{{Italic title}} {{Infobox comedian | name = ''Chico's Angels'' | image = Chico's Angels.jpg | image_size = 300px | caption = Title characters of ''Chico's Angels'' (from l. to r.): Quintero as Kay Sedia, Garcia as Chita Parol, and Casillas as Frieda Laye. | active = 2003–present | genre = Comedy, drag queen, LGBT | subject = Parody | website = {{URL|http://www.chicosangels.com/}} }}
'''''Chico's Angels''''' is a live comedy production in Los Angeles which parodies the 1976–1981 television series ''Charlie's Angels''. Starring three drag queens in the title roles, the show has been performed regularly at the Cavern Club Theatre in Silver Lake since July 25, 2003. It was co-created by Oscar Quintero, who performs as one of the leads, and Kurt Koehler, who also directs the show.
==Overview== Like ''Charlie's Angels'', the show focuses on three female private detectives who investigate crimes on assignment from their mysterious boss, whom they have never seen in person. In ''Chico's Angels'', the ladies are brassy, gaudily dressed Mexican women who often insult and argue with each other.<ref name="BWW 2014-07">{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/CHICOS-ANGELS-Opens-Tonight-at-the-Cavern-Club-Theatre-and-Runs-Through-817-20140711 |title=''CHICO'S ANGELS'' Opens Tonight at the Cavern Club Theatre and Runs Through 8/17 ("Love Boat Chicas") |website=BroadwayWorld.com |date=July 11, 2014 |access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Official episodes">{{cite web |url=http://www.chicosangels.com/Angelcases.htm |title=''Chico's Angels'': Case Files |website=ChicosAngels.com |access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> BroadwayWorld.com described it as "a Latino drag queen/Three Stooges version of the 70s series",<ref name="BWW 2014-07"/> and Siran Babayan wrote in ''LA Weekly'', "It’s like an Agatha Christie novel, only with drag queens."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.laweekly.com/event/chicos-angels-2-love-boat-chicas-5442828 |title=''Chico's Angels'' 2: Love Boat Chicas |first=Siran |last=Babayan |work=LA Weekly |date=March 2015 |access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> TMZ said, "Imagine if the Angels were a bit more masculine, a whole lot trampier and spoke English as a second language."<ref name="TMZ">{{cite web |url=http://www.tmz.com/2007/07/25/charlies-angels-run-for-the-border/ |title=Charlie's Angels Run for the Border |publisher=TMZ |date=July 25, 2007 |access-date=July 31, 2015}}</ref> Bill Raden wrote for ''LA Weekly'', "this trio of blowsy, somewhat earthier angels comes with cha-cha heels on their gumshoes, a decidedly bitchy attitude and a virtue that can be summed up in one word—cheap".<ref name="LAW 2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.laweekly.com/calendar/chicos-angels-chicas-in-chains-2167289 |title=''Chico's Angels'': Chicas in Chains |work=LA Weekly |first=Bill |last=Raden |date=October 7, 2010 |access-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref>
==Cast== * Oscar Quintero as Kay Sedia,<ref name="BWW 2014-07"/> the self-absorbed and curvaceous former Miss Tijuana Natural Springs Water * Ray Garcia as Chita Parol,<ref name="BWW 2014-07"/> the smart and assertive Angel who has both a personal and professional rivalry with Kay * Danny Casillas as Frieda Laye,<ref name="BWW 2014-07"/> the most promiscuous and least intelligent Angel * Alejandro Patiño as Bossman,<ref name="BWW 2015-04">{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/BWW-Reviews-Hop-on-Board-CHICOS-ANGELS-2-LOVE-BOAT-CHICAS-for-a-Two-Hour-Non-Stop-Laugh-Fest-of-70s-Nostalgia-20150406# |title=BWW Reviews: Hop on Board CHICO'S ANGELS 2 LOVE BOAT CHICAS for a Two-Hour Non-Stop Laugh Fest of '70s Nostalgia! |first=Gil |last=Kaan |website=BroadwayWorld.com |date=April 6, 2015 |access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> the Angels' handler who joins them in their investigations (the show's equivalent of David Doyle's "Bosley" in the original series) * Mr. Dan as the voice of Ricardo "Chico" Torrez,<ref name="BWW 2015-04"/> the Angels' employer (the show's "Charlie")
In 2011, Jai Rodriguez of ''Queer Eye'' briefly portrayed Chita in "Love Boat Chicas" for a week of LA performances and two weeks in San Diego.<ref name="Rodriguez 2011">{{cite web |url=http://lgbtweekly.com/2011/08/11/after-queer-eye-jai-rodriguezs-current-role-is-a-real-drag/ |title=After ''Queer Eye'', Jai Rodriguez's current role is a real drag |first=Jonathan |last=Young |work=San Diego LGBT Weekly |date=August 11, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910210700/http://lgbtweekly.com/2011/08/11/after-queer-eye-jai-rodriguezs-current-role-is-a-real-drag/ |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Charo, who is parodied in that "episode", watched one of these LA performances and, according to Rodriguez, "loved it".<ref name="Rodriguez 2011"/> Daniel Edward Mora portrayed Bossman for an October 2015 run of "Chicas in Chains",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/chicosangels/posts/10153251242953435 |title=Actor Daniel Edward Mora (''The Bridge'') has joined the ''Chico's Angels'' family as Bossman for this special Halloween run of Chicas in Chains!!!! |publisher=Facebook |date=October 30, 2015 |access-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref> as well as the August/September 2016 initial run of the fifth episode, "Waikiki Chicas".
The rotating cast of guest stars in supporting roles has included Koehler, Shelley Hennig, Natalie Lander, Cher Ferreyra, Beth Leckbee, and Duke Shoman.<ref name="BWW 2014-07"/><ref name="LAW 2010"/><ref name="BWW 2015-04"/><ref name="BWW 2015-07 Hennig">{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/TEEN-WOLFs-Shelley-Hennig-to-Join-Chicos-Angels-in-CHICAS-IN-CHAINS-This-Month-20150713# |title=TEEN WOLF's Shelley Hennig to Join CHICO'S ANGELS in 'CHICAS IN CHAINS' This Month |website=BroadwayWorld.com |date=July 13, 2015 |access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref><ref name="BWW 2015-07 Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/BWW-Reviews-CHICOS-ANGELS-3-CHICAS-IN-CHAINS-Hold-Ju-Captive-for-Two-Hours-of-Side-Splitting-Hilarity-20150720 |title=BWW Reviews: CHICO'S ANGELS 3: CHICAS IN CHAINS Hold Ju Captive for Two-Hours of Side-Splitting Hilarity |first=Gil |last=Kaan |website=BroadwayWorld.com |date=July 20, 2015 |access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref><ref name="BWW 2015-07 Photo">{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmovies/article/Photo-Flash-Pageant-Queens-Attend-Chicos-Angels-CHICAS-IN-CHAINS-20150725 |title=Photo Flash: Pageant Queens Attend CHICO'S ANGELS' 'CHICAS IN CHAINS' |website=BroadwayWorld.com |date=July 25, 2015 |access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> Eden Espinosa and Steven Hill have appeared in webisodes.<ref name="Official episodes"/>
==Episodes== Between 2003 and 2016, four individual shows (called "episodes") were produced, and performed individually in rotation. A fifth episode called "''Chico’s Angels'' Five-0: Waikiki Chicas" debuted in August 2016.<ref name="Five-0">{{cite web |url=http://chicosangels.tix.com/Event.aspx?EventCode=891114 |title=''Chico's Angels'' Five-0 "Waikiki Chicas" |website=ChicosAngels.com |access-date=July 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720164215/http://chicosangels.tix.com/Event.aspx?EventCode=891114 |archive-date=July 20, 2016}}</ref>
{{Episode table |background=##FF52AF |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |episodes=
{{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 1 |Title = ''Chico’s Angels'': Pretty Chicas All in a Row |DirectedBy = Kurt Kohler |WrittenBy = Oscar Quintero & Kurt Kohler <ref name="Official episodes"/> |ShortSummary = The Angels go undercover at the Miss Kumquat Pageant to discover who is murdering the contestants.<ref name="Official episodes"/><ref name="BWW 2013-11">{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/Chicos-Angels-PRETTY-CHICAS-ALL-IN-A-ROW-to-Return-in-November-for-8-Shows-20131120 |title=Chico's Angels' PRETTY CHICAS ALL IN A ROW Returns Tonight |website=BroadwayWorld.com |date=November 21, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.laweekly.com/calendar/perfect-angels-4137387 |title=Perfect Angels |first=Siran |last=Babayan |work=LA Weekly |date=November 21, 2013 |access-date=September 4, 2015}}</ref> |LineColor = FF52AF }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 2 |Title = ''Chico’s Angels'' 2: Love Boat Chicas |DirectedBy = Kurt Kohler |WrittenBy = Oscar Quintero & Kurt Kohler <ref name="Official episodes"/> |ShortSummary = The Angels go undercover aboard the Love Boat to find out who is trying to kill performer Charo.<ref name="Official episodes"/><ref name="BWW 2015-04"/> |LineColor = FF52AF }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 3 |Title = ''Chico’s Angels'' 3: Chicas in Chains |DirectedBy = Kurt Kohler |WrittenBy = Oscar Quintero & Kurt Kohler <ref name="Official episodes"/> |ShortSummary = Undercover at a prep school to investigate a string of hooker murders, the Angels find themselves in jail.<ref name="Official episodes"/><ref name="BWW 2015-07 Hennig"/><ref name="BWW 2015-07 Review"/> |LineColor = FF52AF }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 4 |Title = ''Chico’s Angels'' 4: Chicas Are Forever |DirectedBy = Kurt Kohler |WrittenBy = James Edward Quinn, Oscar Quintero & Kurt Kohler <ref name="Official episodes"/><ref name="LAW Forever">{{cite web |url=http://www.laweekly.com/calendar/chicos-angels-chicas-are-forever-2153063 |title=''Chico's Angels'': Chicas Are Forever |first=Amy |last=Nicholson |work=LA Weekly |date=April 17, 2008 |access-date=September 4, 2015}}</ref> |ShortSummary = The Angels are hired to locate and recover a priceless stolen diamond.<ref name="Official episodes"/><ref name="LAW Forever"/> |LineColor = FF52AF }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 5 |Title = ''Chico’s Angels'' Five-0: Waikiki Chicas |DirectedBy = Kurt Kohler |WrittenBy = Oscar Quintero & Kurt Kohler |ShortSummary = The Angels go undercover as hula dancers in Waikiki.<ref name="Five-0"/> |LineColor = FF52AF }} }}
;Webisodes Three webisodes have also been produced and made available at YouTube.<ref>{{YouTube|user=chicosangels}}</ref> # "Gang of Chicas" - The Angels investigate the mystery of a missing lawn ornament. Guest star Eden Espinosa.<ref name="Official episodes"/> # "Little Lost Chica" - Kay and Chita must find and rescue a kidnapped Frieda. Guest star Mike Pingel of ''Chasing Farrah''.<ref name="Official episodes"/> # "24ish" - The Angels are sent to defuse a bomb in this homage to ''24''. Guest star Steven Hill.<ref name="Official episodes"/>
"24ish" has been shown across the United States in over twenty film festivals, and was nominated for best short at the Frameline Film Festival.<ref name="BWW 2014-07"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ticketing.frameline.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=2028&FID=47 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075445/http://ticketing.frameline.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=2028&FID=47 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-03-04 |title=Frameline34 - ''Chico's Angels: 24ish'' |publisher=Frameline Film Festival |date=2010 |access-date=July 31, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://closetcinema.org/2010/films/chicos-angels-24ish |title=''Chico's Angels: 24ish'' |publisher=Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival |date=2010 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306171249/http://closetcinema.org/2010/films/chicos-angels-24ish |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Production== ''Chico's Angels'' was co-created by Oscar Quintero, who performs as one of the leads, and Kurt Koehler, who also directs the show. It has been performed regularly at the Cavern Club Theatre in Silver Lake, a neighborhood of Los Angeles, since July 25, 2003.<ref name="BWW 2014-07"/><ref name="Official episodes"/><ref name="Debut">{{cite speech |title=After show remarks |first=Oscar |last=Quintero |event=''Chico's Angels'' 3: Chicas in Chains |location=Los Angeles, CA |date=September 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/hot-sheet/2012/07/20/hot-sheet-july-20-2012?page=0,6 |title=Hot Sheet: ''Charlie's Angels'' Gets a Drag Makeover |first=Jeremy |last=Kinser |work=The Advocate |date=July 20, 2012 |access-date=July 31, 2015}}</ref> The show has also been performed at the Onyx Theater in Las Vegas and the Diversionary Theater in San Diego,<ref name="BWW 2014-07"/><ref name="Rodriguez 2011"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://lgbtweekly.com/2011/08/11/charlies-angels-meet-three-stooges-in-love-boat-chicas/ |title=''Charlie's Angels'' meet Three Stooges in 'Love Boat Chicas' |work=San Diego LGBT Weekly |date=August 11, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914083015/http://lgbtweekly.com/2011/08/11/charlies-angels-meet-three-stooges-in-love-boat-chicas/ |archive-date=September 14, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in 2018 at The Colony Theater in Burbank, California.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicosangels.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823174950/http://www.chicosangels.com/|title=''Chico's Angels'' plays at The Colony Theater in Burbank, CA November 15-18, 2018|archive-date=2018-08-23|access-date=September 1, 2018|website=ChicosAngels.com|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The cast of ''Chico's Angels'' have appeared on ''The Real Housewives of Atlanta'', ''KTLA Morning News'', '' Fox 5 San Diego News'', the radio shows of Sheena Metal and Frank DeCaro, [http://thebaubshow.com/ ''The Baub Show''], and in publications and websites such as ''Frontiers'' and ''Instinct''.<ref name="BWW 2014-07"/> They have also hosted events including the Cybersocket Awards, San Diego Pride and Los Angeles Pride.<ref name="BWW 2014-07"/>
==Reception== Gil Kaan of BroadwayWorld.com called ''Chico's Angels'' "the best scripted comedy drag show in Los Angeles",<ref name="BWW 2015-04"/> and in 2013 Matthew Breen of ''Out'' noted that "For a full decade, Los Angeles’s ''Chico’s Angels'' have been a ''muy caliente'' comedy cult hit."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2013/06/29/makes-me-want-churro-real-bad|title=Makes Me Want a Churro Real Bad |author-link=Matthew Breen (journalist) |first=Matthew |last=Breen |work=Out |date=July 8, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> TMZ noted that "The shows have become a local cult favorite and received rave reviews from L.A. critics."<ref name="TMZ"/> Amy Nicholson of ''LA Weekly'' called the show a "riotous comedy".<ref name="LAW Forever"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.chicosangels.com/}} * {{YouTube|user=chicosangels|''Chico's Angels''|suffix='}} * [http://ktla.com/2014/07/09/chicos-angels/ Cast of ''Chico's Angels'' on ''KTLA Morning News'' (July 9, 2014)] * {{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-EW7CQAAQBAJ&q=chico%27s+angels&pg=PA33|title=Internet Lesbian and Gay Television Series, 1996-2014 |chapter= ''Chico's Angels'' |first=Vincent |last=Terrace |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-0786498055 |date= April 10, 2015 |pages=33–34 |access-date= July 31, 2015}} * {{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v1lvBAAAQBAJ&q=chico%27s+angels&pg=PA45|title=Performing Cities |chapter=Sprawled, Distracted, and Trembling: Performing LA |first=Nicolas |last=Whybrow |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-1137032522 |date=August 22, 2014 |pages=45–46 |access-date= July 31, 2015}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.stagescenela.com/2012/01/chicos-angels-2-love-boat-chicas/|title=''Chico's Angels'' #2: 'Love Boat Chicas' |first=Steven |last=Stanley |publisher=StageSceneLA |date=January 5, 2012 |access-date=July 31, 2015}} * {{cite web |url=http://sdgln.com/entertainment/2011/08/12/dishing-dirt-chicos-angels#sthash.t1BDN21i.dpbs |title=Dishing dirt with ''Chico's Angels'' |first=Ann |last=Feister |work=San Diego Gay and Lesbian News |date=August 12, 2011 |access-date=July 31, 2015}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.wehoville.com/2013/07/25/725-chicos-angels-opens-at-cavern-club-theatre/|title=Ongoing: ''Chico's Angels'' Opens at Cavern Club Theatre|publisher=Wehoville.com |date=July 25, 2013 |access-date=July 31, 2015}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.scpr.org/blogs/multiamerican/2010/08/07/7435/because-its-friday-chicos-angels/|title=Because it's Friday: ''Chico's Angels'' |first=Leslie |last=Berestein Rojas |publisher=Southern California Public Radio |date=August 7, 2010 |access-date=July 31, 2015}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/events/Saving-Charo-Chicos-Angels-Style-98779934.html |title=Saving Charo ''Chico's Angels'' Style |first=Mekahlo |last=Medina |publisher=NBC Southern California |date=July 19, 2010 |access-date=July 31, 2015}} * {{cite web |url=http://queermeup.com/hotspots/chicos-angels-host-palm-ave-stage-west-hollywoods-2014-halloween-caraval/ |title=''Chico's Angels'' host the Palm Ave stage at West Hollywood's 2014 Halloween Caraval |publisher=QueerMeUp.com |first=Gustavo |last=Inciarte |date=October 31, 2014 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040402/http://queermeup.com/hotspots/chicos-angels-host-palm-ave-stage-west-hollywoods-2014-halloween-caraval/ |url-status=usurped }}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chico's Angels}} Category:2003 plays Category:American comedy plays Category:Cross-dressing in theatre Category:Comedy theatre characters Category:Theatre characters introduced in 2003 Category:Drag events in the United States Category:LGBTQ comedy and humour Category:American LGBTQ-related web series Category:Touring theatre Category:Parodies of television shows Category:Charlie's Angels (franchise)