Thank You For Being a Pal

The Golden Gals Live!

With the Ball dropping and a New Year beginning, the 2023 theatre season kicks off at Mercury Theater Chicago with a brand new production. Most of the cast is also brand new to Chicago audiences, but the characters they play and the stories they share are old favorites to most every audience member. Anyone who’s a fan of the 1980’s television sitcom, “The Golden Girls,” now in syndication on cable and streaming on Hulu, will know Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia, the Golden Gals who are sharing a house in Miami, Florida. Faithful viewers will also recognize many of the familiar storylines, plot twists and bizarre complications that have been melded together in this fresh visit with the quartet of sassy, brassy senior citizens.

Chicago audiences may remember the director and star of this production, Ginger Minj. This brazen, bodacious beauty recently  dazzled as Zaza/Albin in Music Theater Works’ stellar production of “La Cage aux Folles.” This talented triple-threat was also a fan favorite and multiple finalist on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” She’s a recording artist, has appeared in several Netflix films, and was in the recent Disney+ movie, “Hocus Pocus 2.” Here spicy Ginger Minj portrays sexy southern belle, Blanche, in this new theatrical production.

Another face familiar face to Chicago theatre fans may be the hardest-working actor in this cast. Jason Richards, who starred as George opposite Ginger Minj in “La Cage,” plays no less than four different supporting characters. Besides being a truly talented, versatile and charismatic actor, Mr. Richards has mastered all his quick costume and wig changes with aplomb. He’s sweet and delightful as Dorothy’s estranged sister, Gloria; he’s appropriately bawdy and dorky as Dorothy’s ex-husband, Stan; he’s loud and raunchy playing local Miami actor, Bert Reynolds; and near the end of the play, he appears as an agreeable Italian priest, jet-lagged Uncle Angelio. The audience waits with anticipation to see which character Jason Richards will turn up as next.

A talented cast of professional drag queen artists/actresses star as the other three Golden Gals. Divine Grace is a commanding Dorothy, in perfect, full control of every situation and conflict. She’s particularly good when the Gals decide to pass the time during a hurricane by putting on a variety show. A very nervous Dorothy attempts standup comedy with a few jokes she’s written, and she surprises everyone by her talent. With her tall stature and deep voice, Divine Grace is a big hit.

Like Ginger Minj, Gidget Galore hails from Central Florida where she’s been in the entertainment business for years. Known primarily for her costumes, wigs and glitzy accoutrements, Gidget has worked at theaters, theme parks and left her mark at both Disney World and Universal Orlando. Here she plays the naive, wide-eyed innocent originally from St. Olaf, Minnesota. She evokes raucous laughter from the crowd as she and Blanche return from rehearsing a community theatre production of “The Sound of Music,” still wearing their nun habits. When, during the course of the show, an unexpected romance blossoms, poor Rose doesn’t even realize she’s the object of a certain someone’s affection.

And, as Sophia says, “Picture it.” This red-hot Sicilian Mama is deliciously played by drag star, MR MS Adrien, the self-professed reigning National Comedy Queen. Also originally from Orlando, the performer has recently relocated to New York City, where she now holds court. MR MS Adrien’s Sophia is the most energetic portrayal imaginable. She’s feisty, funny and fantastic as she performs an hilarious Tina Turner-like musical number during the variety show segment. Sophia releases her inner diva as she sings, dances and shakes her fringe-covered groove thing, much to the audience’s wild approval.

In addition to Ginger Minj’s deft direction, partnered with writer/co-director Joshua Eads, the production features the talents of several other unseen artists. Richard Kuntz helps bring all the colorful characters to life with his extraordinary wigs and costumes. Also serving as Production Manager, multitalented Bob Silton has designed a beautiful Miami living room and lanai for the show that looks very much like the actual television set. And what would a parody of “The Golden Girls” be without their famous theme song! Musical Supervisor Aaron Aikens presents the familiar tune rewritten as “Thank You For Being a PAL.” In addition, all the incidental music from the TV series is piped in, helping join the scenes together and end each act.

The many hooting, howling audience members opening night really enjoyed this new production and gave the diligent, talented cast a standing ovation. But it should be remembered that Chicago has often enjoyed its own company of gifted Golden Girls over the years, thanks to David Cerda’s Hell in a  Handbag “Lost Episodes.” The big difference between these two theatrical satires is that, while “The Golden Gals” borrows its storylines directly from the original television series, tweaking the episodes for the predominately LGBT+ audiences, Mr. Cerda’s “Lost Episodes” are all original stories. And while very funny, the characters in this new production don’t seem as honest or organic as the Hell in a Handbag portrayals. Each of the “Gals” are like a one-man show, trying to outdo their cast mates. In contrast, David Cerda’s cast of “Golden Girls” seem to actually love and care for each other.

This new production, fresh from sunny Florida, is festive and fun. It’s a feast for the eyes and ears and provides liberal Chicago audiences with plenty of bawdy humor. The performances are appropriately over-the-top, as are the costumes, wigs and makeup, and the laughter flows continually. It’s always wonderful to see a group of talented, outrageous drag performers at the top of their game, and “The Golden Gals” will definitely warm a cold Chicago night as they thank their enthusiastic patrons for “Being a Pal.”                 

Recommended 

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented January 13-February 12 by Fruit Wine Productions at the Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the theater box office, by calling 773-360-7365 or by going to www.MercuryTheaterChicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.