LaCageFans: KIKI & HERB: ALIVE ON BROADWAY Review

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 11:48am

KIKI & HERB: ALIVE ON BROADWAY Review

Move over Martin Short! Billy Crystal who? Take that dancers life elsewhere Chita! There is a new dame in town and her name is Kiki DuRane! Justin Bond (Kiki) and Kenny Mellman (Herb) have brought their larger than life characters to the Helen Hayes Theatre on Broadway in a special theatrical event entitled, “Kiki & Herb: Alive on Broadway.” And just in the nick of time too! Broadway one person shows were starting to become passé propaganda. Not that case with Kiki & Herb! This show will take audience goers on the ride of their lives. From their century old pet cow (who drank the birth juice of baby Jesus), to their alcoholic rants on gays, politics, and Jews (Kiki proclaims that America doesn’t know what terrorism is until one sees her on a plane without her liquid Sports Drink); Kiki & Herb will have most folk rolling in the aisles. Not only are they Alive on Broadway, but they have turned their cabaret act into a heralded Broadway Sensation!

Justin Bond has become an idol around the Big Apples downtown district for years now as female impresario Kiki DuRane. And Kenny Mellman as Kiki’s retarded, gay sidekick Herb is unlike any other. Together they are giving Broadway the dose of infectious energy that it has long been needing. Reminiscent of the younger days of Harvey Fierstein, and an era when Broadway was truly creative – Kiki & Herb are giving audience goers pure, ingenious originality and inspiration.

Is “Alive on Broadway” the deepest and most thought provoking theatrical event? Probably not! But one thing is for certain, you will be thinking of these musings for days on end. Who could ever forget Kiki’s quotable: “If you weren't molested as a child, you must have been an ugly kid!”

The humor is obviously sardonic and biting. And since most of the homosexual theatre going population thrives on these types of sarcastic tangents – Kiki & Herb on Broadway is a perfect fit. And speaking of perfect fits, Marc Happel has created two very uniquely different and splendid gowns for the lovely Miss K! While Scott Pask has created a simple yet extremely telling set.

And there is no telling what may happen on any given night. Send-ups? Mishaps? Kiki & Herb welcome them all. And if the audience is welcoming enough, lord only knows how many encores will take place. But if the commotion is loud enough, a drunken musical showtune from that Broadway smash “Dance of the Vampires” known as “Total Eclipse of the Heart” just may be in store.

So if cunning quips are not of fancy – this duo may not supply everyone’s funny bone with the medication of laughter. Chekhov and Shakespeare may have had their day in the spotlight, but now it’s time for Kiki & Herb to spread their joy – and are they ever. Jay Johnson may just have to postpone that little show of his one more time, because this duo should be a Broadway staple!

Updated On: 8/13/06 at 11:48 AM

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 1:18am

Sorry, I'm dense- is this a self written review or should there be a link?

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 10:40am

It is a self written review. I try to post most of my Bway & Off-Bway reviews here after seeing a press performance. I also have a link to most of my recent reviews as well.

https://nycriticscorner.broadwayworld.com

I HAVE to give a shameless shout out for KIKI & HERB one more time though. It is some really really funny stuff. Normally I dont jump on a bandwagon of entertainment of this nature. But the material here is so strong and so well executed. Unlike my disapointment in Martin Short's ho-hum, and only at times enetertaining material.

[DDdirector]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 10:49am

I guess it's a matter of opinion. I saw both Martin Short and Kiki&Herb on Sunday and prefer Martin Short's show. A lot of Broadway humor whereas Kiki & Herb is more fringe stuff (which is fine) but I think it belongs in an Off-Broadway house rather than the very uncomfortable Helen Hayes. Anyone who isn't Twiggy would be in comfortable in those seats.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 10:59am

I understand what youre saying...because normally I LOVE the Bway humor and adore Martin Short. But something about that show felt off to me the whole night through. Kiki & Herb, while not your typical Broadway fare - completely gave Bway something unique and fresh and for summer entertainment, it was delightful for me.

[DDdirector]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 1:51pm

I found K&H fun, but would rather see it in a venue such as where "Hedwig" played or something similar and LESS expensive. I didn't pay full price, but I'm sure some people did.