Matt Baume dot com: Audience thrilled at Peaches' Showgirls screening

It was pandemonium at the Castro Theatre Saturday night as drag celebrity Peaches Christ unleashed a hundred lap dancers on a screaming audience.

The occasion was the 15th anniversary screening of Showgirls , the bizarre 1995 Paul Verhoeven film in which Saved By The Bell's Elizabeth Berkley plays Nomi Malone, an aspiring dancer who flails her way to infamy as a Las Vegas showgirl.

"It's definitely one of those movies that exists on its own planet," Peaches (born Joshua Grannell) told the Bay Area Reporter before the event. "Everything in it is extreme. The performances, the costumes, the makeup, the dialogue, the production design, and the Vegas numbers are all pushed to the limits. Lines like 'it must be weird not having anyone cum on you,' and 'everyone got AIDS and shit' come from an extreme screenplay!"

After emerging from a volcano and sparring with her troubling sidekick Martiny, Peaches asked Trannyshack's Heklina and Cub Scout's Ladybear to judge a Nomi Malone look-a-like contest. One contestant in a pregnancy suit pulled a Beadazzled Cabbage Patch Doll from between her legs. Another, dressed as a giant press-on nail, was labeled a "Klaus Nomi Malone" after the conceptual German artist.

The winner of the look-a-like contest was a woman - an actual woman - who endured a revealing rub-down with ice from an onlooker's soda.

Bedlam erupted after Peaches dispersed an army of volunteer lap dancers throughout the audience. Dancers tore through the theater, climbing over seats and mashing themselves against audience members.

Several people were whipped.

Volunteers were recruited from a broad range of backgrounds. Dancer Shannon Kelley was a seasoned Trannyshack performer, while cutoff-clad Dalton Huckaby was a newcomer to performing. "It just sounded fun," he said. Nearby, Huckaby's friend Shane Young wore skimpy briefs and a mask. "I'm an exhibitionist by nature," he said.

Sister Phyliss of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence went through the aisles in a polka-dot dress. "I like to play the naughty housewife," she said. "Formal skirt, corset, no panties."

Fans were giddy with anticipation. "This is one of the best things about living here," said Michelina Matarrese.

"We're big Saved by the Bell fans," said Sam Leichter.

Peaches is in the midst of a national tour with her own brand new feature film, All About Evil. Starring Natasha Lyonne and Mink Stole, the slasher pic documents a deranged theater owner's bloody filmmaking spree.

"The tour itself has been a blast," Peaches said. "Ultimately I think of myself as an entertainer, whether I'm onstage in a big wig singing and dancing or writing and directing a movie. It's all about playing for audiences."

For their part, Saturday's Showgirls audience members were beside themselves with delight. A huge cheer went up as Peaches launched the screening by shouting, "we're all whores tonight!"