the Go Gos

REVIEW:  Anything goes in Ryan Landry’s ‘The Rocky Menorah Christmas Show’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Three chrome microphones, two slaying reindeer and one Mrs. Grinchley describes just a fraction of Ryan Landry’s wild tale as The Gold Dust Orphans presented The Rocky Menorah Christmas Show which recently ended its run on December 23 live and in person at the Iron Wolf Theatre at the Lithuanian Citizens Association in South Boston, Massachusetts.  This vintage-style Rocky Horror musical parody was strictly for adults containing graphic nudity and is 90 minutes with one intermission.  Click here for more information and the full advisory.

From ugly holiday sweaters to antler ears to twinkling light necklaces to candy cane shirts, it was a festive and dynamic crowd that attended The Rocky Horror Menorah Christmas Show.  Refreshments and merchandise were available at the theatre and envelopes were taped to the back of each seat for donations.

TURN AROUND: Taryn Lane as Janet and Eric McGowan as Brad, Briana Scafidi, Alex Davis, Kaedon Gray, and Spookey as the Snow Cone Dancers Photo by Michael von Redlich

The Gold Dust Orphans are known for delivering their own take on vintage films indicated by the retro black and white tube TV which illustrated each theme that was happening onstage through various film montages from Bambi to The Shining.  This is The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a holiday twist, but do not expect to hear the songs known from the popular film.  Though the story’s characters, a portion of the costumes, and set up are similar which included the signature glittering lips, A Rocky Menorah Christmas Show featured original music with a jingle bell twist by Tad McKittrick and Tim Lawton parodying a number of popular songs by Patti Smith, David Bowie, Meatloaf, Bonnie Tyler, Taylor Dayne, Joe Cocker and the Go-Gos.

Welcome comedic local references varied from quips about North Shore Massachusetts accents to local landmarks to host puppets ‘GBH’s Jim Braude and Margery Eagan bringing clever humor to their signature banter.  Additionally, The Brookline Sisters, a vintage trio of glittering backup singers in red, green and yellow composed of Tad McKittrick, Lizette Morris and Gina Carmella, acted as commentators and semi-narrators throughout this production.

To be clear, never been a fan of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in any of its various forms.  After several attempts, still not a fan.  Rocky Horror Picture Show is considered a cult classic, but in the Tim Curry-iness of it all, Clue is the preferred cult classic in this critic’s book.

BRAD&JANET: Eric McGowan as Brad Keebler and Taryn Lane as Janet Winky Photos by Michael von Redlich

Sure, The Rocky Horror Picture Show 1975 film was risqué and banked on shock value not particularly relevant to the story and this show is similar in that regard.  The Rocky Menorah Christmas Show focuses on two Christian elves decked out in fluffy pink and blue that spring a flat on their sled and their only hope is to get help at a mysterious and ice laden castle.  Janet, depicted by Taryn Lane, is an insufferable, demanding, melodramatic, and superstitious know-it-all while Brad, portrayed by Eric McGowan, is a henpecked, timid, and dimwitted follower. 

Ryan Landry as Mrs. Grinchley dons convincing green makeup and depicts the mastermind of this particular operation accompanied by ghoulish companions Kiki Samko as maid Fuchsia and Joey Pelletier as Butler Gift Wrap.  Though at first this Grinch can be a mean one, Murphy’s Grinchley is a candid and bawdy creature that runs the moral compass of this zany universe.   Political and religious ribbings and commentary run as amok as this lusty and at times darkly humorous tale takes shape.

GRINCHLEY: Kaedon Gray and Briana Scafidi as the Snow Cone Dancers, Ryan Landry as Mrs. Grinchley Photo by Michael von Redlich

Directed by Kiki Samko and choregraphed by Briana Scafidi, the cast collectively delivered strong vocals and are skilled dancers especially in the athleticism and impressive stunts performed by Spookey in a Speedo and sunglasses featured in 20th Century Boy.  This semi-immersive and interactive show occasionally breaks the 4th wall and the characters sometimes are not limited to the stage.

FUCHSIA & GIFTWRAP: Kiki Samko as Fuchsia and Joey Pelletier as Gift Wrap Photo by Michael von Redlich

The Rocky Menorah Christmas Show is fast paced, but especially in the second half, starts to lose focus and hits a fork in the road in more ways than one.   From a dirty Santa to blow up astronauts to demons to ghouls to tap dancing reindeer to a blow up yellow monster, anything goes and this cast does not leave much to the imagination.  While the show does not seem to take itself seriously, when it does toward the end, its strong message seems a strange extra in this wild parody.

The Gold Dust Orphans presented The Rocky Menorah Christmas Show which recently ended its run on December 23 live and in person at the Iron Wolf Theatre at the Lithuanian Citizens Association in South Boston, Massachusetts.  This vintage-style Rocky Horror musical parody was strictly for adults containing graphic nudity and is 90 minutes with one intermission.  Click here for more information and the full advisory.

REVIEW: Fueled by Go-Gos pop-punk nostalgia, The Umbrella Stage Company’s ‘Head Over Heels’ a frothy farce with a unique beat

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

The expression, ‘Out with the old, in with the new’ takes on new meaning for Umbrella Stage Company’s dynamic musical, Head Over Heels, a gender-bending jukebox musical comedy which includes a case of mistaken identity that integrates the renaissance with contemporary themes and the 80s in Arcadia, a land that thrives on a beat.  If that seems like a lot, it’s because this ambitious show tackles a lot in its approximately 2-hour time frame. 

The cast of ‘Head over Heels’ Photo courtesy of Gillian Mariner Gordon/Umbrella Arts

With resourceful direction by Brian Boruta, The Umbrella Stage Company presents Head Over Heels the Musical live and in person at the beautifully-renovated Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow Street in Concord, MA through Sunday, May 8.  This show may not be appropriate for young children.  Click here for more information at for tickets.

Who else to handle a beat but the Go-Gos!  Following a string of jukebox musicals such as Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia! (featuring music from Abba), Movin’ Out (featuring music from Billy Joel), Good Vibrations (featuring music from the Beach Boys), Moulin Rouge and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (both which deliver covers of contemporary pop songs), 80s pop princesses the Go-Gos handle this production’s unique beat.  This lighthearted show highlights many of the Go-Gos snappy, feel-good numbers such as Vacation, Our Lips are Sealed, Head Over Heels, and We Got the Beat along with some lesser known tracks that don’t land as well.

Kai Clifton as Pythio and cast Photo courtesy of Gillian Mariner Gordon/Umbrella Arts

Head Over Heels is lively and cheerful in presentation from overhead neon lights, versatile surrounding white columns, and a live band veiled behind translucent curtains onstage by set designer Janie Howland to bold and bright period costumes in pink, green, and yellow weaving 80s glam with a rock-n-roll edge by Brian Simon and Johnny Cagno to the rollicking, up-tempo choreography by Lara Finn Banister.

Temma Boudreau as Philoclea and John Breen as Musidorus Photo courtesy of Gillian Mariner Gordon/Umbrella Arts

Based loosely on Sir Phillip Sidney’s The Arcadia, Head Over Heels is a farce that follows a few Arcadian love stories with one taking a cue from Shakespeare as love struck shepherd Musidorus, portrayed by John Breen, must disguise himself in order to gain approval to marry Princess Pilocleas, portrayed by Temma Beaudrea.  Beaudrea and Breen have a brimming, awkward, and excitable chemistry as they fight not only the royal rules, but the predictions from a mysterious oracle that ultimately sees the kingdom’s demise unless things change.  Meanwhile, Philocleas’s sister, Pamela, portrayed with humorous narcissism by Bri Ryder, is proclaimed fairest in the land, but a groom might not be what she has her sights on after all.

Damon Singletary as Basilius Photo courtesy of Gillian Mariner Gordon/Umbrella Arts

Damon Singletary as King Basilius brings gravitas and humor to the king’s bombastic nature while Kate Pickett’s flirty and dry sarcasm makes Gynecia a scene stealer.  Robert Saoud as Dametas portrays the sympathetic and seemingly sole voice of reason.   While the majority of the characters are so fixated on what each of them wants, Dametas and Kai Clifton, a commanding presence as Pythio, may be the only ones capable of seeing the bigger picture.  Singletary and Saoud deliver some amusing scenes together as they share differing outlooks on this kingdom’s shaky ground. 

Katie Pickett with cast Photo courtesy of Gillian Mariner Gordon/Umbrella Arts

The humor ranges from irreverent to absurd to charming.  Head over Heels makes some deliberate and clever points in its storytelling, but can get more fixated on what each character stands for rather than giving the characters more depth.  However, If you enjoy a frivolous farce dipped in 80s nostalgia, this “trifle” as Sir Phillip Sidney has called his prose, this one may be for you.

The Umbrella Stage Company presents Head Over Heels the Musical live and in person at the beautifully-renovated Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow Street in Concord, MA through Sunday, May 8.  This show may not appropriate for young children.  Click here for more information at for tickets.