Musical Theatre to Die For
Making Necrophiliac - A Musical Comedy is a collaborative work by writer/lyricist Maureen Chaume, and composer/musician Guy Del Villano. A veteran entertainer, Del Villano accompanies the cast on stage, and goes from keyboard to guitar to accordion with ease. Backup vocals and rhythms by the Fabulous Doo-Wop Gals (Amanda Strawn, Francine Laroche, Willow) add a sparkle of nostalgia.
The cast includes Sherry Thurig as deluded diva Desiree Devine, and James (Jim) Murchison as Beauregard Blake, the Actor. Laszlo Szijarto is SlowSlide Sam, Desiree's long-lost love. Szijarto plays guitar and bongos to accompany some of the songs, such as the jazzy torch number "Make Me Happy", with a strong vocal by Thurig; and the Caribbean party beats of "He's the Cat!". Murchison wails on harmonica for the "Bad Actor Blues."
Thurig's performance as Desiree (aka lunch waitress Dolores Pitt) is sweet and wholesome with a brittle edge, which compliments the naive egocentricity of Murchison's Beauregard Blake, and jumps up the tension between starry-eyed Desiree and jaded, cynical SlowSlide Sam. The chemistry between Thurig and Szijarto was less than perfect for the love scenes, but the pair carried through with humor, and the love ballad, "Desiree's Song" was a poignant moment of the show.
Supporting actors are Helen Roos as Frau Ingrid Schultz; and Marc Grandmaison as Howie, the Handyman. Roos finished off the first act with a rousing version of "I Vanna Get Schpanked!". Unfortunately, audience hilarity overwhelmed many of the lyrics. Guy Del Villano came onstage as Klaus the Kinky Accordion Player, and the appearance of leather doo-wop boys (Jim Murchison and Marc Grandmaison) created a visual absurdity inspired by the cabaret of early 20th-century Germany.
The show premiered in Ottawa over a year ago, and it was clear that some audience members had been to Making Necro before. There is some (optional) audience participation. Those in the front row should be prepared to get up and boogie with the cast for the aptly-named piano tune, "The Grand Imperial Boogie". Many audience members also joined in the chorus of the title song "Necrophiliac", and gleefully shouted out the ensemble dialogue lines.
Despite occasional sloppy choreography, and a couple of obviously missed cues, the overall energy and sense of fun carried through the performance, to a standing ovation at curtain call.
Due to some risque lyrics in one of the songs, Making Necrophiliac - A Musical Comedy is recommended for teens and up. The next performance is in production for 2009.
Making Necrophiliac - A Musical Comedy
