BWW Reviews: THE VAUDEVILLIANS Pump Up Racy Glamour at Seattle Rep

"The Vaudevillians" is not an act that you'd expect to see at the Seattle Rep but then they've never really played it safe. But catching an act that I remember seeing at Balagan's "Smorgasbord" nights back when they were in the basement of the noodle house now strutting around the stage at the Rep is a bit odd but just shows how far this duo has come. From late night cabaret to the toast of Off-Broadway, "The Vaudevillians" have matured into a solidly hilarious evening that spotlights two very gifted performers.

It's definitely not your typical drag act as Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales adopt their alter egos of Kitty Witless and her husband Doctor Dan Von Dandy to form The Vaudevillians, a duo from the 1920's who were frozen in ice for nearly 100 years, only to be thawed out to find that popular artists have been co-opting their songs over the years. You may have thought that Britney Spears originally performed "Toxic" or "Piece of My Heart" was known as a Janis Joplin song but you would be wrong. They're pure Vaudevillians and Kitty and the Doctor are here to perform them for you as they were originally meant to be.

But beyond a simple cabaret of popular songs being performed in a 20's style, Jinkx and the Major have created two hilarious and very rich characters. And the two take us though the ins and outs of their lives, deaths and lives again of these two coked up, off balance show people. It's a very wild ride.

The two have some killer pipes and musical talent, spot on comedic timing, and character for days. And boy do they know how to work a crowd. Yes, there's a bit of audience interaction but as long as you're not picked you should be fine. If you are, well, God help you.

I really can't say enough good things about these two and the fine show they've crafted especially since I don't want to give it all away. But I can say that there's nothing frozen or stiff about their show and I can easily give them a solid YAY with my three letter rating system. It's one hysterical, somewhat ribald, and very clever evening of fun that's well worth catching.

"The Vaudevillians" performs at the Seattle Rep through November 2nd. For tickets or information contact the Seattle Rep box office at 206-443-2222 or visit them online at www.seattlerep.org.