For those of you who thought Thelma and Louise of the movie died when they went over a cliff at the Grand Canyon while police were in pursuit, think again.
Yup, they are alive and well as lesbians in their blue ‘66 T Bird in their afterlife. Think if you will, that what we expect, isn’t always what we get.
Good news/Bad news: I remember the movie: Good news. The only thing I remember about it is the ending: Bad news. The good news is that “TL; DL, Thelma and Louise: Dyke Remix” is full of surprises.
The two protagonists Sophia Araujo-Johnson and Sara Porkalob are talented as are the high energy and very loud band members. T is sweet and naive and L's bestie. L is protective of her best friend'. 'The Basass Band is a rock band made up of folks who are not cis men.'
 |
| Sophia Araujo-Johnson and Sara Porkalob |
The film is about girlfriends Thelma and Louise our co hero’s. In the play Thelma or T (Sophia Araujo-Johnson) and L …you get the point (Sara Porkalob) are on a journey to discover ‘Is there a right or wrong way to be gay?”
Several years in the making, this world premiere production with book and lyrics by Ella Rose Chary, music and lyrics by Brandon James Gwinn and directed by Sherri Eden Barber, “TL; Thelma and Louise: Dyke Remix” is a co -production with Moxie Theatre. Now executive director Jenny Chase and interim artistic director Stephen Brotebeck are completing what former artistic director Matt Morrow started before the pandemic.
 |
| Sophia Araujo-Johnson and Sara Porkalob |
Back to the story. TL are not alone in making decisions as to the right or wrong way to be queer. There are the band members to consider: Marie (Lyric Boothe), guitar, Henrietta (Faith Carrion), aux instruments, Blazer (MG Green) bass and Cubby (Steph Lehane.), drums. They all have their own ideas and have no trouble expressing them with song, dance and prance.
They sing and act out about 16 or 17 musical numbers. Unfortunately, the sound was too loud the night I attended. The autistics as well were not very good so that yours truly could barely understand a word. I did however get the gist of the first number: “Why Do Strong Female Characters Always Gotta Die?” Good question.
 |
| Sara Porkalab |
Along with their gay Encyclopedia “Lesbiannica” and some animation, a few characters dressed in furry overstuffed costumes, (a la lobster and unicorn) and quite a few F bombs, “TL; DR Thelma and Louise: Dyke Remix” plus the band, rolled merrily along finding their way to a happy ending with the understanding that to be Queer is whatever you want it to be.
Define it. Be it. Live it. Love it. Their quest to find the answers took about 90 minutes and then some.
Both Sophia Araujo-Johnson and Sarah Porkalob do great work as T&L. Both seasoned and looking great. Much of what they have to go through seems tricky but they were able to make the journey into the Dyke Remix feel real.
 |
| Lyric Boothe, MG Green, Faith Carrion, Steph LeHane, Sophia Araujo-Johnson |
And while I did not hear the words to most of the lyrics, “The World Is Our Oyster”, “Love Yourself”, “Let’s Keep Going”, as listed in the program, all seemed like a good beginning.
The creative team: Steven Leffue, Sound Design; Annelise Salazar, Co-Lighting Design; Colby Freel, Co-Lighting Design; Chanel Mahoney, Costume Design; Yi - Chien Lee, Scenic Design; Sierra, Projection Design, Leah Osterman, Projection Design; Jasmine Villalino, Stage Manager.
As in all new works TL; Thelma and Louise: Dyke Remix” will need some fine tuning by taking what they have now and elevating it to something bigger, with more depth added to the story.
Enjoy.
See you at the theatre,
Through June 9. 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights
Tickets: $26.50-$71.50
Phone: (619) 220-0097
Photo: Talon Reed Cooper
Online: diversionary.org
No comments:
Post a Comment