Cheryl Thornburg
Sun News
If you're looking for a comedy you can sink your teeth into,
call the Black Box Theatre now and reserve tickets for "Vampire
Lesbians of Sodom."
For those who remember and loved last summer's No Strings Theatre
production of "Psycho Beach Party," this play, also
written by Charles Busch, is a must-see show.
Outrageous, over-the-top characters, witty and wacky dialogue
and top-notch performances by some of the area's finest comedians
make for a laugh-filled evening.
"Vampire Lesbians of Sodom" follows two seductive vampires
through the centuries after their initial encounter in ancient
Sodom. The two, both actresses, compete on stage and off in Hollywood
and today's Las Vegas.
Claudia Billings and Tom Smith, both New Mexico State University
Theatre Arts faculty members, portray the dangerous duo with flair.
Smith is also co-director of the show.
Billings plays La Condesa, the original seductress in Sodom who
seeks virgin sacrifices from the town. Billings relishes this
role and brings the lusty lady to life.
Smith, has to be seen to be believed -- first, as the virgin in
Sodom, and then as Madeleine Astarte. He puts the "vamp"
into vampire, especially in the Roaring Twenties scenes. Be prepared
to laugh outloud -- often.
Smith plays these roles this weekend, but co-director Meghan Dickerson
will take on the roles for the final week performance June 7-8.
Dickerson is also choreographer for the show.
Many talented NMSU theater students and graduates round out the
cast.
Toby Minor, veteran of numerous productions demonstrates his considerable
comedic talent in various roles. He seems particularly at home
in the 1920s costumes and scenes, but evokes lots of laughs in
every era.
Recent NMSU graduate Darin Robert Cabot shows his versatility
as Oatsie, a Hollywood reporter and later, a vampire hunter.
Kevin Coyle also takes on a variety of roles and handles them
with ease. he's particularly funny as La Condesa's servant.
Morgan Aldrich who played Emma in American Southwest Theatre Company's
production of "Pterodactyls," plays her virginal roles
with a school-girl innocence.
Shane Cates makes a good impression for his first time on the
Black Box stage, and this probably won't be his last sighting
on the local theater scene.
The lighting design by Peter Herman offers some new special "hypnotic"
effects.
"Vampire Lesbians of Sodom" contains some adult humor
and language which is not suitable for young children. For the
rest of us however, Busch's off-beat script is a fun way to spend
an evening. Think Shakespeare spoofing an Anne Rice novel.
Performances continue at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown
Mall today and Saturday and June 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. with additional
late-night shows on June 1 and June 7 at 10 p.m. Ticket prices
are $7 adults, $6 seniors over 65 and students.
Reservations are recommended. Both performances last weekend were
sold out. For reservations call (505) 523-1223 or online www.zianet.com/nstcbbt
using the reservations form.
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