Dame Edna: Back with a Vengeance!

Devised and written by Barry Humphries

At the Cadillac Palace Theatre

151 W. Randolph Street

Chicago, IL

Call 312-902-1400, tickets $32.50 - $65

Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30 PM

Friday at 8 PM

Saturday at 2 & 8 PM

Sunday at 3 PM

Running time is 2 hrs, 20 min with intermission

Through March 19, 2006

She’s back! Dame Edna and her entourage delights

From her first “Hellooo, Possums…I’m Back…,” the laughs start and never let up. Dame Edna (aka Barry Humphries) is one of a kind. She is an Australian whirlwind, a true polished performer whose stage presence is amazing. Dressed in those outrageous rhinestone studded glasses, purple hair and loud, gosh dresses, Dame Edna’s version of reality is to be kind to her audiences while abusing them with her wit, charm and zingers.

This was my first live encounter with the sassy and lovable Dame. I laughed at her shtick and I marveled on how she can make her show all about talking to the audience. She takes audience participation to its highest level.

While there is some structure to her show, basically Dame Edna opens with an extravagant musical number with her pianist Wayne Barker and her two dancing beauties, Teri DiGianfelice and Michelle Pampena that  quickly wins audiences. Edna is so funny and quick that she commands the stage impressively. She sings, dances (sort’ a), gives psychic readings, does marriage counseling and heals the depressed all while throwing digs to the audience.

This hilarious show is made so funny by Dame Edna’s deft use and manipulation of her audience. Seldom have I witnessed such rapport that features light-hearted humor at the expense of audiences. In the hands of such a master craftsman, the show is clever and the foibles of human nature are gently spoofed. She has fun and we love it—and her. When Dame Edna cajoles audience members to the stage, she shines as we become relieved that we were not picked as guinea pigs. Watching Dame Edna work the audience dry from exuding every possible laugh was a lesson in stage craft and rapport building. If you’ve never seen this amazingly funny act, get to the Cadillac Palace before March 19 and sit as close as possible so you can really be apart of the show.

Recommended

Tom Williams

Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments

Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast

Date Reviewed March 14, 2006