ENZO LOMBARD IS 'WAY COOL' IN NEW SHOW

(To the right: Enzo Lombard on stage)

LEE HARTGRAVE REVIEWS
JUNE 8, 2009

LOVE HUMILIATION & KARAOKE

BRIGHT AND FASTMOVING ONE MAN SHOW

ENZO LOMBARD PLAYS ABOUT ELEVEN OR TWELVE VARIOUS CHARACTERS IN THIS SHOW AT STAGEWERX. The talented actor goes from Wendy, his psychic classmate to Shirley Bassey. Loved Enzo’s transvestite, karaoke-competitor neighbor. It was a hoot. There are many, many clever lines in the play and they bring many laughs. As psychic Cher -- “I’m getting my shit together tighter than a nuns ass!”

Also lots of fun for me was the songs from different timelines. There is Hollywood 1999 – and he sings” “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” From Amsterdam 1981-85, Enzo sings Shirley Bassey -- “I Want To Know What Love Is?”

It is really clever the way he weaves pertinent music into his story. Although extremely amusing, there are some rough spots. The show is a little rough around the edges. But before it gets to New York, I’m sure that they will get that tighter than a Nuns Ass. Let’s hope so.

There is another show in town that is similar in intent. It’s the new Terrance McNally show about Gay Life as it progressed from before the Gay Revolution to present. Enzo’s show is somewhat like that. We watch Enzo travel through his life and loves. However, the big difference is that the McNally show has a bevy of actors on the stage, where as Enzo does all the characters. You know what? Enzo’s show is better. It has sharper writing than the McNally show and the material is fresher.

RATING: THREE GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!! – trademarked-

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Datebook and produced a long running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))

Twitter Lee: twitter.com/famereporter

TAGS: Enzo Lombard, Stage, Plays, Stagewerz, Shirley Bassey, Cher, Psychic