Review: Starship Boobieprize and STAR CHIX Soars into Dunedin Community Theatre

If you're expecting dramatic works like Jekyll & Hyde, The Miracle Worker, or The Tempest (though there was some unexpected Shakespeare - 'cause why not), then you didn't read the title on the playbill. This was a 120-minute journey into the unknown... a galaxy far, far away on Starship Boobieprize.

I have never experienced "Panto," much less knew the word existed, but the definition was provided to the audience before the curtain opened, setting the scene. If you were geared up for an evening of camp and purposely over-the-top performances, you were in the right place.

With a name like Star Chix Trekkie Estrogen in Space, you knew you are in for a good, completely unserious time. From a star ship Captain Minnie Skirt (Mike Cote) who could give Dame Edna a run for her money, a lush doctor Ophelia Payne (Susan Dearden) who mirrored Star Trek's Bones, and a Scottish engineer Hava Scotch (Kelly McGuire) complete with gorgeous kilt designed by Sue Bryant, the cast thoroughly looked like they were having the time of their lives and this goofy comedy was infectious pouring into the appreciative audience, effectively causing them to stand up and dance and sing to familiar songs, some parodied, some as is.

Written and directed by David Middleton and produced by Mike Cote, Star Chix was filled with cheeky dialogue, puns, and innuendo punctuated by fun songs and group song and dance numbers like "Aquarius" "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "Eye of the Tiger," just to name a few. The actors ventured in the audience and the Captain broke the fourth wall and spoke directly to the patrons, requesting a response as soon as she took to stage. This was nothing I've experienced before.

Wordlessly, Shang-A-Lang expressed a need for help (Suzy Rose); Ensign Yoo Hoo (Amy Nancy) liked to holler and irritate the Captain; Evilix, the frightfully dismelodic (Eric Misener) had his own personal sound effect and Blues Brothers look-a-likes/(WO)Men in Black bumblers Live Long (Amanda Rose Nachman) Prosper (Heather Clark); Lt. Ivanna Mann (Tammy Folstad) was desperate for male attention - check out her magazine with Men of Space; Alien Red Shirt 3 (Autumn Nachman); was completely expressive, despite being cloaked behind green; Sidekick (Jeffery Dow) had some amazing moves; Red Shirt 1 (Graceanne Akhtar) had an awesome death (Not a spoiler.... she's in a red shirt); Frock (Suzy Fritz) mimicked Spock with precision, and IMA CPU (Rose Maiolino) was the voice I now want for my Alexa and Hey Google.

Take a little Star Trek, blend in some Monty Python and vintage Benny Hill, and maybe you come a quarter close the performance that took to the stage. When not being silly and making you laugh, Ensign Yoo Hoo (Amy Nance) and Red Shirt 2 (Katie McCann) had incredible singing voices, as did Buckaroo Rodgers (Nathan Attard) who reminded me of a real-life Woody from Toy Story.

Evilix's positive reaction to the moans, groans and boos when he entered the stage was priceless. As was the audience response to Captain Minnie Skirt (especially when attempting to sit in her captain's chair).

The costumes were impeccable and the set and props playful. I can't talk about this show without talking about the brilliant sound effects that evoked memories of Spock and Jim on the Starship Enterprise. Jim Russell is credited with sound design and operation and the sound effects became a character in and of itself.

Bringing two members of the audience to the stage for a performance was absolute brilliance. Vicky Nichols and David Sweat signed up prior to the show to become part of the show. That moment was priceless. The more the audience reacted, the more Vicky and David hammed it up.

The grand finale was my favorite and most interactive, with some members of the audience up and dancing in front of their seats.

Despite some opening night moments where the music overpowered the voices and the mics weren't working, stuff happens and I'm sure it was fixed.

If you are looking for some much-needed escapism and a chance to just enjoy silliness and parody that is completely interactive, step aboard this ship for a ride you won't soon forget.

Star Chix is at Dunedin Showcase Center through May 13.

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