Outrageous, Sexy, (nekkid) Romp by Alejandro de la Costa
MBS Productions
Addison's Stone Cottage Theatre
15650 Addison Rd, Addison TX 75001
214-477-4942
WWW.MBSPRODUCTIONS.NET
6-4-11 Performance
So, I went to see a friend's play because he came to see mine. I wasn't there in an "official" capacity- I really just wanted a night out at the theatre since I hadn't BEEN to a show since February (been in a show every weekend since my last post- PRAISE GOD.) So, in a way, parden the sloppy writing and out of character formatting. I'm not writing a real review here.
I'd read the great reviews my friend had gotten and was really looking forward to it.
'Casey and Keith are happily partnered gay couple. Their placid lives are turned upside down when their drag queen friend Lovely Uranus is forced to move in and when Lara, an ex-girlfriend of Casey’s, comes to visit. Things get even more complicated as Keith suddenly discovers he is secretly attracted to Lara and may not be gay after all, but a closeted straight man! Can Keith keep his heterosexuality a secret? Will Casey find out? And what does Lovely Uranus have to say about it all?' (taken from MBS Productions' website.) Due to nudity and language, it's only for those 18 and older.
Unfortunately, I was left disappointed. Maybe I'm too much of a prude. Maybe it's only funny if you're gay. Maybe I was just in one of my moods. I don't know. But this show just wasn't THAT funny. Sure, it had funny moments. Sure, it had comedic bits. But, I really only chuckled. It was too vulgar at times to be funny. There seemed to be something amiss in the cast tonight- there was almost no chemistry amongst ANY of them. And, as you can glean from the title, when the comedy didn't work there wasn't much of a story to fall back on. However, there were two monologues, both from Lovely, that just got a little too preachy and a little too serious. Well written, and thought provoking, but the emotions driving them seemed to come from no where and then were suddenly gone. It was off just enough that I see potential in the story- given a little re-write, a little recasting, and maybe some chocolate for me. Who knows? The folks on the other end of the aisle from me were laughing hysterically. The people on my right and behind me barely cracked a smile. It's one of those shows where I as an audience member didn't like it, but as a critic, I have to concede that there are those out there who would love it.
It's hard as an audience member to watch actors struggle. It's also hard to see them acting rather than just being. Andrew Bryan as Casey played the flamboyant well, but after a while, his line delivery stopped varying. Philip Gage as Keith was obviously trying to connect to some emotional journey, but with constant referrals to his erections, no one really watched his face. Emily Murphy as Lara was sultry when she needed to be, but the rest of her lines seemed to be punched out, or bitten off. It was very forceful. Towards the end, she reveals her motivations as she's leaving, and this monologue was absolutely flat. There was no anger, nor triumph in what one would presume was to be her moment. It came out exactly like her first monologue did. It should have been an explosive bombshell, as I didn't see that coming, but by the time we got there, I also didn't care. I just wanted her gone. The character of Lara should be a lot of fun to watch- from the nice, just dropped in ex girlfriend to the sexy seducer to the triumphant bitch. Instead, it was all on one level, all in the same voice, all with the same line delivery. I wanted more. Mark-Brian Sonna gave it his all, but being a Drag Queen is more than a man in a dress. According to Mrs. Vida in the movie To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, it's "the outrageous outlook and indomitable spirit" and "too much fashion sense for one gender" that makes someone a true Drag Queen. It's an essence, an attitude, and a way of carrying oneself. This was funny- crazy makeup, funny outfits, huge wigs... but it wasn't a Drag Queen. And for all the wisdom that Lovely needed to give these young kids (and the authority in which to give it) she needed to be a true Queen.
The costumes, designed by Larry E. Groseclose, were over the top or subtle as needed. I loved the set design (complete with framed posters of MBS's previous shows.) The lights and music did their job to support (including a well masked sex scene in a near blackout. I'd love to see that illusion in a serious romantic moment.) Lights and set were designed by Alejandro de la Costa, the music was mixed by Mark-Brian Sonna. Director Charles Ballinger made the blocking work for the space and for the storyline. This show's downfall really rests in the writing and the acting. That sounds a lot harsher than I want, but there's not a way to soften the blow.
Go see it. Decide for yourself. It didn't offend me, and I'm glad I went. I think you should see it for yourself. Comedy is unique. Everyone has a different taste. But only mine is right (at least, on this blog.)
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