REVIEW: 'High Hair' is Hot Hilarity for the Holidays

As their website says, "nothing is sacred in this satirically funny, fast-paced romp through all things Texas with a special focus on San Antonio AND a few holiday twists." "High Hair and Jalapeños" returns to San Antonio, this time at the Josephine Theatre, for a third serving of laugh-out-loud slapstick Texas humor.

"High Hair" has been produced in San Antonio twice before - both times at the Cameo Theatre. Four of the original cast members return for this performance, including the always fierce Jillian Cox, the charming Roy Bumgarner, the muy caliente Michael J. Gonzalez (pardon the pun, but he does don a jalapeño costume at one point), and the vivacious Valarie Miller. Joining the cast is Matt Goodson, a native of Alice, Texas (a town mentioned in the show), who is a perfect fit for this all-around talented group of performers.

Written by a team headed by co-directors Phillip George and Peter Charles Morris, "High Hair and Jalapeños" prods and pokes at just about anything and everything Texas - especially San Antonio. At the opening of the show, the audience is greeted by Lureen, a waitress from San Antonio dining landmark, Earl Abel's. At the opening night performance, audience members who likely had seen one of the former versions of the show, chimed in with "orders" for the waitress. Lureen, played with the perfect combination of charm and humor by Jillian Cox, went right along with it and then continued into the rest of the opening number, alongside her four fellow cast members.

Other stand-out numbers include Cox's hilarious solo "El Toro" about a woman's illustrious "affair" with something a little less-than-human on her wedding night; a stint where Gonzalez dresses up as a jalapeño and Miller joins him on stage dressed as a chalupa; a tap-dancing Texas; a song about an obsession with Eva Longoria Parker and then Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison; and even a number about fencing in all of Texas. And, this would not be a holiday production without a couple of Christmas-themed numbers. All of the performances are top notch, as they should be. Each of the actors has quite the stellar resume, and three of them - Cox, Miller, and Gonzalez - won ATAC Globe Awards for their performances in the second edition of "High Hair".

Rose Kennedy and Laura Briseno have done an outstanding job with the costumes that include the aforementioned jalapeño and chalupa, a collection of Texas-sized dresses, tight-fitting cowboy jeans, and just the right amount of cowboy hats and boots. Wigster Frank Latson finishes off each look with "big hair" creations, including one that rivals the coiffure of Texas Governor Rick Perry. My personal favorite is a curly blond wig that is decorated with colorful Christmas tree lights.

A simple, but effective set - featuring sliding doors with the Texas state flag, a mural of what looks more like a West Texas desert, and, of course, a Christmas tree - helps set the mood and allows the performances to be the key focus. Rounding out the production is a small on-stage band, led by musical director Deb Mayes, with David George on bass and Mark Welch on drums.

"High Hair and Jalapeños" is showing at the Josephine Theatre on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. through December 31. Ticket prices range from $15 for students, military and day-of-show rush seats, to $33 for adults. Group rates also are available, and according to the "High Hair" Web site (www.highhairandjalapenos.com), they are offering a "2fer" special throughout the month of November - audience members can get two full priced tickets at the price of one. Visit the Web site for the special offer code. To make reservations, call (210) 734-4646. The Josephine Theater is located at 339 W Josephine in San Antonio. Visit www.josephinetheatre.org for more information about the theatre.

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