BWW Reviews: Pageant: The Musical at 14th Street Playhouse

I recently had the opportunity to not only attend a production of Pageant: The Musical at the 14^th Street playhouse in Atlanta, but to be a part of the action as one of the special guest judges of the show’s Miss Glamouresse pageant.

To be honest, I really didn’t know what to expect, not being familiar at all with the show, (Book by Bill Russell and Frank Kelly and score by Albert Evans) which nowadays is a rare treat for me, and the show did not disappoint.

The set, though simple, was quite effective and served as the perfect backdrop for the festivities of the evening. And hat festivities they were.

As the show began, it was very clear this was not a typical musical in any sense of the word. From the moment the emcee for the evening, Frankie Cavalier (played with gusto by Geoffrey Brown) introduced the pageant and invited the “ladies” to the stage we knew we were in for a good time.

You see, the contestants in this musical pageant, unlike any other, have a little “Something Extra” as one of the catchy songs tells us. Played with grace and style, the high heels of these beauties are expertly filled by a cast of six highly talented and skilled actors. Yes, I said actors, for these girls are all played by men. And what a talented group of “ladies” they are.

There’s Miss Texas (the ultimate winner the night I attended), played with pitch perfect Texas drawl by Brian Clowdus who wowed the audience with a tap number that truly impressed and a confidence that screamed “winner”. Then there’s Miss Great Plains, the proverbial farmers daughter from Keokuk, Iowa, played by Dustin Lewis, pegging her coy expressions and earnest happiness and creating a positive vibe whenever she entered the room. Miss Deep South (Greg Bosworth), another favorite had us all cheering (considering she hails from Valdosta, GA) and Nick Morrett, was never short on laughs as Miss Industrial Northeast who with special her Puerto Rican flair, has a talent that must be seen to be believed. Miss Bible Belt (Bernard D. Jones) had us on our feet “Bankin on Jesus” and Miss West Coast (Ben Isabel) gave us insight into her trippy, yet fabulous sense of style.

All in all, my night at the Miss Glamouresse pageant was one of the most entertaining I have spent in quite awhile. I could tell the whole cast was having a blast with the show and as an audience it was infectious. Pageant: The Musical is an all around great night of theatre and I hope anyone out there looking for a little glitz, a little glamour and a whole lot of fun will check it out.

Come out and see who will be the next Miss Glamouresse at the 14th Street Playhouse. Pageant: The Musical plays the 14th Street Playhouse (173 14th Street N.E., Atlanta) Wednesdays-Fridays at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m through October 24th.

Tickets are $32 and are available now at the 14th Street Playhouse box office or by phone at 404-733-4738.  For general information please contact 404-733-4750 or visit www.14thStPlayhouse.org.  For more information on Pageant: The Musical, visit www.pageantatlanta.com or follow the crown on Twitter @PageantAtlanta or “like” us on Facebook.

Photo credit: Maggie Boudreaux

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