Earth Sucks,
a Cosmic Rock Musical
Award winning playwright Jonas Oppenheim's rock musical about a girl who wishes for and succeeds in finding an alien rock star boyfriend attempts a cult smash -- instead leaving us prisoners of politeness within 30 minutes, unable to rush out of the theatre before wasting any more time.
In the first half hour, those of us who aren't familiar with anyone associated with this production wonder why an assortment of patrons are laughing -- that is, until Nakia Syvonne enters. Syvonne, like a lodestar, leads us into the plot from which we had preemptively surrendered ourselves. Reminding us of a young Eartha Kitt, her movement, voice, and electric charisma leap the audience into a more professional atmosphere, craving like addicts her return the moment she exits the stage.
Most of the cast fails to succeed, including the lead female (who stands, hands to her side -- palms facing out -- expressing emotion like a high school student who has never achieved the leading role) and her character's best friends, Jen and Jenn, who constantly slap their legs with flying hands during emotional acting.
On the male side of the cast, Lucas Revolution is an entertaining enough character actor (as Fluhbluhbluh), potentially holding back the comic zing for which he obviously has an understanding. Genuine praise for Scott Palmanson, beaming each of his characters to the highest level of comedy possible. Chris Capps (Lighting Design) is the most exciting aspect of this production along with (Sound Designer) Tim Boyce. However, vocal director, Normandie Wilson, fails to teach the actors how to sing these lyrically-repressed songs.
Jonas Oppenheim has clearly taken on too many roles behind the scenes. With close to ten performances in, did anyone suggest that the black folding chairs alone turn Mel Horan's clever set design into a reminiscence of a youth actors' camp?
Bedazzling intergalactic costumes by Arianna Pistilli also deserve special mention as well as the music (minus the lyrics), played by Rawn Erickson II, John Hanson, Duncan Mackay, and PJ Wyderka.
Cast includes Emily Stern, Lucas Revolution, Nakia Syvonne, Christopher Fairbanks, Alicyn Packard, Jennifer Fenton, Rawn Erickson II, Scott Palmason, John Hanson, PJ Wyderka, and Duncan Mackay.
On a grading scale: D
"The suckage takes place" at the Art/Works Theatre in Hollywood.