Reviewed by Jeanette Hamel
Are you ready for a little R Rated song and dance? Is your middle aged book club ready for a wine-filled evening out? Are you one of the hundred MILLION people worldwide who have purchased the run away hit, “Fifty Shades of Grey” by El James? If so, then 50 Shades!, The Musical Parody is perfect for you!
Broadway in Chicago brings the national tour of 50 Shades! The Musical Parody to the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place Cadillac Theatre to an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. The hilarious and farcical representation of many women’s favorite book of naughty pleasures is presented by a cast filled with delightful characters. Making the transition to a “musical parody” even more effortless were the toe tapping, easy-to-sing-along-with musical numbers sung by a fun and talented cast.
If you have read 50 Shades, you will definitely appreciate more of the “parody” than a non-reader will…but that does not mean the non-reader will not find the show very entertaining. The short, 100 minute musical opens with an easy to love book club sharing their review of the original 50 Shades. Laughter from the audience ensues immediately and does not diminish until after the last encore. The book club “girls” (played by Melanie Brook, Alexis Field and Emily McLoughlin) sing and dance their ways through an irreverent “review” of their book project. Book characters float in and out of their club meeting. Anastasia Steel, played by Katie LaMark, is ditzier and more naïve to the nth degree than the book’s original character making her easy to mock. Christian Grey, played by Ben Caplan, makes his initial appearance to uproarious laughter as the audience struggles to match the smooth, suave and ultra sexy book character to the stage’s Kevin James look alike. Both Anastasia and Christian are lovable and laughable as they carry out some of the book’s most outrageous moments…with a twist. Jose’ (Diego Klock-Perez) rounds out the parody cast snapping photos with his disposable Kodak and his exaggerated Latino presence.
50 Shades! The Musical Parody is a lively, naughty and highly entertaining parody of the original 50 Shades. Enjoyable, funny and a bawdy break from reality, this is recommended for the 18 and over crowd. A truly titillating and tickling musical tale…
50 Shades! The Musical Parody
Written by: Al Samuels, Amanda B. Davis, Emily Dorezas, Jody Shelton, Ashley Ward
Music & Lyrics: Al Samuels, Amanda B. Davis, Dan Wessels, Jody Shelton, Ashley Ward
Directed by Al Samuels
For tickets call 800.775.2000 or visit BroadwayInChicago.com