'Bitchslap!' Celebrating Bette Davis And Joan Crawford At The Waterfront

(Photo By Barry Fitzgerald)

Waterfront Playhouse presents "BitchSlap!"starring Christopher Peterson as Bette Davis, RAndy Roberts as Joan Crawford and Vanessa McCaffrey as Hedda Hopper. Written and directed by  Darrin Hagen, "BitchSlap!" played to completely sold out houses during the 2009 WFPH run. Now back by popular demand, it runs for two weeks only, March 30 to April 10 at 8 pm. "Solares Hill" said of the 2009 production, "The three larger-than-life stars charmingly captured the legendary divas." The show is sponsored by KEY TV, with their 70^th season sponsored by El Meson de Pepe's, Comcast and Digital Island Media.

 "BitchSlap!"is the tale of two of our greatest film legends: Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. Their show-biz feud over roles, billing, Oscars and men was legendary. So what would happen when the two screen queens agree to appear together in "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?" Enter Hedda Hopper to record (and manipulate) the diva smackdown. "BitchSlap!" and its three stars capture the behind-the-scenes theatrics during the filming of the movie. Conch Color said of the 2009 production, "Tour de force performances...a fabulous evening of theater."

Director/playwright Darrin Hagen is an award-winning writer, composer, actor, television host, as well as Canada's most notorious drag performer. He has written many plays, including "The Edmonton Queen: Not A Riverboat Story," "Tranny Get Your Gun" and BitchSlap!, which was THE hit of 2005's Edmonton and Winnipeg Fringe Festivals.

Christopher Peterson is a renowned female impersonator, who has performed all over North America. His legendary stage show, "Eyecons," features a vast range of impersonations (using his own voice).  He is the recipient of a Dora Award (Canada's Tony) and has appeared in many theatrical productions in Canada and the US. Locally he has appeared in the Founder's production of "Howard Crabtree's Whoop-Dee-Doo!" at the Waterfront and with the Key West Pops. He was in the award-winning documentary "We're Funny That Way," as well as being featured as Lucille Ball in the film "Rat Race" with Cuba Gooding, Jr.

RAndy Roberts has also performed all over, including appearances in Britain and Spain. His legendary stage show, "RAndy Roberts LIVE," is an all live, multi-media tribute to some of the world's most loved performers. Using his own voice, Randy closes each show with a mini-lounge act where he sings some of the great standards. He has performed in clubs and cabarets, as well as with large orchestras, including the Key West Pops and the Key West Symphony. He has headlined two recent sold-out concerts at TWT. He was one of the stars of "Howard Crabtree's When Pigs Fly" at the Red Barn, as well as "Penny Lane" at the Waterfront.

Vanessa McCaffrey is a playwright/director/actress who has appeared on all of the stages of Key West. At the Waterfront, she has appeared in "Equus" and "The Sum of Us," directed Mark Watson's smash hit "the Times" and co-wrote "Easy Come" for 2003 the Key West Theatre Festival.  She has appeared at the Barn in "Dancing At Lughnasa," "Bed Among The Lentils" and "The Lover," as well as being a director for their short play series. At TWT she was in "Don't Dress For Dinner." She also owns and manages Vacation Key West, Inc.

Stage Manager/Diva Wrangler, Kat Klingerman, will be in charge of re-staging the 2009 production, with sets by Michael Boyer, gowns by Christopher Peterson and lighting by David Bird.

Tickets for "BitchSlap!" may be purchased by calling 305-294-5015 or through their online ticketing at www.waterfrontplayhouse.org. Don't forget to ask about their Friday Night Date Special. Date Night tickets may also be purchased online. 

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