Sordid Lives

              Illumination Theatre Productions: 7/26 – 8/17

                 
            Todd Black Emma Messenger, LuAnn Buckstein and Shahara Ostrand

                     “Sordid Lives” is a Tacky Party with a Heart of Gold!

     And whether you want to admit it or not, beneath all the slapstick and the broad strokes of humor there is a truly beautiful piece of social commentary on the need for love and acceptance and equal rights for gay men and women the world over.

     Playwright Del Shores has chosen a moment in which the matriarch of a Suthuhn family of great dysfunction dies to begin his very funny black comedy. Sissy(Todd Black) is tryin’ her best to stop smokin’ with the aid of a rubber band snap to the wrist every time the temptation arises. At the top of the play Noleta (Emma Messenger) is bringin’ in her casserole and cryin’ like a rat eatin’ onions. Then we get introduced to the other very colorful family members.

     Standouts are Matthew Link as Ty, Latrelle’s actor son who is finally coming to terms with his sexual orientation and Kevin Leonard as Brother Boy, the gay son who was institutionalized by this bunch of nut cakes twenty three years ago because of his penchant for transvestism. Mr. Link gets to hand us the beating heart of the show as Mr. Leonard tears up our funny bones. Leonard’s scene with Dr. Eve (Boni McIntyre) in which he fights off the repulsive idea of dehomosexualization is a hoot! The cast also includes local favorites LuAnn Buckstein, Boni McIntyre, and Patrick Brownson.

     Del Shores has a real handle on the homophobia that courses through the veins of conservative redneck religionists. Given his eye and ear for the religious bigotry and ignorance in Texas family values you can be pretty well assured that a very fun ‘outing’ is awaiting you at The John Hand Theatre.

     If the production is a little rough around the edges technically speaking you will forgive all as soon as director Bernie Cardell and this shamelessly funny cast hit your funny bone at full tilt!

     There’s nothin’ like a wacky, tacky black comedy to make you forget the tragic events of workin’ at the office all week. This play will mind erase every trace of office mayhem and melodrama and comes highly recommended for this reason.

     

July 26 through August 17 at 7:30 pm at the John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Place, Denver, CO 80230.Marlowe's Musings