Review: THE HITCHCOCK HOTEL at The Can Can

Dear Readers, it struck me last night, while watching The Can Can’s current production of “The Hitchcock Hotel” of the intersection of horror, humor and sex.  Any horror movie fan knows that a good laugh is the perfect way to release that tension after a good scare.  And sex certainly plays a part in horror, not only that any good horror movie killer is going after the teens fooling around, but also consider those fun, spooky, and sexy icons such as Lily Munster, Morticia Addams, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, or anyone in The Rocky Horror Show.  So, the Can Can’s horror burlesque fits right in there, dancing that line of spooky, fun, and sexy.  And while I don’t think anyone will be terrified at their fright fest, they’ll certainly laugh while being titillated. 

The story is mostly the same as last year.  Jon Kingsley (Jonathan Betchtel) has a new job at the infamous Hitchcock Hotel.  But when he arrives, he finds his co-workers take a spooky and sexy view of their jobs.  There’s the sexy proprietress Madame Maybell (Tori Gresham) and her randy assistant Frankly Mydear (Nik Hagen).  And then there are the ever-present Shadow and Silhouette (Shadou Mintrone and Sasha Voyt) as well as new character Fulgor (Rey Rodriguez) who are always on hand to make sure the guests have a GOOD time. But will this creepy and sexy world be too much for wholesome Jon Kingsley?

Once again, director and creator Chris Pink along with choreographer Fae Pink have brought us oodles of fun.  But I was dubious seeing it again as I just saw it last year.  But with a changed up cast and new character, the show manages a freshness showing off what a great company this is.  This ensemble and company are so tight (and I don’t mean their muscle tone, but that too) that they can roll with anything and make it all look new, and of course sexy and fun.

Gresham puts a bit more of the comedy into Maybell while still killing with the vocals, especially during her powerful “You Don’t Own Me”.  And Hagen brings an impish quality to Frankly, which only makes it all the more wonderful when he lets loose, especially in those leather shorts. 

Betchtel is his usual brilliant self as Kingsley and the emcee for the evening, keeping the laughs going while using the audience as his little playthings.  And he may be a 39-year-old stripper, as he says, but you’d never know it by looking at that butt. 

And then there are the incredible dancers.  I mean, everyone dances in the show but Mintrone, Voyt, and Rodriguez take on the lion’s share and they slink, slither, bump and grind like nobody’s business.  Mintrone and Voyt bring a kind of otherworldly creep factor.  Like a cross between the twins in the Shining and Wednesday Addams … but with fewer clothes … and pasties.  And the mysterious Fulgor maybe a kind of Igor or Riff Raff assistant but with Rodriguez in the role (who’s new to me but not to the Can Can) I just can’t seem to find the creep factor.  Not with an Adonis body like that.  But I’(M) Willing to keep looking. 

Once again, a killer show that you’d have to be dead to not have fun at.  But at the Hitchcock Hotel, you’d probably still have fun if you were dead.  And so, with my three-letter rating system, I give “The Hitchcock Hotel” at the Can Can a creepy and kooky, but not at all ooky YAY.  A perfect outing for a group of co-workers from a cancer research center, a family get together (of adults … including their mom), a birthday or anniversary, a date, or even just friends hanging out.  Yes, all those groups were represented last night.

“The Hitchcock Hotel” performs at The Can Can through November 12th.  For tickets or information visit them online at www.thecancan.com.

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