The Performers
The Performers
By David West Read
Directed by Wade Hair
Starring Chaz Krivan, BeeJay Clinton and Marisa Quijano
Breakthrough Theatre, Winter Park FL</strong>
Porn can be quite boring, but porn names are always fun. Tonight we meet “Mandrew” (Krivan); he’s a scrawny Alley Oop type with a schlong that gets better mileage than a Prius. His old Buddy Lee (Clinton) dropped by for an interview; he’s more straight arrow and happily engaged to peppy and curvy Sara (Quijano). Mandrew is also “engaged”, his main squeeze is Peeps (aka Pussy Boots) whose specializes in “Barley Legal” porn. She debates implants, but realizes it’s a critical decision as she’s not quite ready to join the Granny porn circuit. There’s plenty of euphemisms and air quotes in this show, it’s bitterly funny as it takes us through the tortuous logic of marriage and fidelity in a business where three ways and gang bangs are billable hours and not just the fetid yearnings of a frustrated fantasy life.
While the lines a raunchy the acting is excellent, the comedy is far funnier than you would expect in “Planet of the Tits” or “Hanna Does Her Three Sisters.” Krivan is likeable if over the top, he knows his career is limited as are his job skills, and it’s not like there’s a retirement home dedicated to his trade. Peeps is equally funny, she’s gangly and sexy in her tall boots and streetwise attitude. Mandrew’s nemesis is Chuck Rawood (Bob Brandenburg), he’s the elder statesman of the porn industry and while he’s full of himself he’s also philosophical and ready with advice to all the youngsters in the business. He’s also the classic old guy, bragging about how things were better when he was their age. You have to forgive him, his junk worked better before he burned out his clutch. Tonight’s tension comes from the Sara and Lee relation; they were headed for a Barry Manilow concert until Lee is persuaded to stick with Mandrew as his career implodes. Sara is suitable annoyed, and she falls back to a classic female defensive position: I’ll engage your fantasy, and make sure you are so miserable that you’ll never ask again. I’ll just say this to the ladies: It works. Perfectly.
Appearing on stage is the large red Jell-O appliance that has yet to get a proper credit or billing in the program. The director told me after the show it was picking up hairs and smelled funny, but it’s still the best sight gag in town. I vote it get its own Facebook page.
For more information, please visit http://www.breakthroughtheatre.com or look them up on Facebook.
