TransMasculine Cabaret by Vulva Va-Voom NYC Theatre Fringe Festival at 14th Street Y April 13, 2024 Production website 💉💉 out of 5.
This second slice of Fringe Theatre for the trip certainly worked better than the first. To begin, the artist actually cared and invested in their message and how it was being shared. The story told was of a performer dressed as a female preparing for a cabaret performance that slowly transforms into a performance as a “drag king”. Along the way the performer- they/them shares the journey that they have experienced as a trans performer and how they have been received both off and on stage. The play is wild and offensive, gross and caustic – all good things you expect from a fringe piece.
A Drag is Born Creator, Producer, & Performer Edu Diaz Directed by Rachel Resnik New York City Fringe – 14th Street Y April 13, 2024 Production website ☠ out of 5.
This was one of the WORST nights in the theatre that I have experienced in years! I realize there is an entirely different metric to be used in judging and enjoying fringe pieces – and I do love seeing fringe pieces and supporting new artists – but nothing can excuse this shit! The “story” that was only “attempted” was about a middle-aged man letting go of his masculinity and its trappings and letting his freak flag fly was a suitable story line for a fringe piece but nothing worked here.
Titanique book by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, and Tye Blue Music Supervision, Orchestrations & Arrangements by Nicholas Connell Directed by Tye Blue Daryl Roth Theatre April 9, 2024 Production website 💉 out of 5.
This piece was a TRUE let down! I came to the piece with high expectations and a handful of excellent recommendations from theatre friends and critics. Basically, Titanique is a spoof of the James Cameron movie in which Celine Dion re-writes the story with her as a participant and she sets out to poke fun at all of the classic scenes from the movie. It really could have been a workable premise for a fun evening but . . .
First off the talent, music, and orchestration and the writing of the piece most ironically felt like cruise ship entertainment and not legitimate New York Theatre. This piece belonged on a cruise ship or at an amusement park or comedy club and not in a New York theatre. It just lacked that air of sophistication. I also felt that the music of Celine Dion just doesn’t lend itself easily to doing irreverent even raunchy comedy. Name the last Celine Dion song that you can think of that would work to sing while slinging a small dildo about? See my point?
Created by 600 Highwaymen for Talking Band Featuring Ellen Maddox & Paul Zimit Perelman Performing Arts Center February 16, 2024 Production website 💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
The Following Evening was a piece of theatre history and theatre magic. Theatre legends were working alongside the cutting edge of theatre present. The production was created by 600 Highwaymen – one of perhaps the most exciting experimental theatre companies in the world stage today. Highwaymen (Abigail Browde & Michael Silverstone) have been making performances since 2009. Their work – which blends theater, dance, contemporary performance, and civic encounters – illuminates the magic and potential of people coming together.
Appropriate by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Directed by Lila Neugebauer 2nd Stage Theatre at Helen Hayes Theater February 15, 2024 Production website 💉💉💉 out of 5.
Appropriate was a very difficult play to sit through- particularly the first act. I cannot remember the last play that I have seen in which there was so much yelling and non-stop, unrelenting anger. From the first moment to the Act 1 curtain, every single character was raging about something. And the problem when everything is yelled out – nothing is angry – and where do you go from there. We, the audience, take yelling as the norm so when you really DO want to yell or highlight and attack we don’t even notice it – you have already used that ammunition. Granted, Sara Paulson is a truly gifted actress and a powerhouse on stage. She has a charisma on stage that is very rare – but even she became a leader in the anger campaign and spent Act 1, and, unfortunately, most of Act 2 angry and yelling away.
