Broadway In Chicago and Starvox Entertainment are pleased to present DISENCHANTED!
Former history teacher Dennis T. Giacino (book, music, lyrics) mused about what the real 10-year old Pocahontas might think of her busty, mini-skirt wearing 20-year old cartoon depiction. His historic reflection led to an exploration of all Disney princesses. What did these ‘Real Castlewives of Disney’ think about their happily-ever-after lives? Giacino’s DISENCHANTED! rips Disney a new one as the Princesses sing about their disappointments.
This show is more like a revue than a musical. There isn’t a plot. It’s musical numbers strung together with light-hearted banter. Each princess gets a solo to lament about her personal frustration with a chipped cup, no guy or two legs. Ann Paula Bautista (Hua Mulan) is particularly hysterical in Without the Guy. The spunky Bautista comes to a thought-provoking conclusion about herself based on the lack of a prince in her storyline.
The statuesque Merritt Crews (Snow White) acts as the official host to this royal variety show. Her sidekicks are a ditzy Madison Hayes-Crook (Cinderella) and the rogue-twerking Daniella Richards (Sleeping Beauty). The trio’s frothy interactions are cute with a side of cheekiness. It’s nothing substantial. The real focus is the songs and these ladies give us a royal treat in their singing.
Miriam Drysdale (The Little Mermaid) and Uche Ama (The Princess Who Kissed the Frog) join Bautista, Crews, Hayes-Crook and Richards. Besides their solo bits, the princesses get together for harmonious lamenting in All I want to do is eat and Big Tits. The sisterhood bond together against the male-dominated Disney machine. In a unified voice, they sing about women being portrayed as victims requiring rescue. They end with an empowering modern-day princess’ anthem, Once upon a time.
This show isn’t about a story. It’s about the characters within the familiar stories of childhood. The cabaret style has an ‘American Idol: The Princesses’ vibe. The amusing romp is playful. Although the content has sexual innuendos and an occasional F-bomb, I didn’t think it was that raunchy. I kept imagining my ten year old niece absolutely loving it as a naughty-but-nice-princess-showcase.
Running Time: Ninety minutes with no intermission
At Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut
Book, music and lyrics by Dennis T. Giacino
Directed by Christopher Bond
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM
Wednesdays at 2 PM and 7:30 PM (no matinee on June 1)
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 7:30 PM
Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM
Sundays at 2 PM and 6:00 PM (no evening performance on May 22 and May 29)
Thru June 5th
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.thehousetheatre.com
or call 773.769.3832.
For more information and reviews on Chicago theatre, visit Theater in Chicago.