Glitter in the Gutter, a new show written and directed by Kellan Alexander, has been deemed, “the first and only live Drag Queen sitcom.” Thanks to Alexander’s admiration for larger-than-life females, Chicagoans will have the opportunity to view a truly outrageous production that lives up to all the quarks of a John Waters film.
The show centers around roommates Pepper LaRoo and Velveeta Fitzgerald (Seth Dodson and Wes Perry respectively). Despite living in a cardboard world, the girls know they are glamorous, even if it is only in their own minds. These heroines are trashy chic, self absorbed and on the verge of eviction. These trivial setbacks won’t prevent them from living in la la land while they aspire to become big name stars. What happens to a friendship when that dream is only going to be a reality for one of them? Friendship, sisterhood and all things tucked will be challenged in this over-the-top, unabashedly gay and thoroughly entertaining stage show.
Originally, Glitter in the Gutter, had humble begins as only part of the Annoyance Theatre’s Triple Feature series on Wednesday nights. Thanks to its popularity (and rightfully so), the show blossomed in to its own production and will run Thursday nights until March 11th.
The show opens to Velveeta and Pepper in their crummy apartment. With these two, the drag persona is who they really are thus even the most mundane events in life are met with diva-like tenacity. The girls attempt to recall the events of the night before. While the girls piece together what they can remember, their arch nemesis/ rival performer Beverly Poon (Sarah Fineout) enters their apartment. Beverly informs Pepper the man she met the night before was none other than a famous recording producer named Vinnie Cancer (Ben Kass). Of course this news sends the girls into hysterics as they plot wooing him in order to land a recording contract. When Vinnie arrives at the apartment for his date, he offers Pepper the chance of a lifetime by signing her to his label. Of course Pepper can’t actually sing but can lip-sync with the best of them. Velveeta, who actually has talent, is overlooked by Vinnie. Feeling scorned, Velveeta runs away from home and finds herself in a hobosexual relationship with the resident bag lady (Rachel Reed).
The production is pretty low budget. Almost everything is made from cardboard but that just adds to its charm. One of my favorite stage elements of the show was a cardboard and cellophane window. The window, which is operated by a pulley off stage, is hilariously lowered for every painful recollection/longing moment in the show. The show was managed to stay light and over-the-top regardless of the circumstances.
The actors themselves added a great element to the show. Dodson’s, who is a fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, transformed Pepper in to a character reminiscent of Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous. Perry, who grew up watching John Waters films, created a character that is the perfect blend of the great Divine and Mrs. Garret from The Facts of Life. As a fan of the campy/drag world, I was thoroughly impressed by this dynamic duo and would love to see further productions showcasing the mishaps of their alter egos daily lives.
Perhaps one of the most interesting spins on this show is that one of the drag queens is actually played by a biological woman. Sarah Fineout, who aptly plays the villainess Beverly Poon, is perhaps the scariest (in a good way) of the drag queens. Thanks to the makeup and her voice, she definitely leaves a lasting impression and left me wanting a copy of her hit single.
The rest of the cast was also very entertaining. Officer Rick Pony (Alex Moffat) looked like he should have been featured at an all male cabaret given his attire (were talking tight shorts, wheelie shoes and his shirt tied to further expose himself). Despite his appearance, Officer Pony is a tough guy who has a soft spot and short fuse when it comes to Pepper and Velveeta. The bag lady (Rachel Reed) was a real scene stealer and definitely had the best lines of the show.
In my opinion, it’s refreshing to find a drag show that isn’t pandering specifically to the tourist/bachelorette crowd. Glitter in the Gutter is chalked full of great lines that I can dream of incorporating in to my vernacular. To put it simply, tickets are well worth the $10 admission fee.
For more information on Glitter in the Gutter, check out The Annoyance Theatre website at http://www.annoyanceproductions.com/index.shtml.
