BWW Reviews: TUTS Underground Presents WAITING FOR JOHNNY DEPP

WAITING FOR JOHNNY DEPP is the story of an aspiring character actress who continually falls on hard times and can't seem to catch a break. Rita Donatella (played by Brooke Wilson) seems to be friendless, with the exception of her devoted and supportive older brother, whom we only know through Rita's dialogue. This is a funny one-woman show, chronicling the ups and (many) downs of a woman who is filled with passion and not a little eccentricity. Rita describes herself as being willing to do anything for her craft, including chopping her hair off, playing a guy, and loosing weight.

Is Rita Donatella crazy? A glutton for punishment? Or is she following her dreams, so matter the collateral damage to her mental health? Rita's drive and ambition to make it as an actress, no matter the cost, is the driving theme of the show.

Some things work well in the show. Janet Cole Valdez, DeeDee O'Malley, and Bettie Ross have penned many songs that are catchy, the kind of tunes you find yourself humming days after you see the show. Some songs are more successful than others. "Anything For My Craft" is hilarious and inventive. "Craiglist" is fresh and fun as Rita sings about the merits of selling items that "were touched by someone famous". "Singing Telegram" is deliciously ironic and sung masterfully by lead Brooke Wilson. On the other hand, "WTF" is only funny if you're a 9 year old and think swear words are funny for their own sake. The character's reaction to being told by her agent that she needs to lose 20 pounds elicits the endless "WTF" chant, which is odd; you would think that this happens to film actors all the time, so why is Rita surprised by the request? Especially since she's willing to "do anything" for her art. In "What Really Matters" Rita and her deceased brother sing a duet. For what it's worth, Wilson and Jack Beetle (voice of the brother) sound great together, but the message of the song is a little trite and the script feels emotionally manipulative at this moment in the show. It's also out of left field; throughout the show we never hear or see Rita's brother, and then all of a sudden he's singing. It seems strangely existential and out of place.

Bruce Lumpkin's direction is one of the strengths of the show, with many fun touches and poignant details in the staging and character development. Brooke Wilson gives a heartfelt, committed performance and is completely believable as a woman who is passionate and driven, yet soft and a little kooky, too. Her vocals are strong and multifaceted throughout the show and she seems to have an unlimited supply of energy, which she utilizes with childlike optimism. This is a one-woman show and Wilson adeptly manages the broad character arc and demands of the show with seeming ease. Wilson does an adorably awkward Marilyn Monroe impression, is very funny as a guy, complete with street swagger, and gives an hilarious performance delivering a singing telegram. The only objectionable part of Wilson's performance is Rita's laugh. The maniacal giggle is distracting and doesn't really mesh with the rest of the characterization. Rita is an eccentric, striving artist with a huge heart, and the laugh Wilson uses calls to mind the inane cackles of Krusty The Clown of The Simpson's.

As Rita's journey progresses, our spunky heroine begins to crumple under the stress of unemployment and dreams put on hold. The second act is a heartbreaker, with Rita having to sell the rest of her furniture on craigslist to make her rent. These are dark days and the scene in which she's talking to her brother on the phone about borrowing money is deeply emotional and honest, perhaps the most moving segment in the show.

Life continues to get tougher for our heroine, and the script gets a bit maudlin, with the character teetering on the brink of self-indulgence. Then, just when jumping off a roof is starting to sound like a good idea, something amazing happens, and you ask yourself why you ever doubted Rita or her dream.

TUTS Underground has earned a reputation for doing edgy, unique shows and WAITING FOR JOHNNY DEPP definitely fits that bill. The show is eclectic, modern, and unexpected.

For tickets: http://www.tutsunderground.com/johnnydepp

Photo Credit: Courtesy of TUTS Underground

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