Four Inane Questions with Rennie star Jessica Dressler
Photo Courtesy of Kasi Yalon
Jessica Dressler is everything, everywhere, all at once. The omnipresent, veteran performer may be best known as her adorably crass alter ego, “Dirty Dorothy.” She’s also Ron Megee’s partner-in-crime as co-producer of Late Night Theatre—Kansas City’s shenanigan-heavy, drag parody theatre company.
And now, Dressler is poised to add feature film writer/producer/star to her never-ending resume. Her new movie Rennie has its KC premiere at the Folly Theatre on Oct. 11 & 12.
This film takes a voyeuristic look into a small town’s renaissance festival. Mayhem ensues as the movie delves into the lives of the motley crew of characters. Just like any good renaissance faire, comfortless corsets, ball sack-hugging codpiece tights, and sweltering animal pelts are on full display.
Dressler adds that filmgoers should expect plenty of comedic twists and turns. “Our beloved Rennies reveal that in a place centered around pretending to be something that you are not, everyone discovers who they are,“ says Dressler, who co-wrote and co-produced Rennie with Jen Frank Klenke.
When she’s not busy on a film set or theatrical stage, Dressler is up to her eyeballs helping clients buy and sell houses. She shared she’s become one of ReeceNichols on the Plaza’s top-producing agents.
We caught up with Dressler as she prepped for her film’s red carpet event while she simultaneously listed a new house on the market. Somehow, she also managed to answer our whackadoo questionnaire while getting us pre-approved for a home loan. She clearly puts the multi in multi-tasking. Bless.
The Pitch: What’s one ultra-mandatory thing you must eat at a fair or faire?
Jessica Dressler: Scotch! Egg! It’s the first thing I get upon arrival. Do not pass go, do not collect $200! Go directly to the scotch egg booth and procure! It’s breakfast sausage wrapped in a hard-boiled egg, then deep-fried—and it comes with a side of cheesy dipping sauce!
As I was typing, it really doesn’t sound as delectable as it is, so you have to trust me. Scotch egg for the win. Thank me after!
You can choose one disco song to be stuck on auto-repeat. What is it?
It probably doesn’t count as disco, but maybe it does. It’s “Square Biz“ by Teena Marie. I remember my mom playing this record while she cleaned the house when I was a kid. I loved sitting and looking at the pictures on the record sleeve—and then, when “Square Biz“ started, she always took a dance break with me in the living room. She’d dance like a wild banshee with me for the whole 6:26 track.
Photo Courtesy of Kasi Yalon
You’re the wacky neighbor in a sitcom. What’s your role and backstory?
I’m the new next-door neighbor business of Bob’s Burgers. I’m Sheila, and I make hot dogs. I’m a former professional weightlifter with a very competitive attitude. I’m demolishing Bob’s business until I see Linda’s sister Gail enter the burger shack.
Linda sees the crush happening as Sheila starts to stumble over her words like a 20-something in puppy love. Linda uses this to her advantage and tells Sheila she’ll set her up with Gail if she takes it easier on Bob.
This storyline peaks when Sheila finds out Gail is, in fact, not gay—which is done in a duet where I get to sing with Megan Mullally and her real-life husband, Nick Offerman. (Don’t ask me how he got there; he just did.) Then Sheila’s line cook, who has been in love with her the whole time, makes the grand gesture for her love. Happy endings for all.
In what order do you win EGOT?
I win an Emmy for Rennie once we parlay our feature film into an absolutely hilarious sitcom—much the way Taika Waitiki did with What We Do in the Shadows—and presented by Mariska Hargitay. (Did I mention our film is debuting in Kansas City on Oct. 11 & 12 at the historical Folly Theater!? Get your tickets!
I win a Grammy from Rennie—oh wait, I can’t win that as our soundtrack is 100 percent provided by the Jolly Rogers—America’s favorite singing pirate group from the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. It’s presented by Doja Cat.
I win the Oscar for Rennie. They couldn’t get enough, so they entered us in the “amazing-film-that-couldn’t-have-been-better-even-if-Meryl-Streep-were-in-it” category, which is presented by Meryl Streep.
I win the Tony for Into the Woods, playing the baker’s wife. And I also win for Rennie: The Musical. Audiences loved Rennie so much worldwide, Lin-Manuel Miranda wanted to turn it into a musical, to which we said, “Yes please—and thank you, Mr. Miranda.“ The award is presented by Bernadette Peters.
