In this instance last night, there was a piano, simple cast movements, basic lighting, and . . . oh yeah . . . the cast was completely naked. You see, the musical was titled "Hanging Out" and was all about nudity, sex, and body image. There were four men and four women, each of whom had nerves of steal as far as I'm concerned. It was a very intimate setting in that there were only 18 of us in the audience. (More than once, I had to distract my eyes so I counted the audience.)
The cast went in and out (pun intended) of different sexual issues, and often had the balls (pun intended) to pretend to be their own genitalia. Other moments were tender and softer (pun intended). (I got a million of 'em! Tip your waiters.)
I applaud the writer/producer in that it was a very entertaining show, once I got over the fact that I was sitting crotch level in front of eight nude adults, ranging in age from about 30 to 60. If ever there was a show with a major distraction, this was it, but once I got beyond the boobies and "tinkle bottoms" (as my parents called them when I was young), I was able to listen to the lyrics and music.
I went with my friend Dan who wrote one of the songs titled, "Does This Song Make My Ass Look Big?" There was a great number depicting Mr. Rogers and his little friend Dick. And my favorite was a gospel choir song dedicated to "St. Viagra."
In Hollywood it is easy to get strong actors, which can make or break a new show. Otherwise a reading can be dreadful. Last night's performance had great singers and funny stand-up (sorry, that's the last pun). You should have seen the fear in the eyes of the audience in Act 2 when they asked for a volunteer. She did a great job and all she had to do was sit in a chair while the men sang to her.
All in all, it was a fun night. On the outside I was distinguished and poised. Inside I giggled like a ten-year-old and was dying to shout, "Look! I see his tinkle bottom!"
6 comments:
Where were in in 1972 when the off-Broadway show Oh! Calcutta! toured the USA naked? My mother loved it!
You are a great sense of humor. This blog made me laugh a lot. I really needed it because I had to wake up early today for a class because I walk to school. The alarm went off at 7:00 and I layed there until 7:30 in 10 minutes I will be off to school. Thanks for sharing this with me.
Doncha' just love LA? I could never attend a reading like this in Ravenswood, West Virginia.
I love to attend the Max 10 performances at the Electric Lodge in Venice. The last performance I attended featured a nude model who starts out in a bath robe and then spends the last minutes of his time prancing nude around the stage. At first I was VERY uncomfortable, but it didn't take long to appreciate his assets (no pun intended).
Bill,
It sounds like too much fun!! I just wish that I could have written some of those songs.
Elaine
Wait a minute. A reading doesn't involve wardrobe! Oh, I guess this one didn't.....
Nancy K
Just read parts of this to my 16-year-old daughter. (Didn't read it all!) She is very into theater and the development of new plays and was following "Title of Show" from the Internet to the stage. Also practically dragged me to "Spring Awakening," which we ended up seeing three times. At first I was worried about her seeing the small amount of nudity and "sex," but afterwards I realized it wasn't there for shock value but was an important part of the story.
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