Tongue-in-cheek "Pulp" a Laugh Riot

Pulp

KBAQ | CurtainUpPhoenix.com
Chris Curcio
Publication Date: April 14, 2008

Trashy lesbian fiction novels from the ‘50s are the sources for Stray Cat Theatre’s deliciously fey new comedy, Pulp. Ron May, one of our finest local directors, encourages extreme, tongue-in-cheek melodramatic overacting from his fine comic acting ensemble to make this show a laugh riot.

Patricia Kane’s play, set in July 1956, takes place at The Well, “a cocktail lounge for ‘people of a certain ilk’.” Terry Logan, a WAC pilot and World War II veteran, makes a play for the general’s daughter. After that attempt fizzles, she leaves the military, heads for Chicago, and lands at the sleazy lesbian bar where she finds her true life as vampy and campy lesbians’ parade before her. The characters, including a trio of wacked out women plus the really outrageous nightclub chanteuse, Vivian Blaine, are all a hoot.

As the characters go through their lives, madcap fun ensues. Some of the humor stabs lesbians and that’s unfortunate, but the show is a rollicking laugh riot as the characters parade through their wildly over exaggerated mischief.

There are even several over-the-top songs stressing the period’s smoky sexiness that adds to the zesty comedy antics. Don’t go to Pulp expecting anything ordinary but do plan to laugh your head off as the performers milk every bit of silliness and devious innuendo out of the slyly ridiculous plot. Telling you anymore plot details would spoil the fun for lucky theatergoers who plan to see “Pulp.”

On top of May’s sharply focused and deftly humorous direction, he has cast five comic actresses who flow perfectly into the over drawn theatrics necessary to make Pulp so funny. Best is Johanna Carlisle’s Vivian, an over emoting, pent-up dyke just waiting for the right moment to pounce on some unsuspecting woman. She’s a master of the play’s crisply overdone comedic style.

Also good are Kim Jeffries’ frustrated bartender, Pepper, Tracy Payne’s Bing is complete with shocking red hair, and Cameo Hill howls as the whiny Winny. That leaves Katie Harroff’s masculine swagger as Terry who discovers her lesbian way at the Well.

You’ll have a great time at the irreverent Pulp. It continues through April 19. For tickets, call the Stray Cat Theatre box office at 480-820-8022 or go online at www.straycattheatre.org.

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