John Waters' Merry-Scarry Holiday Cheer

Good tidings be damned this holiday season.  From the man who created such camp-classic films as "Hairspray" and "Cry Baby," an already Broadway hit and soon to be musical adaptation, comes a shocking outlook on the most sacred of all Hallmark holidays in the annual A John Waters Christmas, which played as part of UCLA Live's series at Royce Hall December 1.

Nothing is sacred in the hands of writer-director John Waters, who spent nearly 40 years cultivating a sense of humor and flavor that borders on obscene, yet consistently finds a way to permeate that deep dark sense of humor resting beneath the surface of humanity.  It is no wonder William Burroughs once referred to Waters as "the Pope of Trash," which he seemingly holds near and dear to his heart.

In this one man show, now in its third year in Los Angeles, Waters, who has an uncanny resemblance to Dr. Seuss' Grinch, turns the looming holiday spirit upside down and puts it through the wringer, as he spouts thoughts spanning Alvin and the Chipmunks pornography to necrophilia, and that is leaving out some of his more hilarious material, which might not be fit to print.  To say Waters exists mostly in a counter-culture world is to understate the man's achievements, as his cult-like following of equally wacky fans feed the taboo nature presented throughout the evening and in most of his works.

Oddly, however, one cannot help getting caught up in Waters' weird web of absurdity, as his fanciful delivery and infectious personality constantly entertain, even when the erotic nature of Saint Nick is called into question.  Although his success is deeply rooted in the indie film circuit, with the recent adaptation of his 1988 film "Hairspray," and now reworking back into another film based on the 2002 Tony-award winning musical, Waters has linked himself to the Great White Way, and is more than welcome to stay awhile.  In fact, his Johnny Depp starring vehicle, "Cry Baby," the 1990 homage to "Jailhouse Rock," is currently in development to transfer to Broadway in the near future with Imagine's Brian Grazer being a driving force.

At one point in the evening, Waters mentioned his excitement over the upcoming "Hairspray" remake, finding delight in seeing John Travolta in drag, who is re-creating the role Divine and Harvey Fierstein originated on screen and stage, respectively.  In Waters fashion, he expanded on his drag fascination, talking of a desire to next turn Hairspray into a nigh-time soap with Anthony Hopkins taking over as Edna Turnblad, and saying the main character, Tracy, should go from being "fat" to "retarded," hopefully upping the ante.

Waters shock-comedy is a welcome surprise during a time when holiday cheer is bursting the seams of Tinseltown, and one would be remiss not to hope for a return next year.  Perhaps next time I will remember to brush up on my obscure Italian poets, as Waters finds delight in referencing a handful of foreign and little known talents in his show.

Opening the evening was an equally enjoyable musical performance by Jonathan Richman (The Modern Lovers) featuring Tommy Larkins, who were featured in "There's Something About Mary" and "King Pin."

A John Waters Christmas was presented in Association with Ian Brennan.  UCLA Live continues their holiday tidings, with The Roches with a Holiday Twist scheduled for December 7, followed by Oliver Award winner Slava's Snowshow starting December 12 and running through January 7, 2007.  For more information, visit www.UCLALive.org.

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