BWW Reviews: MY TIME WITH THE LADY at the Market Theater

If you've lived in Seattle for any substantial length of time then you probably know of one of Seattle's lost landmarks, "The Lusty Lady".  Whether you just reveled in their hysterical reader board signs as you drove along 1^st Avenue or were actually a visitor to Seattle's favorite peep show you knew of the old girl's allure.  But how many people are actually privy to the inner workings of this pleasure palace?  Well, having worked there in various jobs for 5 years, Ron Richardson is and he's come to the Market Theater to share his insights with you with his show, "My Time with the Lady".  Yes, there's dirty stories and slightly off beat customers but there's also a look at the other wonderful people who brought the place to life and, believe it or not, a deeply heartfelt look at the peep show that helped make Seattle what it is today.

Richardson worked at the Lady starting when he was 18 from 1987 through 1992 in various capacities, just a fraction of her 33 year life span in Seattle.  He was a janitor, doorman, cashier and occasional bouncer.  And during the show he shares with us how he and the lady grew over time.  But beyond a collection of risqué tales, Richardson gets into not only the history of the Lady, well before his time, but also Seattle's history with peep shows, brothels and porn theaters dating back to the 1800's.  Especially 1^st Avenue, the home of the Lady, which used to be referred to as Flesh Avenue due to all of the various adult entertainment options there.  He gets into the crazy customers of the Lady, the highly innovative business style of the owners and of course his various co-workers during his time which became more of a family to him.  And accompanying him in this bawdy journey is the lovely Kirsten Lauzon who provides ambience and accentuates the various characters with her gyrating silhouettes from behind her screen. 

And yes, Richardson, of course, delves into the most well known part of the landmark, that reader board.  He goes through the topical like "Check Out Our Stimulus Package" or the cinematic like "Clash of the Tight Buns".  All of the favorites are there including their odes to the Seattle Art Museum and "Hammer Away Big Guy".  He did miss my favorite though, another movie themed one, "We'll Free Your Willy Here".

But beyond the flesh and characters, Richardson conveys his love and lament for this important part of his life and actually had me a little choked up (no pun intended) at the end of the show as he tells of his begrudging goodbye to the icon in June of 2010. 

Co-written and directed by John Longenbaugh, "My Time with the Lady" is a ribald, hilarious, and at times touching look at this shining jewel that did more than get people off, but also cared about its customers and gave Seattle some of its flavor.  So you may have missed "The Lusty Lady" when she was open, but don't miss "My Time with the Lady" and see how she secured her place in Seattle's history.  Oh, and if you're really nice, maybe Ron will tell you some of the stories that were a little too much to tell on stage over a drink after.  Ask about "Poo Man".

"My Time with the Lady" plays at the Market Theater in Pike Place Market through April 30^th.  For tickets or information visit them online at www.mytimewiththelady.com.

Photo Credit: David Lydon