DIRTY BLONDE @ CYGNET

“Dirty Blonde” at Cygnet: Damn Good (Not So Clean) Fun  

Words by Kristen Fogle

“When I'm good, I'm very good. But when I'm bad I'm better.” “It takes two to get one in trouble.” “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.” “Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just glad to see me.” …The curvy bombshell whose rise to stardom began on the New York vaudeville scene and closed with the commercial failure “Sextette” at the “tender” age of 85—Mae West is nothing if not memorable.

Cygnet presents “Dirty Blonde”—directed by Cygnet Artistic Director Sean Murray—a biography that takes its audience on a roller coaster through the ups and down (mostly ups) of West’s career, presented mostly chronologically, whilst introducing us to the characters of Jo and Charlie, two modern day individuals that meet while visiting Mae’s grave. Jo idolizes Mae’s boldness; Charlie’s connection to the star began with a boyhood obsession, leading him to visit the (then) aging star in LA when he was only 17. As Jo and Charlie attempt to figure out their relationship, an unexpected hang-up of Charlie’s presents itself; no spoiler here—let’s just say Charlie’s peculiarity makes for wonderful spectating.

Though we are obviously interested in the ‘will they’ or ‘won’t they’ of Jo and Charlie’s could-be romance, Mae is at the center of it all, and we are taken through her life from start to finish, through fledgling vaudeville acts, court appearances for morals charges, her Vegas and Broadway shows, on into the end of her glorious career.

Behind the sexy maven is Melinda Gilb, whose vocal impression of Mae is spot on, paying homage to all those deliciously clever one liners of hers. She also plays the delightfully average, modern day Jo and transitions between her and the amazing Mae effortlessly. Steve Gunderson (Charlie) is skilled in portraying a character that is sweet, smart, and every girl’s best friend (he also plays several other smaller parts, including an impressive W.C. Fields). David McBean is the most versatile, however, playing a variety of smaller roles with diverse accents and personalities. (He also has a wonderful voice which he showcases a little here and a lot recently in Arts Off Broadway’s “Next to Normal.”)

The play runs 1 hour and 40 minutes, and be advised, there is no intermission. Intermission-less shows can be anxiety inducing, but with a fun pink stage that hosts a variety of props, gags, songs, and characters, boredom was the last thing on anyone’s mind. Props to the “Dirty” behind the scenes team that made this possible—Colleen Kollar Smith (Choreography), Michelle Caron (Lighting Design), Sean Fanning (Set Designer), and Jennifer Brawn Gittings (Costumes) among them.

So…is it worth the time and money? Absolutely. Mae’s is one of the most laugh-tastic shows I’ve seen in a good while and both those well versed in the life of the icon and those new to her sexy brand of wit will appreciate and enjoy this impressive theatrical feat.

“Dirty Blonde”

Cygnet Theatre

5/17-6/17

4040 Twiggs St.
San Diego, CA 92110

(619) 337-1525

www.cygnettheatre.com

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