Fringe Festival NYC - The Fabulous Kane Sisters in Box Office Poison
Oscar E Moore from the rear mezzanine for Talk Entertainment.com
What a ride! An outrageous, riotous, ribald, raunchy, over-the-top, risqué, nonsensical - leave all logic behind comedy written by Marc Geller and Bill Roulet is at the Cherry Lane Theatre. All ye who enter to see The Fabulous Kane Sisters in Box Office Poison be ready to laugh until your sides ache or better yet - bring a “Depend” along.
I am not saying this is the best comedy ever written, but it sure is funny. A few jokes may fall flat or may elicit a few groans here and there, but there are enough hilarious moments to recommend seeing this nutty show where subtlety is a forbidden word.
Pocatello, Idaho, 1956. Pilkington’s Pleasure Palace. A theatrical enterprise on the brink of bankruptcy. Nineteen murders have taken place. Nineteen head-liners have met their demise and they need “an act” to save the theatre. Enter the Kane sisters: Nova and Lana. They are identical twins. Nova (Bill Roulet) is shorter, looking very much like Betty Friedan – on a good day; Lana (Marc Geller) is taller, lithe and glamorous, looking very much like what Patti LuPone wishes she looked like. They are both hysterical – nailing every one liner that they have written for themselves. Just the fact that everyone gets the two of them mixed up is reason enough for the “Depend” you have been advised to bring along.
The period costumes by Jennifer Kirschman are superb. The gowns for Lana and Nova a drag queen’s dream. An accountant’s nightmare – lots of moola went into these frocks or perhaps they come from the private collection of our two stars. No matter. They are perfect. As is the lighting by Frank DenDanto III and the direction by Marc Geller.
The theatrical troupe in Pocatello consists of a married couple Patrick McCarthy and Sheila Stasack) who perform Shakespeare in the exaggerated style of the Lunts. But worse. Merkin the magician (Brent Erdy) who doubles as agent for the two dames – Shifty who resembles Swifty. Pice the owner of the theatre (Andrew Dawson) his much younger wife Pansy (Marta Reiman) who has a “fitness trainer” Buster (David A. Rudd – who is one more big reason to see the show) – Stage Manager (Elizabeth Bove – who is more Butch than her younger brother Stinky (Nicholas Gorham) who is mute, having had his tongue gone missing - who walks around with a box encasing his pet snake – which becomes important in the most unlikely but riotous way) – The Newscaster (Zach Kleinsmith – who keeps us updated on events) - Christopher H. Matthews (Slats – a handsome harmonica player who is an ex-con) and Romaine (Elizabeth West - the costume designer who will amaze you with her theatrical assets). One more, her son (Buddy) Christian Pedersen, who along with David Rudd supply the eye popping eye candy. What a way to market the show!
Be open enough to embrace this caustic craziness and you’ll laugh all the way home.
www.thefabulouskanesisters.com
08-16-08
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