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Jerry Springer – The Opera
Music by Richard Thomas
Book & Lyrics by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas
Directed by David Zak
Choreographed by Brenda Didier
Musical Direction by Gary Powell
At Bailiwick Repertory
1229 W. Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL
Call 773-883-1090, tickets $25 - $30
Thursday thru Saturday at 7:30 pm
Sundays at 3:30 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 50 minutes with intermission
Through August 19, 2007
Outrageous, funny and lewd Jerry Springer – The Opera is a coup for Bailiwick Repertory
No one can mount a large scale non-Equity musical with a small budget and still get a terrific production better than David Zak and his company at Bailiwick Repertory. Their latest success is the 29 member cast pop cultural musical: Jerry Springer – The Opera. It is a master work combining the highest forms of art and the lowest forms of cultural—opera and day time television. The result is a hilarious, raunchy opera that his a high energy, well sung spoof of Jerry Springer, TV and our penchant for low life characters. Everyone mocks the Jerry Springer show (yet many still watch it) because somehow we love to see trailer park losers reveal their secrets. This show features clever writing by Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee who present a serious of typical unusual characters who are each desperate to have “their Jerry Springer moment.” They are also adapt at rich musical styles and motifs in a pure opera mode.
We are warmed up by the 21 member chorus whose operatic style emotes rich voices in a classic style adding rich harmonies that underscore and enhance the show. Filled with outrageous foul language (the F word is in full bloom), the sung through style creates rich humor and gives a satirical edge to the work. The opera is raw yet musically sophisticated. It is funny and takes no prisoners as it mocks our cultural institutions and mores.
The show starts out as on ode to Jerry Springer’s cult status. Jeremy Rill is terrific as both the warm up man and later the devil. Rill has a strong voice and terrific comic timing. Brian Simmons looks and has Jerry Springer’s persona down pat in a captivating performance that Jerry himself would appreciate. The complete cast of Springer low-life reveals their secrets, cuss each other out and fight as their embarrassments come to life on TV. From the guy who cheats on his fiancé with her best friend and a drag queen man to the guy who loves to crap in the diaper to the fat lady who wants to pole dance, all the trash make their way to Jerry’s show. They are crude, foul-mouthed and violent—yet they make us laugh as they sing, dance and fight before our eyes.
Song titles such as : “Bigger Than Oprah,” “Montel cums Dry,” “Talk to the Hand,” “ Mamma Gimme Smack on the Asshole” aptly give you an idea of the shows content. Keep in mind that the voices are over all adequate and the chorus is outstanding.
Act two and three find Springer in purgatory than he battles in hell. Here the show attacks Jesus, God, angels and everything Christian in a terrific biting attack on religion. The disgusting diaper man (Jeffrey A. Bouthiette) returns as Jesus while Jerrmey Rill steals the final two acts as the devilish Devil. His vocals are awesome and his comedy is terrific.
Some of the highlights (lowlights really) are a tap dancing KKK complete in white coverings; Satan and Jesus sings a duet and a rousing finale complete with a Broadway flair in the grand tradition of show stoppers. This is a funny, crude and well performed opera that will challenge you to laugh and have a good time. It isn’t for the conservative religious sorts but it is for anyone who loves a smart, well done satirical musical. It is musically excellent, high energy and funny.
Kudos to David Zak for the chutzpah to mount this controversial treat. He has a hit show that will sparkle throughout the summer. See this show and see how non-Equity musical theatre can be terrific. The show will quickly reach cult status.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@Chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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