Twin Peaks: Conversation With The Stars
The Uptown Theatre
October 17, 2025
Photos by Tyler King
I feel like if you told the cast and crew members of the television show Twin Peaks that 35 years later people would still be watching and dissecting the show they might not have believed you. And if you had told them that the Uptown Theater in Napa would be nearly sold out by fans of the show there to see some of that same cast and crew do a moderated Q&A session they definitely wouldn’t believe you. But sometimes fact is stranger than fiction, even if the fiction is Twin Peaks.
On tour with Twin Peaks: Conversation With The Stars was Harry Goaz (Deputy Andy Brennan), Kimmy Robertson (Lucy Moran), Ray Wise (Leland Palmer), and Sabrina S. Sutherland, the executive producer of the third season of Twin Peaks who started as a production assistant on the second season. Specific to the stop on Napa were two very special guests: Charlotte Stewart, who played Betty Briggs and worked with David Lynch beginning with his debut feature film Eraserhead, and Laura Palmer herself, Sheryl Lee. Following a screening of the second season finale, the cast made their way to the stage for over an hour of questions and answers.
Hearing everyone on stage talk about their time working on Twin Peaks, you could feel the pride that each of them has for the project and for working with David Lynch. Whether it was Harry and Ray talking about their first time meeting Lynch and talking to him about their first cars or Charlotte Stewart reminiscing about her own first time meeting David back in 1972 and having dinner with him while he sported three neck ties, the love for the late director and his various works was clearly palpable.
SF Sonic tends to be a publication focused on music-related events, and it wouldn’t have been a proper discussion about Twin Peaks without music being mentioned. When asked about any memories related to the last episode of season two, Sabrina Sutherland talked about her fond memories of being around singer Jimmy Scott who sings the haunting “Sycamore Trees” in that chilling episode. Later on Kimmy Robertson sang a song that she pitched to series creators David Lynch and Mark Frost to sing in the penultimate episode of the second season titled “I Am A Donut.” The two passed on the suggestion. And finally, Ray Wise treated the audience to a rousing rendition of “Mairzy Doats,” a song that his character Leland famously sings in one of the most iconic scenes from the show.
Following the moderated Q&A section, the floor was opened to the audience to ask the cast and crew any questions. Whether it be the first audience member who said that they watched the show when it originally aired or a younger fan who discovered the show on Netflix over the pandemic, each question was thoughtful and answered gracefully. The most touching question and answer came from the penultimate audience member to take the microphone. When asked about the legacy of the show, Sheryl Lee fittingly said that in a way Twin Peaks is still happening and living on through the love of fans both old and new
Concluding the evening was a beautifully put together reel of various behind the scenes clips of David Lynch working on the final season of Twin Peaks. Everyone onstage sat on the floor cross-legged with their back turned to the audience to watch the footage of Lynch working on what would be his final major work, a work that is already being regarded as one of the most powerful and important seasons of television to ever air. David Lynch had boundless love for those around him, and for the fans of Twin Peaks, which was something that was palpable in the venue. The video ended and the lights came on. Harry, Charlotte, Kimmy, Sabrina, Ray, and Sheryl thanked everyone for coming. And we were gone from the world of cherry pies and coffee as black as midnight on a moonless night, back to the real world.
