June 16, 2013

DIVINE: FULL OF HUMOR...A BLAST! BIRDS OF A FEATHER - ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE


The Wonderful Divine's - Courtesy Photo 





THE DIVINE SISTER 
AND BIRDS OF A FEATHER 


"The Divine Sister is an over the top outrageous comedy that keeps your belly laughing. The cast is simply "Divine"! The story is about St. Veronico's indomitable Mother Superior who is determined to build a new school for a convent. She deals with a young postulant who is experiencing visions. Most of them involves sexual hysteria among her nuns. Most of the Nuns are in Drag. I least I think they were all in Drag. 

A mysterious nun visiting from Berlin is up to no good. There's something strange going on under that dark flowing outfit. This is the most outrageous musical comedy that I have ever seen. And I want to see it again. 

 Charles Busch brings us this sprawling adventure. It sure it awe-inducing.It's the perfect warm-up to summer. And if it is too cold you can always hide under one of the Nun's outfits. Oh, talk about lavish costumes as they entertain us with spirited musical numbers. It's a blast of joy -- I Love it!  It's a minted American Classic. 

The show is so Riotously funny. It's one of NCTC's happiest surprises. It's a must see Blast! 

THE EXTRAORDINARY CAST ARE NOTHING LESS THAN SUBLIME. HERE THEY ARE: David Bicha (Agnes), J. Conrad Frank (Sister Walburga/Mrs. MacDuffie), Michaela Greeley (Mrs. Levinson/Timothy), Marie O'Donnell (Sister Acacius), Matt Weimer (Brother Venerius/Jeremy) and Joe Wicht (Mother Superior). This is a Dream Cast! 

Charles Busch (Playwright), F. Allen Sawyer is the superb Director. Set Design is a dream by Kkuo-Hao Lo. The lighting design is perfect, and Stephen Abts gave us perfect sound. The producers are David Madsen and Richard Norris. And I want to thank the Nuns for giving us an intermission. I'm still laughing. 

AT THE NEW CONSERVATORY THEATER - VAN NESS AND MARKET 

RATING: Four Glasses of Champagne!!!!(highest rating)-trademarked

The two Penquins: Luke Taylor and David Levine.
Plus - Elissa Beth Stebbins and Christipher Morrell
Courtesy Photo 


BIRDS OF A FEATHER -- DEEPLY MOVING - LIFE AFFIRMING

A real pair of male Penquins nest together. They are in love. But, this pair of birds are both males. However they nest together -- and just like humans they sometimes get along, and on other moments they argue a lot. One of the males wants to hatch an egg that he finds. The other penquin is not so keen about that. Hey, there are Gay Birds, just like humans. 

On a higher ledge there are a pair of red-tailed hawks (Pale Male and Lola). They build a luxurious next in a luxury high rise. You can imagine what a great view that had overlooking all of New York. Pale Male and Lola were the sensation. Everyone brought spy classes so that they could follow Pale Male and Lola. 

The story is helped with projections that show a video of the red-tailed hawks. Penquin Silo admired them so much - he seemed to be a little jealous. Silo and Roy break up - so to speak. Their love affair comes to an end. Sad. The story is as cute as a hatched egg. 

The play is 90 minutes long with an intermission. 

RATING: Three Glasses of Champagne!!! 

Now playing at the New Conservatory Theatre 
Van Ness @ Market 


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







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