Culture Clash Super Tranny Fierce in the O.C.

Culture Clash, the satirically comic trio of cultural observers, is stirring the pot once again, this time in the crispy clean Orange County, a town full of nouveau elite Americans.  This is, after all, the town that spawned a bevy of cultureless phenoms like "Laguna Beach," "The O.C." and lest we forget "The Real Housewives of Orange County."  If any locale were ripe for Culture Clash's picking, Orange County certainly makes the list.

The group is often successful at pointing out the obvious, through their mostly hit sketch bits, retelling "actual" interviews and testimonials picked up across America where subjects are typically asked about their very own culture leading to a clash or some sort, hence the name.  Comprising Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza, Culture Clash is an ingenious concept, shedding light on a form of cultural anthropology while injecting the seemingly mundane field with irreverent humor that often pays off with wild laughter.

Opening night audiences were surprisingly open to the jabs at their coastal community just South of Los Angeles, as this latest performance, Culture Clash in AmeriCCa, takes Orange County to task for mostly immigration-based slights.  As a Chicano/Latino performance group, Culture Clash is at its best when pointing out the obvious hostilities towards immigration issues currently playing out in the Mexico-bordering Southern California.

Through playful stereotypes, ranging from a cowboy hat wearing Mexican looking for work in front of a local Home Depot-like store to a supper tranny fierce pre-surgery character, Clash is quite the riot.  Some of the tales, like any good sketch-based showcase, play as old as the cowboy hat that takes center stage as the curtain rises, such as the age-old "Jesus was a black man" rant, playing here more trite than edgy.

Yet, in a state run by an Austrian muscle man and that is plagued by the immigration debate on its front door, Culture Clash's message could not be more relevant and sincere.  And such hot-topic subjects as disgraced New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and former local Sheriff Michael Corona get an aside or two.

There cannot be any doubt that America continues to be hung up on race and stereotypes, otherwise the prospect of a woman or black presidential candidate would not make daily headlines.  Culture Clash is the perfect blend of wit and vigor to coax audiences into looking in a mirror through sarcastic humor.  And through a somber bit involving a priest's molestation recollection, the hopeful fate of a restored America and cultural reformation is put fourth.

Through quick off-stage costume changes (designer Balogh Calin) and various wigs, this latest Culture Clash concoction, under the direction of David Emmes, plays as a fine addition to their already popular repertoire of distinct shows.

Culture Clash in AmeriCCa, written and performed by Montoya, Salinas and Siguenza, plays through April 6 on South Coast Repertory's Julianne Argyros Stage.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.scr.org or at the box office, located at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa.  And for more from James Sims visit www.simsscoop.com.

Photos by Henry DiRocco/SCR.

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