BWW Reviews: SHINE: A BURLESQUE MUSICAL at Theatre Off Jackson

The Wet Spots in association with the Seattle Erotic Art Festival and Theatre Off Jackson are presenting their brand new musical, "Shine: A Burlesque Musical".  And while the show needs a little fine tuning, it's certainly a naughty-licious good time.

Following the denizens of the Aristocrat Theater (a home for Burlesque since the late 1800's), "Shine" puts it's spotlight on things such as "what is art vs. making a buck" and "can you sacrifice family for your goals" all wrapped up in a rousing, only partially clothed, old style musical.  And that's what they are at heart, an old style musical.  Even though they blast Broadway right from the start, they really are Broadway themselves.  Maybe not Broadway today with dancing and singing cartoon animals (although there is a singing porcupine in the show) but at its core it's quite reminiscent of the golden age style of musicals.  It's kind of "42^nd Street" with tits.

At the Aristocrat we have Shine Mione (Cass King one of the Wet Spots and co-writer of the show) who owns the theater that she inherited from her Grandfather.  She's a boozy, free spirit who cares more about her performers and the show than actually getting people to see the show let alone pay the mortgage.  So she has just a few weeks to pay the back mortgage or the bank will take the place.  Enter Richard Suit (Mark Waldstein) who wants to buy the theater and turn it into something big.  But Shine won't sell out so eventually she agrees to take Suit on as a producer so she can make the money she needs.  But when he begins to interfere with the vision of the show, can the theater and her dysfunctional family survive?  It's a pretty familiar old tale.  "We need money.  Hey kids let's put on a show!"  But Mickey and Judy never performed like this.  Add into the mix, Lulu Von Doozy (Adra Boo Green) the show's plus size bombshell star, and Grace (Gemma Isaac) who thought she was coming to interview Shine for her thesis, and Frankie (Scott W Abernethy) who just needs a job, two kids who get drawn into this world and end up stars in their own right.  Not to mention the sexiest ensemble this side of the Vegas Strip and the show has the potential to be a big smash hit when they leave here and make their way to the New York Fringe Festival.  But like I said, they need to tune some things up. 

Some of the dialogue seems a bit forced and some of the lyrics a bit repetitive and clichéd at times.  And the pace needs to be picked up.  Especially in a show like this pace is everything and there were times, especially in act one, where things just ground to a halt.  And while Act One needed the most help, Act Two picks right up and ends the show on a stellar note.

King is hilariously vivacious as the struggling Shine.  And her "Perversions" number had the audience begging for more.  Isaac and Abernethy are adorable as the two innocents who protest at first only to let their inner freak come out at the end.  Green is stunning as the voluptuous lead of the show within a show and her 11 o'clock number "Large and in Charge" practically stopped the show.  And for the fans of the Wet Spots, the other half of the duo, John Woods, is here as well in the guise of the theater's janitor who busts out with a quite touching song of his own.  And did I mention the sexy ensemble?  Yeah, I think I did, but they're worth mentioning again.

So all in all, the show needs a little work, but is a fabulous twist on the old formula musical.  And the cast writhes, bumps and grinds their way right into your heart.  But this is not a show for the faint of heart and definitely not for the kiddies.  This is a very adult show with very adult sensibilities.  So if you think you can handle it, get a sitter and take your main squeeze (or whatever squeeze you can find) and check out the hotties at the Aristocrat.  And who knows, you may want to run away from home and join them yourself.

"Shine: A Burlesque Musical" plays at Theatre Off Jackson through July 18^th.  For tickets or information visit them online at www.shinemusical.com.

Photo Credit: Frank JulIan Roberts, Helianthus Photography

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