KC Fringe "Rocky & Bullwinkle" review by JLin

Let's See the Toon Warp Again!

Rating: 4

The Rocky & Bullwinkle Horror Picture Show Parody

KC Fringe Festival

Egads! Productions' The Rocky and Bullwinkle Horror Picture Show Parody

It is no secret to my readers that I have a special place in my heart for Steven Eubank of Egads! Productions.  So, of course, The Rocky and Bullwinkle Horror Picture Show Parody was at the top of my Fringe list.  I managed to make it to the closing night and the theatre was packed.

This Eubank and Doss collaboration was nothing short of "astounding".  The fact that they found ways to connect a favorite cartoon to the iconic Rocky Horror Picture Show and made a complete 80 minute show out of it was most impressive.  I was also very glad to see Eubank on stage again as Dr. Bad-n-uffski (Boris/Dr. Frank-N-Furter) as I haven't seen him perform since last year's Fringe Festival in Khaaaaan! The Musical.

All of the actors were marvelous, each one nailing the cartoon voices spot on.  I was especially impressed with Aurelie Roque's Natasha, Doogin Brown's Bullwinkle, and Samn Wright's Dudley Do-right.  My favorite performance was given by Noah Whitmore as Whip-Lash (Snidely Whiplash/Riff-Raff).  His vocals on "Toon Warp" were wonderful and man, can he work a mustache!  While everyone was very talented, I found the weakest link to be Rachel Pallente as Missile "Missy" J. Veiss (Rocket "Rocky" J. Squireel/Janet Weiss).  She had a great voice, but she didn't capture the spirit of the parody as well as the others.  The costumes (courtesy of Casey McNamara and Regina Weller were clever) and the wigs (by Kelsey Kallenberger) added a really great touch.  Also, I absolutely LOVED the projections (by Weller) featuring the silhouettes of the cartoon characters

While I commend Eubank and Doss and their efforts to include every song from Rocky Horror Picture Show, I felt that the show ran long and that a few songs toward the end were disjointed and unnecessary (particularly "The Floor Wax Show" and "I'm Up the Creek").  I think the show would have benefited by their absence, but I understand the motivation behind putting them in the production in the first place.  I also struggled to hear some of the clever lyrics due to the poor audio balance.  The musical tracks, while fabulous, often drowned out the actors' voices.

I loved the show and laughed my butt off, but due to the sound issues, unnecessary songs, and slightly disappointing "Missy" I will have to give my very first 4 out of 5 to an Egads! Production.  I would recommend this show to anyone (mature audiences only though) but they, unfortunately, have no plans to extend their run.  However, Egads! will be reprising their incredible production of Evil Dead! The Musical this October, so mark your calendars.  That is one you won't want to miss.