BWW Reviews: PFP Heats Things Up with BOYS IN BRIEFS

Consider Pride Films and Plays' BOYS IN BRIEFS to be the Windy City's answer to New York's The Skivvies. Part burlesque and part cabaret, the January show featured both tantalizing sights and sounds.

The theme of this month's show was "At the Beach!" (subsequent performances will feature different themes) and as one would imagine, all the songs performed were about fun in the sun.

Director David Zak has assembled a quartet of uber-talented actors for the show: Scott Gryder (THRILL ME) Donterrio Johnson (Jeff Award Winner for Theo Ubique's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR) Chris Logan (who was so terrific last season in THE BOY FROM OZ), and Luke Meierdiercks (THE BOOK OF MERMAN). Judging from their god-like physiques, one would assume that outside of auditions, vocal coaching sessions, rehearsals and performances the four lads spend every other waking minute at the gym.

The gang of four began the show bundled up in full winter attire (winter parkas, hats, gloves, scarves, etc.) and in the course of a hauntingly beautiful arrangement of "California Dreaming" the lads slowly stripped to their briefs (thus perhaps revealing where their minds were despite the chilly January temperatures). The harmonies were tight and a sense of both urgency and longing were conveyed (particularly by Logan).

Other group numbers where the boys blended their voices to perfection included "Heatwave," "Mr. Sandman" and a medley of Beach Boys tunes (shout out to Gryder for a falsetto range that would be envied even by the castrati).

On the duet front, stand-outs include Johnson and Logan sharing some chemistry, heat and harmony in "Summer Breeze" and Gryder and Meirdiercks sexy and fun "Wet."

The boys were each given solo moments to shine as well. Notable performances here were Gryder's Garland-worthy rendition of "When the Sun Comes Out" (in Judy-esque fedora and black sequined shorts, no less), Johnson's soulful take on "Under the Boardwalk", Logan's heart-breaking rendition of "The Boy from Ipanema" and Meierdiercks' smoldering take on "Summer in the City."

Nick Sula provided musical arrangements, played piano and kept things moving musically, but it was the boys's vocal talent that in the end really heated things up.

The biggest tease of the night came from Nancy Hays and Michelle Lauto. The pair performed "Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy" as a sample of what we can expect on Sunday and Monday when they will appear as Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli respectively in JUDY GARLAND AND LIZA MINNELLI: THE LONDON PALLADIUM CONCERT -A TRIBUTE (also at the Uptown Underground Cabaret, tickets $15-$25. 773.867.1946 or www.uptownunderground.net).

BOYS IN BRIEFS next performances are Feb 21, March 29 and April 26 at the Uptown Underground Cabaret, 4707 N. Broadway. $25 VIP and $20 tickets available at www.pridefilmsandplays.com or 1.800.737.0984 .

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