Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Not Psycho Enough: 'Psycho Beach Party' at Morgan-Wixon Theatre
Charles Busch's 1960s beach movie parody play, Psycho Beach Party, is playing at Morgan-Wixon Theatre in Santa Monica. Busch's script follows central character Chicklet Forrester, a bubbly and impressionable Malibu surfer girl with a sadistic alter-ego named Ann Bowman who has world domination aspirations. The Morgan-Wixon production is funny and pleasantly enjoyable, but overall this production does not fully wield the dark underbelly of tacky kitsch that Psycho Beach Party demands.
You might be familiar with the cult-destined, drag-driven film version from 2000, but Psycho Beach Party was originally envisioned by Busch as a stage venture. The work opened Off-Broadway in 1987 with Busch himself leading the cast as Chicklet. At the time, Stephen Holden's New York Times review basically called the production a little slice of campy heaven.
The cast of this production of Psycho Beach Party is variously talented, with a few standouts. Emily Kottler gives a perfect, well-timed, and genial performance as Berdine, Chicklet's brainy, Sartre-loving best friend. Heidi Appe is hilarious as Chicklet's mother, Mrs. Forrest. Appe truly grasps the notion that Psycho Beach Party is supposed to be a blatantly tawdry and indulgent construct to great comedic effect. Cast lead Taylor D'Andrea is comfortably suited to the role of Chicklet, although she struggles to really differentiate the multiple personalities attached to her character.
Under the direction of William Wilday, Psycho Beach Party is entertaining, flows well and has an awesome surfing scene, but the show doesn't truly own up to the kitschy side of the play. The production needs to punch up the lewd-factor to the most absurd level possible to fully blossom into the crude and vulgar flower that Busch intended it to be. The production yearns for a drag lead, crashing wave sounds, real sand, and fewer teen-squeal noises. Psycho Beach Party has lots of fun beachy, 60s era staging elements, courtesy of Thomas A. Brown (set design) and Ruth Talley (costuming).
Support for LAist comes from
Psycho Beach Party is playing through May 20 at Morgan-Wixon Theatre in Santa Monica. Tickets are $10 to $18 and available online or via phone at 310-828-7519.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist