Eric: If (God forbid) we’re rained out, will you play on Monday?

Randy: We are not allowing it to rain, though God knows we have not had exactly the best weather in many of the past years. If however, it is too wet to play, (as it was in 2002), we will play on Monday at 1:00 p.m.

Eric: For the virgins who might be reading: What is "Drag Volleyball," exactly?

Randy: Drag Volleyball is the single most exciting, important, spectacular event that occurs each and every year not only at Poodle Beach, but the state, the nation as well as the rest of the planet! There are two teams, made up of us "regulars" who play every weekend during the summer, (if the weather is good enough for us not to be thrown off the beach by the life guards). It is mostly the same players each year, in fact someone has to die or be murdered, (my team has been trying to kill me for the last five years), for a slot to open up and someone to be chosen for a team. Each team picks a theme, which not only is revealed in their outfits, but in their entrance, skits, songs and cheers. What makes this much harder than what the average drag queen does on stage, (there’s nothing to lip synching to a record), is that we also play a great, competitive game of volleyball.

Eric: When was the very first "Drag Volleyball" game?

Randy: In 1989, my team played the first game, dressed in women’s bathing suits. Believe it or not, there are four members of that team still playing. The current format was adopted in 1991.

Eric: How long have you been participating in Drag Volleyball on the beach?

Randy: I’ve been involved in the game in one way or another for the last twelve years; but, I’ve only played since 1999.

Eric: I’m assuming that you can’t tell us anything about your costumes for this year; it’s always such a great surprise.

Randy: I could, but then I would just have to kill you and sometimes that gets messy. It has always amazed me that these themes are kept such a tight secret, especially since queens are playing. Outside of maybe twenty people from each side, no one in the entire galaxy knows what we have planned. One of my team’s biggest thrills is marching down from Queen Street every year, listening to the surprised "fans" cheer us on while commenting on our outfits. Only two people, (the theme coordinators), actually know what both teams are going to do. We never find out what the other team is doing until both groups are on the court.

Eric: But I’m curious: who comes up with the ideas each year?

Randy: It is a brutal process! We start every spring with anyone who has an idea, submitting it to our co-captains, Myrna and Barbara Ann. We then spend hours, days, weeks thinking what we can do with an idea before our team ultimately votes. Remember, it’s not just the drag that’s important. On our team, the humor factor far outweighs anything else, (except us, because we’re all fat). I have no idea what the other team does to get their theme.

Eric: What I’ve always loved about "Drag Volleyball" is that it’s not only hilarious, but also a really good game of volleyball.

Randy: I believe that’s part of the lure, and a good reason why this has become such a big event. It really is a competitive game between two rivals who HATE each other, (but only on the court, we all are actually good friends).

Eric: How do you prepare for the game? (i.e. Do you make your costumes? Are there rehearsals? Who writes the introductions? etc.)

Randy: Well, we don’t have a "Drag Volleyball" fairy, (no pun intended). We do make our outfits some years and in others we purchase what we need for our theme, i.e. Big Girl, bought that wedding dress in 2000 for almost three thousand dollars. I bought that fabulous green house dress I wore in 2001 for $3.99 at Salvation Army. Sometimes we purchase many of the props, some times we make them or have something lying around that can be used. i.e. we paid $5.99 apiece for the bedpans and urinals we used as nurses in 2002, (the yellow stuff inside the urinals was extra), but I made all of the wedding floral pieces in 2000. I had a spare sofa and the plastic flowers we used in 2001 when we were the "Trailer Park Mamas."

What do you think, we make up all of those dance steps, cheers, skits and insults as we come in? Rehearsals are a must! Barbara Ann, our team co-captain writes all of the intros, songs and cheers. She’s just a natural at it and never needs any help from us. Myrna, our other co-captain is also our choreographer. We do all try to become involved in the fine tuning process.

Eric: What was your favorite costume/theme?

Randy: Without a doubt, it was "Big Girl’s Wedding," in 2000. That was just the most lavish production we ever did. When that crowd saw Big Girl, wearing that elaborate dress, covered by a virginal veil, (like she was ever a virgin), they just screamed and cheered. Every part of that performance was perfect, from the entrance to the final point, (which we won).

Eric: What was your favorite "Time OUT" that you’ve ever performed?

Randy: The best of the best was the garter routine in "Big Girl’s Wedding." When Little Girl came out from underneath that dress, I thought the entire beach was going to wet itself. To this day, there are still people who think we buried Little Girl in the sand, hours before the game. I will say that my second favorite, was the "I Will Survive" number the next year, when we were the "Trailer Park Mamas." Myrna was great!

Eric: Why are men in dresses so damn funny, anyway? (If you want to get really "deep" with this one: is drag still relevant in 2004?)

Randy: It’s not men in dresses that’s so funny, it’s what you do in them, (God knows I’ve seen enough bad, unfunny drag in my life. This is why Drag Volleyball is so popular. We don’t just put on a frock, we perform, we entertain and we play our sport. Of course drag is still relevant, it always will be as long as men can find the right dress for the occasion, a matching pair of heels and the perfect jewelry to pull it all together, (I always prefer diamonds. They go with everything). One must remember that drag has always been part of Western culture, from the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to the present day. Today, the "drag queen" is still an important part of gay life. Why? Because in our culture, we need to be ourselves, and a man in a dress bringing gays and lesbians together is the perfect symbol for being oneself.

Eric: Why do you think that "Drag Volleyball" is such an enduring institution?

Randy: Because it’s FREE! Every single event in Rehoboth Beach, no matter what it is, charges or tries to raise money for something. Besides, what else do you do after you’ve spent your next month’s rent money the night before at the Sundance Auction and are preparing yourself for the big Sundance?

Eric: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.

Randy: On behalf of all those who are involved in Drag Volleyball, we thank you all for coming and cheering us on. We hope you have a good time!