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WARNING: If good taste and clean language are something you hold near
and dear to your heart, do not, I repeat, do not see Invasion: The Musical
Never before has a musical comedy been so devoid of taste and full of
absolutely filthy language.
I enjoyed it a lot!
The year is 1952 (despite occasional anachronisms) and the place is Tucker
County, New Mexico, where residents dream of someday visiting a paradise
called Albuquerque. Johnny, a horny varsity stud, and Becky, a busty young
high school maiden, are out in Keller’s Field late one night. Stud has just
convinced maiden to give up her virginity by telling her “I love you” in a song
(pure lustful calculation on his part) when a green light suddenly appears in
the sky, stud falls to the ground writhing, and moments later rises, zombie-like,
babbling Taco Bell menu items, and lacking genetalia.
And that’s just the first scene. There’s lots more where that came from!
There are the two jive talking black girls, Boquicia and Shasta, looking
suspiciously white (well, they are played by white girls), who appear from time
to time like a Greek chorus. In a clever bit, one of their duties is to announce
scene changes with Aretha’s “Chain of Fools,” turning it into
“Change…change…change. Change of scene.”
There’s high school nerd Steve and Becky’s 10 year old brother Spencer, the
latter of whom wants to practice kissing (and just about everything else) with
the former--tonight. It could be their last night on earth, after all. (For those
fretting over the possibility of a police raid, the role of Spencer is played by an
over 18 girl.)
There’s also lustful Father Riley, lesbian TV reporter Gloria and her “butch dyke
with no future” girlfriend Janelle, a pair of gay national guardsmen, and Dan
Brown, author of The DeVinci Code. Plus...an Act 2 appearance by a 14-year-
old black virgin named Rachel, who's been brought up frequently in Act 1 by
numerous characters who are wont to say, “That’s about as likely as a 14 year
old black virgin.” Rachel explains her virginity in the tuneful ditty “Don’t Count
If It’s Daddy.” (Don’t worry. She’s played by an over 18 he.)
Other gasp-worthy songs include “Aborted Fetuses,” sung by a barber shop
ready male quartet (one of whom is the town rapist); “Toxic Shock Syndrome,”
which warns young girls that it’s not a good idea to wear the same tampon
five years in a row; and Second Act Sex Song, in which (to the delight of many
I'm sure) three of the guys sing, dance, and cavort only in their skivvies, and
along with most of the cast engage in…well, the song title says it all.
It’s raunchy, nasty, and a whole lot of fun!
The twisted mind responsible for this outrageous romp is that of book writer,
director, and costar Aaron Matijasic, who did such a great job recently as a
bridge-bombing skinhead in The Beastly Bombing. Matijasic warned me that
Invasion would be “even more offensive than The Beastly Bombing, so mentally
and morally prepare yourself.” Aaron, you were right!
Even musical theater purists and advocates of good taste would have to
admit that composer/musical director Billy Thompson’s tunes are melodious,
catchy, hummable. Thompson leads an excellent musical ensemble, hidden
behind the cornstalks center stage.
Kelly Proctor has provided some fun choreography executed by a very young
and very talented cast.
Standouts include the delicious Kate Feld (also of Beastly Bombing) as Becky,
cute and lanky Cory Bretsch as Steve, the sassy duo of Nicole Gemma and
Whitney Vigil as Shasta and Boquicia, dragalcious Donald Webber, Jr. as 14-
year-old virgin Rachel, big and burly Will Harris as Sheriff Brewster, Emily
Pennington channeling her inner 10-year-old boy as Spencer, cutie Al Rahn as
(among others) Johnny and Jesus, and Men's Fitness ready Ben Giroux as Old
Man Fletcher, Satan, and a national guardsman (yes he is versatile). The
charismatic Matijasic scores points as Dr. Wells, Johnny’s replacement in
Becky’s heart. The talented young cast also features very good work from
Jenn Brown, Scott Eric Burman, Danielle Faitelson, Matt Falber, Lindsey Grubbs,
Alexandra Holtzman, Vanessa Hurd, Jessica Kaplan, Ian Littlesworth, Carl
Petrillo, Jenny Weaver, and co-executive producer Gabriel Oliva as… (He’s
listed as special guest, so I won’t spoil the surprise.)
Well, as they say, "Forewarned if forearmed." If even reading this review has
shocked and disgusted you, then heed my advice and stay home. If, on the
other hand, it’s made you want to see and hear more, and more, and more,
then Invasion! The Musical is definitely for you, and (when not gasping “I can’t
believe they just said that!”) you’re sure to laugh your pants off.
Hudson Backstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, Through
September 23; Fridays & Saturdays: 8 p.m., Sundays: 7 p.m.; : $25; 323-960-7612
--Steven Stanley
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