BWW Reviews: Drag Queens Rule as BITCHES

Bitches/by Sean Abley/directed by Sean Abley/Acting Artists Theater/thru November 2, 2014

Writer/director Sean Abley has wisely chosen this troupe of talented actors to be his Bitches. All women characters (performed over-the-top by males in men's clothing) sharply deliver some snappy one-liners with some delicious drag queen bulls-eyed intensities. With an objective third eye; this high camp, very fast paced, but still close to two-hour production would greatly benefit from some judicious editing. Too much of a good thing...

This Mean Girls spoof focuses on the controlling antics of high school senior Sindee and the prime instructor of her evil ways-her mother Charlene. Los Angeles gay theatre favorites, Drew Droege, as Sindee, and Sam Pancake, as Charlene, run full-speed with their characters leaving no shade or insult left unsaid or side double takes un-penetrating as they rule their respective circles-Sindee's cheerleading team and Charlene's civic women's group.

The war begins when sophomore Angelatina wins Sindee's coveted cheerleading squad position that Sindee believes she herself so rightly deserves. Angelatina and her mother Vera have recently moved into town, and try as they both do, neither (oblivious to both) are accepted by their groups. Matt Valle, as Angelatina, plays naive and innocent quite convincingly while Jim Blanchette dutiful underplays the mousey Vera... until she gets to deservedly shout out loud the singular of the show title.

Timothy Joshua Hearl and Michael Vaccaro both shine playing Pepper and Carmelle; Sindee's cohorts, co-conspirators, co-cheerleaders and abject followers of everything Sindee.

Stealing the show with his spot-on portrayal of the ruthless, soulless, do-anything- for-ratings talk show hostess Paula Demarcato, (think Oprah mixed with equal parts Sheryl Lee Ralph and Nancy Grace); Ralph Cole, Jr. demands focus each time he barks his commands, preaches his epiphanies or launches his unverified accusations.

Having much fun in various other roles: Thomas Colby as Terri, Paula's whipped stage manager; James Jaeger as lecherous cheerleader coach Lila; Brad Griffith as triumphant gardener Kathy; Jason Looney as a variety of supporting women; and the author/director himself Abley as Ruby, the fourth wheel of the scheming civic assembly.

Enjoy the frothy evening of drag queen sensibilities without the dresses , make-up or big hair; but with maybe too much plot to squeeze in within one sitting. Most logical edit would be the Paula/Terri plotline, as their relationship seems confusingly written. But Cole should headline his own show anyway!

Sam Pancake, as Charlene, run full-speed with their characters leaving no shade or insult left unsaid or side double takes un-penetrating as they rule their respective circles-Sindee's cheerleading team and Charlene's civic women's group. The war begins when sophomore Angelatina wins Sindee's coveted cheerleading squad position that Sindee believes she herself so rightly deserves. Angelatina and her mother Vera have recently moved into town, and try as they both do, neither (oblivious to both) are accepted by their groups. Matt Valle, as Angelatina, plays naive and innocent quite convincingly while Jim Blanchette dutiful underplays the mousey Vera... until she gets to deservedly shout out loud the singular of the show title. Timothy Joshua Hearl and Michael Vaccaro both shine playing Pepper and Carmelle; Sindee's cohorts, co-conspirators, co-cheerleaders and abject followers of everything Sindee. Stealing the show with his spot-on portrayal of the ruthless, soulless, do-anything- for-ratings talk show hostess Paula Demarcato, (think Oprah mixed with equal parts Sheryl Lee Ralph and Nancy Grace); Ralph Cole, Jr. demands focus each time he barks his commands, preaches his epiphanies or launches his unverified accusations. Having much fun in various other roles: Thomas Colby as Terri, Paula's whipped stage manager; James Jaeger as lecherous cheerleader coach Lila; Brad Griffith as triumphant gardener Kathy; Jason Looney as a variety of supporting women; and the author/director himself Abley as Ruby, the fourth wheel of the scheming civic assembly. Enjoy the frothy evening of drag queen sensibilities without the dresses , make-up or big hair; but with maybe too much plot to squeeze in within one sitting. Most logical edit would be the Paula/Terri plotline, as their relationship seems confusingly written. But Cole should headline his own show anyway! www.bitchesplay.brownpapertickets.com" target="_blank">www.bitchesplay.brownpapertickets.com