Review: PUCK BUNNIES: A HEATED RIVALRY DRAG MUSICAL PARODY at Dynasty Typewriter
Only one more performance before this team leaves LA.
Most “parody musicals” of hit TV shows are usually not really parodies at all. They are abusers of an oft-used loophole allowing artists to cash in on culturally-beloved works without incurring the wraths of legal teams for major studio networks. While it’s doubtful that Crave— the Canadian subscription streaming service which saw a runaway hit with Heated Rivalry this year— would have the power to stop a musical version of the show with announced dates in Los Angeles and Edinburgh, I am happy to report it is a genuine parody. Puck Bunnies, a musical from the minds of Kyra Brown and Christian Leonard lovingly lampoons the ludicrousness of this love story through heightened impersonations, witty pop culture needle drops, and a boatload of silliness.
The cast of characters cobbled together for this production sparkles in roles which play to their unique strengths. As the leading men thrust into the eponymous ‘heated rivalry’, Kyra Brown and Hanna Barlow carry the piece. They are consistent in their characterizations through ridiculous sexual simulations, pop ballads, and flashy choreography. As the secondary couple, Brittany Smith and Mitch Mitchell steal some of the biggest laughs of the night with undoubtedly the crowd’s favorite musical number: “Guys Can Be Lesbians Too”. Standout moments from the rest of the cast include Vee Deollos’ accent work (arguably on par with that on the original show), Marinna Benzon’s effortless quips, and a plethora of strange bits carried out with admirable fervor by Elyse Rupert (billed in promotional materials as “all the other characters”).
With a few original songs by Greg Lehrhoff and Oliver Richman, choreography by Talia Brown, and an onslaught of stupid visual gags, Puck Bunnies is a night at the theatre that will delight fans of the original show, amuse those who have no idea what is being referenced, and send everyone home with a smile on their face. It’s the kind of old-fashioned entertainment that knows how to pace itself— just when a bit is losing its shine, the band starts to play and we are thrust into the world of a new song. LA has no shortage of gifted comedians, sketch artists, and character actors, so it is always cause to celebrate when so many of them come together to make something truly silly and fun. Do your self a favor and catch their final LA performance before they take the show across the pond!
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