PORN YESTERDAY: A Broad Gay Comedy
PORN YESTERDAY by Patricia Milton & Andrew Black, Directed by Jim Strait at The Thorny Theater, 2500 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA. Tel: 325-0853January 2 – January 31, 2009.
GOOD TRY BUT NO BRASS RING
Andrew Black and Patricia Milton “consider themselves the Comden and Greene of theatre for men who love other men.” Their self evaluation was confirmed when, in 2008, the New Conservatory Theatre Center in San Francisco presented the world premiere of a murder mystery escapade It’s Murder Mary receiving great reviews (my review can be found on http://www.forallevents.info/kedaradour/2008/05/its-murder-mary.html). Apparently Porn Yesterday is their first collaboration, has no production history and one could excuse the lack of spark, prevalent in their 2008 endeavor, as being part of a learning process.
To lampoon the classic play/movie Born Yesterday actually is a stroke of genius lending itself to broad humor intertwined with social awareness. We need humor and laughs in this time of financial/political turmoil and there is enough of each to partially recommend this play. Whereas the initial protagonist, played by Judy Holliday, was a dumb-blonde bimbo, the authors have invented Rex Everest (Phillip Hubler) a well-endowed (get the implication - “Mt. Everest”?) porn star who is transformed into an acceptable Shakespearean actor under the tutelage of Colin O’Hara (Craig Michaels) an androgynous acting instructor.
Rex’s older lover/employer is Vic Patterson (Tedd Zzenia) the owner of the highly lucrative porn studio. Added to the mix is Lance Arthur (Jerome Elliot) a wise-cracking accountant/confident for Vic. The final character, Edgar Montgomery(Terry Huber) is the manager of the impoverished acting company given a endowment/bribe to cast Rex in Edward the Second. Before I forget, Vic and Lance plan to huckster dildos, cast in the exact size of Rex’s major attribute in the lobby of the theatre where Rex will be performing!
The 45 minute first act that sets up the action is a bit tedious. The writing in the second act comes to life with two well-directed scenes, handled adroitly by most of the cast. Tedd Zzenia, who has a voice to die for, almost steals the show with his switch from infatuated lover to domineering owner protecting his moneymaker from the throes of Colin who has a low opinion of the porno industry. Intentional camp is tough to pull off but Jerome Elliott matches Zzenia’s ability with his understated zingers. Phillip Hubler handles the major role with verve but the conversion from druggie to Shakespearean actor does not ring true. He is hindered by Craig Michaels’ one-dimensional, finicky, rapid-fire delivery. Terry Huber’s role, necessary for plot development, does not offer much latitude to display acting ability.
Running time about one hour and 45 minutes with intermission.
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of TheatreWorld Internet Magazine