'STOPS' - IF LOVE WERE ALL

Johnathan Reisfeld, David Bicha, Cameron Cummings. Photo: Lois Tema 

STOPS AT NCTC

“Stop in the name of Love!”

Noel Coward wrote: Hey ho, the most I’ve had is just a talent to amuse. Hey ho, if love were all.” And that is exactly what you get in the in this off and on musical comedy. The show is just like a 70’s drag show that was popular in every Gay Bar in the City.  In those days, the drag show was ‘huge’…everyone loved them. Now in a different time and space – this musical is more of an odd ball than it is a new discovery.

The music is derivative of popular songs. The lyrics at times are quite amusing. I liked “A Bossa Nova for Jehovah” and the raunchy, not very subtle -- “Tulips on your Organ.” Also fun is “Face Lift for Ecclesiastic Surgery.”

David Bicha in the role of a Baptist – is more or less the main anchor of the show. Sometimes the camp works and other times it seems to be lame.

“Stops” seems to be making a lot of Stops that are unnecessary. The show is very strange. It goes from being a true drag show to a bunch of bible thumping strumpets. The set is really interesting. But then as they say…you can’t whistle the set.

Music and lyrics by Eric Lane Barnes, Book by Eric Lane Barnes and Drew Emery. Directed by F. Allen Sawyer. Musical Direction by G. Scott Lacy. Choreography by Stephanie Temple. With this Talent – I expected more.

AT THE NEW CONSERVATORY

RATING: TWO GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!! – trademarked-