![Molly Denninghoff, Francisco "Pancho" Villegas, and Dana Nicholson in Eating Raoul](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/hash/7e/e6/7ee6d94f57ab6a3eed069cb551d2d8f5.jpg "Molly Denninghoff, Francisco "Pancho" Villegas, and Dana Nicholson in Eating Raoul")
Director Steven Eubank's name is synonymous in these parts with wildly campy, hilarious romps down the oh-so-twisted rabbit hole—think The Rocky Horror Show, Reefer Madness, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, but he has outdone himself with Eating Raoul The Musical, now playing at the Off-Center Theatre in Crown Center.
Before the action even begins, the audience is treated to big, bold, colorful retro patterns in the stage décor, and some of the dizzyingly psychedelic music that the swinging 60s was so famous for. Let the magic-mushroom-eating begin!
And you’d need to snarf a truckload of magic mushrooms before you’d be able to swallow the plot twists of this helter-skelter performance. But, really, there’s no need to analyze any of the characters or actions you’re about to see onstage. The key to enjoying the mind-bending experience of Eating Raoul The Musical is to simply pretend that you’ve just entered another dimension of time and space, where nothing is going to make much sense. Then, just go with the (slightly edgy) flow, and you’re sure to have an exhilarating trip.
The two main characters, Paul (Dana Joel Nicholson) and Mary (Molly Denninghoff) Bland may be living in mellow California during the Summer of Love, but swingers, they definitely ain’t. In fact, they hardly touch each other, except for a few chaste pecks on the cheeks. Their two single beds are as many inches apart as the censors decreed for Lucy’s and Desi’s. But they’re still a married couple who share the same dream—getting away from the sordid, unsavory L.A. lifestyle amidst the sex-crazed swinging singles in their apartment building, and opening up a sweet little restaurant in the country.
How they go about pursuing their dream turns out to be rather unorthodox—even for the 1960s in la-la land. This play is not for dyed-in-the-wool prudes, but the basic innocence of the Blands (who are shocked at everything) goes a long way towards making some of the rather outrageous shenanigans more palatable for the squeamish.
The cast is very strong, especially the lead characters—Molly Denninghoff and Dana Joel Nicholson, whose voices make even the least memorable of the songs sound positively thrilling. Francisco “Pancho” Villegas dazzles as Raoul, and he belts out his numbers with a passion. Ashley Otis (as Donna the Dominatrix) alternately sizzles and simpers. And Ethan Miller shines in the “Ginger Rogers and Ginger Rogers” routine, which brings the whole house down.
The musical was inspired by the 1982 black comedy cult classic, Eating Raoul. It’s unbeatable “escape” entertainment. And you’ll never look at a frying pan in quite the same way again.
THE FINE PRINT
Eating Raoul The Musical runs through July 3 at the Off Center Theatre in Crown Center. For tickets, call 816-842-9999, or go to www.egadstheatre.com
Comments
It certainly *sounds* deliciously wicked! What a fun premise.
Nicely written review! You have the right idea - just go with the flow and enjoy.
I would love to check out this play. It doesn't sound like it is for everyone, but it sounds fun to me.
Very much a play for "grown up" audiences. A lot of energy.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!