BWW Reviews: ACT 1's FANN-MADE, PERMISSION-GRANTED, UNOFFICIAL PRODUCTION OF DR. HORRIBLE'S SING-ALONG BLOG

So let's just cut to the chase: If you are a fan of Dr. Horrible, the interwebs sensation that was borne of the 2008 Writers Guild of America strike, chances are you'll love ACT 1's live, onstage version of (deep breath now) A Fann-Made, Permission Granted, Unofficial Production of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, playing at the Darkhorse Theater for three weekends. If you're not a fan before seeing the show, you probably won't leave the theater humming any of the easily forgettable songs or even giving a shit about the show at all. In fact, you may want to consult a lawyer about reclaiming that particular 90 minutes of your life.

(I can now feel the tiny pin pricks of the needles piercing the flesh of the Jef Ellis voodoo dolls held about the neck by various members of the cast and crew as they exact their revenge while they continue reading this review. I say: Bring it on! Go for the BALLS, I'm kinda into that...)

What might be considered fun, inventive and cutting edge wackiness online doesn't necessarily transfer to the stage, particularly in a production hampered by a treacly, lugubrious pace. Scene transitions seem to take forever and the ten minute-intermission - which follows a first act that lasted maybe 20 minutes - seemed never ending (and lasted far longer, but I forgot to check my watch after waking from my nap for Act Two to begin), but it did give me a chance to send a few texts, check email and peruse the latest postings on Facebook. Here's the thing:  It's essential that something lifted right off the internet should move briskly (chop-chop people) in order to capture that sense of whimsy and outrageousness properly. Apparently, director Anne-Geri Fann and company are still using a dial-up modem to get online - maybe the money ACT 1 is gonna make on this show will pay for some fancy-schmancy WiFi connection for future productions.

The video projections, which represent some clever ideas on the part of the creative team, proved problematic on opening night, adding to the show's pace, or lack thereof.  The set, designed by David H. Fann, provides an interesting backdrop for the action and David McGinnis' lighting provides the proper illumination for the various scenes as they unfold.

A Fann-Made, Permission Granted, Unofficial Production of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (if I get one more dismissive, condescending email urging me to call it this "for legal purposes," while everyone in the company refers to the show simply as Dr. Horrible, I'll be buying my own voodoo dolls AND, frankly, I'd be more concerned about the uncredited writers of the material) stars Neil Patrick Kramer (NPH's evil, charmless, straight twin) in the title role of Dr. Horrible, a wannabe superhero who's intent on developing a freeze ray to gain membership in the Evil League of Evil while battling his arch-nemesis Dr. Hammer (Daniel Vincent, who is no Nathan Fillion I tell ya) for the affections of the do-gooder Penny (Lindsay Terrizzi Hess). The trio deliver fine performances, but the material doesn't live up to their considerable talents, but I must commend them for their focus and commitment.

The leading players are surrounded by an ensemble of talented actors who aren't given much to do, though it's obvious everyone is having a good time and that they, indeed, are all on the same page. Eric Ventress is cast as Moist, Dr. Horrible's dweeby pal, and he manages to make everyone within five city blocks feel the need to shower post-curtain. The ensemble is comprised of Michael Welch, L.T. Kirk (barely recognizable thanks to his herculean efforts to get fit - sincere congratulations L.T, you're looking swell!), Jonathan Burgess, April Hardcastle-Miles, Jama Bowen and Memory Strong. Hardcastle-Miles gets the night's funniest line when she says to Dr. Horrible: "So now that your girlfriend is dead, who are you taking to the funeral?" I LOL'd at that one (get it? Like I'm online or something...)

Now, while I'm still able to write before the voodoo does that , well, voodoo that it does so well, let me say this: Everyone involved in the production can be proud of taking the chance, pushing the envelope and bringing edgy (well, yeah, it's kinda edgy in the way that musical theater about superheroes is "edgy" - don't tell the company about It's A Bird, It's A Plane [the 1960s Charles Strouse/Lee Adams musical], The Toxic Avenger or Spiderman or else they're likely to go all apoplectic, aka batshit crazy, on your ass) material to the stage. And kudos to ACT 1 for trying something different.

You win some, you lose some - and while I was silently whispering a prayer for death, both sudden and painless, to take me from the theater, there were those around me who were fairly beating off at the spectacle they beheld before them. Different strokes, as it were, for different folks.

- A Fann-Made, Permission Granted, Unofficial Production of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog name, literary material and characters and musical compositions used by permission from Time Science Blood Club LLC. Directed by Anne-Geri Fann. Presented by ACT 1, at Darkhorse Theatre, through December 3. For details, go to www.act1online.com.

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