BWW Reviews: VESTAL VIRGINS at Theater Schmeater

Theater Schmeater is currently presenting a departure from the typical holiday fare with the World Premiere of local playwright Marcy Rodenborn's tale of middle aged punkstresses making a comeback, "Vestal Virgins".  The show, while not groundbreaking, is a fresh, funny and wicked twist on a typical plot device as only Schmeater and Rodenborn can deliver.

All girl punk band, Vestal Virgins, had their one big hit back in the 80's but never quite made it beyond that to super stardom but rather drifted into obscurity and legend.  So now when a young Disneyesque pop diva who espouses abstinence approaches the now middle aged Vestals to cover their one big hit for herself, the ladies see a chance at a comeback of their own.  But the music isn't the only thing being brokered here as secrets come out, identities are shifted and idols are knocked off their pedestals.  Rodenborn has put her singular spin on the story and turned in a laugh out loud funny romp that even manages a message beyond the hilarity in the indictment of these "chaste" queens of the tween pop world.  Add into that some wonderful Punk tunes (and a few vapid bubblegum pop ones) by Trish Shallest and by the band "My Favorite Girl" and Rodenborn delivers a wildly funny ride and an excellent departure from the ordinary holiday offerings.

But of course, a good show is nothing without a good cast and Schmeater and director Douglas Staley have brought out some heavy hitters for that.  Marty Mukhalian and Karen Jo Fairbrook are wonderful as the former punk goddesses Tsarina and Miss Clitty.  Mukhalian brings a sense of grounding to the duo while never losing her punk edge and Fairbrook is hilarious as the somewhat burnt out yet still sage drummer of the group.  Ben Burris brings his own special drug haze (or is he just not that bright) to Tsarina's boy toy Scar and Frances Hearn is right on target as Olivia, the former groupie of the band now trying to hold her life together.  Samie Detzer as the "innocent" diva Little Nannakin is so sickeningly sweet and yet maliciously evil at the same time that I really just wanted to step on her (and yes, that is a compliment to her performance).  But then that's the feeling I get with all of these Hannah Raven Bieber Jonas'.  Matthew Middleton turns in a first-rate performance as Little Nannakin's (I just love that name) caught in the middle manager Niko Norita.  And special kudos to Terri Weagant who once again manages to take a smaller part and turn it into a powerhouse as Chloe, the obsessed disciple of Nannakin's purity cult.  I have to say Weagant always manages to make the most interesting and varied choices for seemingly ordinary characters which always adds that little bit of nuanced brilliance to whatever she does. 

All in all another solid winner from a company that continues to put out some of the best that Seattle fringe theater has to offer.  So what are you waiting for, get out your ripped t-shirts and pierce that safety pin through your cheek and come down to witness the comeback of these punk goddesses.  You can watch that worn out copy of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" later.

"Vestal Virgins" performs at Theater Schmeater through December 18^th.  For tickets or information contact the Theater Schmeater box office at 206-324-5801 or visit them online at www.schmeater.org.

Photo Credit: Regan MacStravic

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