Theater review: 'Octomom the Musical' at Fake Gallery
It was only a matter of time before the exploits of Nadya Suleman trickled down to that most lowly of entertainment forms, live theater. Now “Octomom the Musical” has appeared at the Fake Theatre with all the savage vitriol of a warm baby formula. Incredibly, this low-budget cabaret leaves you with the desolating sensation that this unholy mother of 14 is too stupefying even for satire.
Actor Chris Voltaire, who wrote the book and lyrics, directs, and appears as a Frankenstein-like fertility doctor, has a certain demented charm. But a subject this overexposed needs a point of view more surprising than TMZ’s.
Voltaire starts to frame a rivalry between Octomom (an enjoyably self-involved Molly McCook) and her nemesis/role model Angelina Jolie (Alexandra Holtzman), but their trash talk is disappointingly tame. Too bad. Despite the ensemble's efforts to please, the inclusion of a Bernie Madoff type (John Combs) who tells us what we already know just takes the evening even further afield.
A longer gestation period might help but right now, “Octomom” isn’t quite ready for delivery.
-- Charlotte Stoudt
“Octomom the Musical,” Fake Gallery, 4319 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. 8 and 10 p.m. Saturdays. Ends Aug. 15. $19.99-$29.99. (323) 856-1168. Running time: 65 minutes.
Photo: From left: Blake Hogue, Lynnette Li, Chris Voltaire, Molly McCook, John Combs, Dinora Walcott. Credit: David Kriegel
If you're looking for "savage vitriol," this might not be the play for you. But if you'd like to watch a show that had the opening-night audiences laughing hysterically and applauding throughout both the 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. performances, a show with zany humor and 14 original fun musical numbers throughout, then buy tickets now before they're gone, because the 8:00 p.m. this Saturday is already sold out and we've sold half the run, so you may want to savagely vitriolically hurry! Chris Voltaire, Director
Posted by: Chris | July 23, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Although a good effort by some talented people, their talent probably would be best served on their next venture.
I am sure this one has limited appeal just
like Ocotomom herself.
Posted by: vicki | July 24, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Just curious, what "Theatre" reviewer calls Live Theatre, the most lowly of entertainment forms.
Posted by: Stu | July 24, 2009 at 03:04 PM
"...that most lowly of entertainment forms, live theater."
Explain yourself Stoudt.
Posted by: Will Campbell | July 25, 2009 at 07:04 AM
Very curious what a theatre critic means when she writes"that most lowly of entertainment forms, live theater." Is she trying for irony? I do think a bit of explaining would be worthwhile.
Posted by: P. Mc | July 26, 2009 at 03:55 PM
ms. stoudt's trash talk is disappointingly lame.
Posted by: lowly | July 26, 2009 at 06:56 PM