Theatre sometimes is best in small packages. So it’s always a delight when the Willows Theatre Company is putting on a production – especially one that is aimed towards a gay audience.
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Their cabaret in Martinez seems to be a surprising venue for something as gay as “Pageant,” yet it seems very much at home on their intimate stage and will hopefully be extended beyond its June 28 closing date.
"Pageant" played in San Francisco a few years ago to great success. And this production had tough pumps to fill as I love Trauma Flintstone (what a name) in the San Francisco production. This show is well-suited for San Francisco as it's the story of six finalists in the Miss Glamouresse beauty pageant - and all contestants are played by men. Some of the six look like men in drag but that's part of the fun. And yet there are a few that really make pretty women, in particular Richard Rust as Miss Texas. And while Rust is the pretty one, Daniel Ross Noble is the talented singer, whose voice knocks the roof off the tiny Montgomery theatre. All-in-all, each of the actors get their chance to shine and the show is very witty at the same time, including having songs with clever lyrics referring to each contestant has "something extra." The winner of the "Pageant" is different every performance as select audience members are given numbers to hold up at the end for each contestant...think "Dancing with the Stars" and their judging paddles.
The Willows main stage in Concord and cabaret in Martinez are both wonderful places to see shows and they've been really good at showcasing the forgotten musical rather than the standard overdone productions. And there's a bonus if you go the Cabaret as they serve an array of snacks, cocktails, desserts and sodas during the show.
To get tickets or to see what's coming next, go to www.willowstheatre.org.
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