Review: Such a Pleasure Being Lost in VARLA JEAN MERMAN'S BIG BLACK HOLE

VARLA JEAN MERMAN'S BIG BLACK HOLE/by Jeffery Roberson & Jacques Lamarre/directed by Michael Schiralli/The Los Angeles LGBT Center's Renberg Theatre/thru April 3, 2016

VARLA JEAN MERMAN'S BIG BLACK HOLE triumphantly returns to The Los Angeles LGBT Center's Renberg Theatre with her sci-fi homage to Star Wars as only Varla Jean can do. Varla Jean emits an almost continuous stream of consciousness (except for costume change intervals) of observations (some double-entendre, most risqué) on some current celebrities, a few running political candidates, and just the state of the world, er, universe. Calling out various audience members' names and addressing some of her jokes directly at them, Varla Jean keeps her rapt admirers most times laughing and sometimes groaning (at the purposedly bad jokes included).

Varla Jean's alter ego, Jeffery Roberson, co-wrote this side-splitting 75- minutes with Jacques Lamarre. Michael Schiralli seamlessly directs Varla Jean, with her over-the-top costume changes off-stage filled in with the enlightening and comical video montages of Varla Jean and her Star War and Star Trek friends.

Gerald Goode provides sturdy support with his strong harmonizing vocals and his nimble piano-playing fingers. Varla Jean puts her own unique spin on such popular hits as "Baby, I'm a Star," "What a Wonderful World," "Ce Sera Sera," "Shake It Off," "Friend Like Me" making all the lyrics fit Varla Jean's tales like a long-sleeved glove.

Varla Jean's just too funny!

varlaonline.com

Los Angeles Awards - Live Stats

Best Musical - Top 3

1. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Hollywood Bowl)

8.9% of votes

2. HEATHERS (Backyard Playhouse: Treetop Production)

5.4% of votes

3. HAIR (Conundrum Theatre)

5.2% of votes

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