"Pagaent" the musical has returned to San Francisco and it can be crowned a winner.
Only here through this week, the drag beauty pageant spoof is worthy of checking out - if not just to see Cookie Dough on roller skates and with an authentic Hispanic accent.
The show has been advertised as there's a different winner every night as certain audience members are asked to be judges to crown a winner. That didn't seem to be the case on opening night when the scores given to the contestants seemed to be thrown aside for a three way tie. Audience members discussed this after the show in the Victoria Theatre's lobby and even going as far as pointing to the poster which says the audience picks the winner.
I too was baffled as I have seen this show before and don't remember a tie. So I did find out what happen. Apparently, there was a tie for SECOND place but the director who gives the winner's name to the MC on stage just heard TIE and thought it was a threeway tie for first. If this had been a real pageant, then I'm sure there would be a new ceremony to crown the true victor (or victoria...lol). But in this case, it's just a musical comedy and if you want to see another winner, go again. And that's part of the thrill of live theatre.
"Pageant" tells of six finalists in the Miss Glamouresse competition in which they have to compete in categories such as talent, evening wear and the ever dreaded talent (as the characters don't have much talent). In fact, it reminds me of the funny little-seen film "Smile" (which had real females including Melanie Griffith) and in that movie I remember one character's talent was packing luggage.
Back to our show, besides Cookie Dough who was a marvel, all of the other performers have their chance to shine.
Aaron Brewer as Miss Bible Belt has plenty of time to eat the scenery and let everyone in on the joke. There were some genuine moments from Brewer that prove he's a pro at ad-libbing.
Tim Holmsley's Miss Texas is also a "winner" as he has the big Texas hair and the never-stop-smiling beauty contest face down-pact.
And then there's Jonathan Deline as Miss Deep South. His awkward charm is winning but he really stands out in the talent competition with his puppet show.
EVERYONE is amazing in the spoofy spokesmodel competition in which they demo godawful beauty products.
It's not a show without flaws though - and I don't mind the tallying snafu. The songs have never been the shows strong-suit (even though the line about "having something extra" is a hoot in a drag show). The sets and props in this production are less developed than I saw in the other two incarnations I saw of "Pageant," Yet, being crowded second runner-up isn't a bad thing.
Catch "Pageant" this Thursday-Saturday at 8pm at the Victoria Theatre for $25 or less. Get more information at www.robbie-wayne-productions.com.
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