Review: I Cannot Tell a Lie - PORNOCCHIO is a Hoot

Pornocchio

Book and Lyrics by Ryan Landry, Adapted from the original story by Carlo Collodi; Direction and Lighting by James P. Byrne, Costumes by Scott Martino, Sets by Amelia Gossett and Windsor Newton, Choreography by Merry Death, Sound by Roger Moore

CAST: Grace Carney (Pornocchio), Brooks Braselman (Jiminy Cricket), Scott Martino (Geppetto), Olive A Nother (Blue Fairy), Ryan Landry (The Fox), Robin Banks (The Cat), Liza Lott (Madame Minnelli), Joe Bissell (Limpwick), Tim Lawton (Mr. Tomaine), Gene Dante and Tad McKitterick (Mrs. Tomaine)

Performances through May 26 by Ryan Landry and the Gold Dust Orphans at Machine, 1254 Boylston Street, Boston, MA; Tickets may be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com

Ryan Landry and the Gold Dust Orphans have established themselves as the kings and queens of parody, usually with a decidedly raunchy style. Their productions are launched on a shoestring, yet their costumes are always first-rate, and their sets and props make up in cleverness what they lack in monetary value. The book and lyrics of a Landry adaptation show his amazing ability to twist someone else's idea into a story that both honors and skewers the source material, at the same time as it comes off as something totally original and very entertaining.

Pornocchio, the current offering by the Orphans in the basement of Machine Nightclub, does not depart from the above description; however, it is a keen example of the evolution of the troupe as performers of musical theater. In their last few productions, the singing and dancing have stepped up in class to be major highlights of the shows. Brassy belting by Liza Lott and Tim Lawton practically blows the low ceiling through the floor above. Joe Bissell sings and struts seductively like a rock star on one song, and has the voice of an angel on another. Olive A Nother croons like a sultry lounge singer, and the chorus boys and girls are powerful backup singers, as well as energetic purveyors of Merry Death's eclectic choreography.

In a gem of casting, Grace Carney rises to the occasion in the title role. Not only is she totally adorable and credible as a little boy in her short, short lederhosen, but she is an agile tap dancer and knows how to sell a song. She has wonderful chemistry with her "father" Geppetto (Scott Martino - also the costume designer) and her conscience, Jiminy Cricket (Brooks Braselman). Landry sends the character along a circuitous path from puppet to real boy, with many pitfalls and pratfalls on the journey, and Carney's catalogue of responses is spot on.

Landry as The Fox and Robin Banks as The Cat tempt Pornocchio away from going to school with the promise of making him an actor, but Madame Minnelli (Lott) and her Travelling Porno Show are not what he bargained for. After a series of unseemly adventures on the road, Jiminy and the Blue Fairy (A Nother) team up to rescue Pornocchio, but he lies to the Fairy, causing a part of his anatomy to grow. (I'll only tell you that it is NOT his nose.) However, as soon as he escapes one danger, he must avoid the bloodthirsty Mr. & Mrs. Tomaine, the proprietors of Jackass Burgers who like to chop up little boys, and go off in search of Geppetto, who has been swallowed by Monstro the whale.

Director James P. Byrne deserves credit for keeping the madness in check while letting the hilarity run free. Byrne also handles the lighting and makes ample use of spotlights to focus attention on individual performers, a blue "bubble" to announce the arrival of the Fairy, and wild flashing colors in several of the dance numbers. Sound Designer Roger Moore strategically utilizes handheld microphones to be sure we get all of the lyrics loud and clear. Set design by Amelia Gossett and Windsor Newton includes Geppetto's shop, the Tomaine's butchery, and the belly of the whale. Starting with the gown and wings for the Blue Fairy, Scott Martino continues to amaze with his costume designs. He has a great eye for color as evidenced by Madame Minnelli's bohemian outfit, the suits of clothes worn by the Fox and the Cat, and the clowns on Porno Island.

It bears mentioning that this Gold Dust Orphans' parody is not for children, despite the fact that it is based on a children's story. We're not talking Walt Disney, here, Folks. However, for those of you who are old enough to attend Pornocchio, you'll have belly laughs like you had as a kid and feel the love in an intimate space where everyone on the stage is there to give you a great ride. No strings attached.

Photo credit: Michael von Redlich (Brooks Braselman, Grace Carney, Olive A Nother)

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