It was a mega theater weekend for me. I saw Fatboy at A Red Orchid Theater Friday with The Birds Doug Vickers, who once again proved to be an expert scene stealer. Fatboy, directed by the darling Guy Van Swearingen, is an absurdist look at the effects of greed, lust and just about everything that politics is on society, done in a very vaudeville/burlesque style. The cast is to be commended for going at FULL THROTTLE for the entire show.  I was amazed by Steve Pickering in the title role and Jennifer Engstrom is my new favorite actress as Fatboys wife and foil, Fudgie. Fudgie, through the eyes of Ms. Engstrom  is a sort of Ethel Merman in it’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World- on steroids. Truly an amazing site to behold. Doug, of course did not disappoint- he never does.

I am always amazed at how talented my friends are, which is a good lead into my second theater experience this weekend, 1776 at the Chopin Theater presented by Signal Theater. Handbag ensemble member Tim Howard and my pal Jon Steinhagen  are in this show. The show is about the beginnings of the American revolution and it features a cast of 3,116 men and like, a couple of chicks. Okay, maybe it was 24 men and 2 women… I was really impressed that Signal would undertake such a massive project, and they did it with style and grace. Again, the cast was the reason to see the show and since Timmy and Jonny are my friends, I gotta tell you they both really shine. Timmy is Thomas Jefferson and he’s very convincing as a young, fiery and horny, Jefferson. His voice soars- I don’t think I’ve ever heard him sing better. The songs really suit his voice. Mr. Steinhagen plays Sen. John Dickinson, great, great, great, great grandfather to Angie Dickinson and the protagonist to John Adams (Philip Winston). The show revolves around John Adams (who, apparently, was a bit of an asshole- a passionate ashhole) struggle to convince Congress to declare their independence which leads to the American Revolution. You know how this turns out but the cast makes you watch with their committed performances and some audience members got a bit weepy with their patriotic stirrings. Andra Velis Simon of Caged Dames is the Music Director too in this gem of a show. Both efforts are well worth your time.

Filed under: My Way Of Life