Tag: Royal George Theatre
Campy Country and Whimsical Twang: ‘The Doyle and Debbie Show’
By Devlyn Camp
Jokes are at their funniest when they are based on absolute fact. When a Saturday Night Live player gets the laugh, they nailed the politician impression perfectly. If a Sedaris story tickles you, it’s because it’s true. The Doyle and Debbie Show gets it just right in their spoof of a washed-up country music duo because, well, they know how to be a washed-up country duo. The night is Doyle’s big comeback on the stage with his third replacement Debbie in a Nashville “concert.” They greet the fantastically over decorated Royal George Theatre cabaret audience and put on sixteen of the “old” Doyle and Debbie’s big hits. The cabaret is plastered in vintage Patsy Cline posters and autographed country stars’ photos. Complete with a bar, old Christmas lights and neon beer signs, the hazy tavern setting is perfect for the extremely talented actors to showcase these outrageous characters.
Bruce Arntson and Jenny Littleton, in the title roles, deliver punch lines quick and often, making jabs at each other constantly without the other noticing. The between-song dialogue, in which the two tell short anecdotes, is brilliant. Their tales poke at the extreme Christian, profoundly pro-American aspects most people relate with the CMT crowd. At points, this laugh-til-you-cry dialogue actually beats out the music. But the music is great, and the lyrics are incredibly funny. They have every cowboy cliché America loves to tease and tickling sad mid-song monologues. Not to say this act is mean. It’s almost an homage to the washed-up duos out there. In fact, the actors are Nashville-based performers, which makes this show feel just that much more legitimate. Although I’ve had few thrilling encounters with country myself, it’s easy to say this is one of the most fun country music experiences you’ll ever have.
THE DOYLE AND DEBBIE SHOW
Royal George Theatre
Now through January 8th, 2012
Tickets $49.50, available at www.doyleanddebbie.com
or www.theroyalgeorgetheatre.com
Contact critic at devlynmc@yahoo.com
The Boy in Black at Royal George Theatre
By Devlyn Camp
Chicago Fusion Theatre at the Royal George Theatre is presenting a season of works by Tony Meneses, beginning with The Boy in Black. Their black box production is quirky and cute, but overall sits at average. The play follows a boy who is surrounded by people whose names and personalities are based on the colors they wear. Those who wear colors have found love, and the boy in black, obviously, has not. It’s easy to see that this particular production isn’t at fault for an average show; the story is less than subpar. Fusion’s production probably improves on the unfortunate script. There’s some decent acting and funny jokes here and there. In fact, the best part of the show is a running gag that has little to do with the plot, in which a pretty woman named Ms. Pink and her large Hispanic lover Mr. Pink keep popping up to do cute couple things and rub their puppy love in everyone’s faces.
The cast pushes through, whether the set is falling down or props are misplaced. Sometimes the best part of black box theatre is watching crew and cast recuperate from mistakes, especially if they can acknowledge it and make it a joke. Among other shows opening, The Boy in Black is certainly not the worst. This production takes what they’re given and has the most fun they possibly can with college-level talent.
THE BOY IN BLACK
Royal George Theatre
Now through November 12th
Tickets $25, available at chicagofusiontheatre.org
or call (312) 988-9000
Contact critic at devlynmc@yahoo.com
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