Welcome to Hell

Mo Laughs Comedy, Orlando Fl

What’s your idea of hell?  A place filled with moralizing, hate mongering Republican Christian wing-nuts?  Well apparently you are not alone, because Satan gets a lot of his business from the souls (Rush, Ann, Dick) of hypocrites that spread hate and fear while quoting anti-gay language from the same book of the bible that pleads that all men love ones neighbor.  But this Satan has a lesson for these particularly offensive  souls.  They will spend eternity in the 9^th level of hell where they will be forced to listen incessantly to “It’s a small world” and do the “Maquerena”.

You’ve just been killed by a roof collapse at a show at the Orlando Fringe Festival, and find yourself in Hell orientation day.   It’s a place where Satan listens to cool rock music and loves to sprout devil-horns.  It’s also the place where South Carolina fictitious Gov. Wentworth finds himself after a heart attack while on his way to a fund-raiser.   Satan who has been waiting patiently for Dick Cheney. (who has manage to cheat him seven times) decides to question Gov. Wentworth about the political life he has lead in order to prove that while invoking the name of God, he has really lead a hateful and damnable existence.

An original comedy by star Jeff Jones who plays Satan, this little number is great for a few laugh at the expense of some of our hilariously sad Florida politicians.

VariTease Presents: Lullaby

Orlando Fl.

Mix a little Cirque Du Soleil, a little flashdance and a lot of ballet and you have the Fringe version of a modern dance extravaganza. Orlando Fringe goers are familiar with Blue and her company Varitease.  This year 6 superb ballet dancers transport us into a dream world of lovely monochromatic play.  Complete with soaring steel see-saw and movable fabric tents, this show was classy and tasteful in a way that belies its Fringe roots,

Those of you familiar with Vegas show Zumanity, you will feel like De Ja Vu.  Dancers use a strict ballet foundation but mix in erotic modern movements with hits of jazz and hip-hop to create a thoroughly pleasurable experience. 

Elaine Lanie Lollie Hoxie and Nicole Yezzi star as the familiar dancers and perform some of the more interesting movements.   Supported by David Scott and Jeremy Frances in the male roles.   All of these dancers have extensive training in ballet and according to their bio, can be seen in many other local ballet and dance productions.

The Well of Horniness

Story by Holly Hughes

TheatreMania Productions, Orlando Fl.

And so are the days of our lives.   When last we saw Vicki she was a contented housewife, married to Rod with a successful carpet business, what else could she desire.  But has she put her sinful past behind her.  Does Vicki miss her life with the Delta Delta Tri Bads? Is there another women in her life, could she fall back into her old habits?  These and many other questions will be reveled on this week’s Well of Horniness (screamed really loudly).   After Vicki’s impulsive encounter with Rod’s sister, she fleas from the murder scene seeming all the more guilty.  But was Vicki the villain or the victim?  Detective Garnet McClit is on the job and she is out to find the real culprit. But it’s too late, Babs evil laugh reveals her plans.  Will Rod get the shaft?

Break to Reality:

A pause in the action as the five women break from character to reveal their true selves and their frustrations with each other.  It must be exhausting sounding out every forest creature or inanimate object in the story.  But these girls have it and do it together.  Pulling costume changes from their boxes beside their chairs, they quickly alternate between male, female, animal or anything else you could imagine.  Like watching an old time radio soap, (like Prairie Home Companion) the audience was enthralled.  Could we be laughing at something so completely absurd?

Narrator: Laura Hodos

Vicki: Michele Feren

Rod: Heather Delmotte

Babs: Heather Leonardi

Garnet: Robyn Kelly

Pitch Blond

Destination Inc. British Columbia.

I've never been one for classic movies or 40's starlets like Bette or Joan, but Pitch Blond reminded me how strong those women really were despite the often weak and pathetic characters they portrayed.. Although playing a dumb blond who was "born yesterday",  Judy Holliday seemed to be anything but stupid, and it took this 20 something Canadian actress to drive that home.

The year is 1952 and Miss Holliday, having won the academy award is targeted by the McCarthy commission investigating communist activities. With radio shows playing all around us, we open to What’s My Line as we are introduced to Judy.  We are flashed forward to a court room.  Judy is being questioned on her possible subversive anti-American activities.  As we continually flash forward and backwards in time, we watch important aspects of Judy’s life unfold.  They include her work at the Mercury Theatre with Orson Wells and John Huston, her Vaudeville act with The Reviewers and her big break into film with Born Yesterday.  We watch her accept her Academy Award over the radio and not too long after that burst into floods of tears as she confronts her mother.   Judy faces the challenge of the Senate Hearings and vows to play dumb once again, as she refuses to name names.   Judy eventually is black-listed as a result of the McCarthy hearings.  She dies way too young of cancer at 43.  You can read all about her life at the below wiki link.

Most striking about this show was the young actress that performed this solo act.  She seamlessly transitioned from scene to scene and so completely embodies Judy that you are mesmerized.  I’m traditionally not a fan of the one man show, however this performance completely blew me away, it was that good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Holliday