Mondo Drama Review

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 5/26/03 at 12:51am

I saw "Mondo Drama" this weekend (twice actually...and I still paid less than I would for one Broadway orchestra ticket), but whatever! lol

It was HISTERICAL!!!
I first saw this Douglas Carter Beane project back in the fall of 2002 as a reading at the Lucille Lortell theater. The writing was amazing, and so brilliantly executed by the 3 phenomenal women.

Now, the reading has materialized into an hour and a half of thought-provoking comedy/drama.

It begins with three women sitting in a movie theater in the 1960's, viewing some "Shockumentary" films.
They arise from their seats and propose to re-enact some of the more relevant Mondo pieces. In short amount of time, the audience is transported around the world picturing situations in the "Mondo" way.

Behind each act, whether it is 2 sea turtles on their way to extinction, 3 prostitutes just looking for a good recipe for dinner, or the Mona Lisa explaining the smile to a modern artist, there is a moral to every story!

Mondo Drama provokes every race, religion, and creed. NO ONE is safe from insult. Then again, one will find themselves laughing; not laughing at the insults towards others, but laughing at themselves. It is IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to see Mondo Drama and not find a piece of themselves in its words and actions.

Siobhan Mahoney (Seconda) is beautiful and funny all at once. She can make you laugh with just a sexy, mischievous look. For a petite redhead, she sure can play an African American drag queen and a vicious oriental girl.

Caroline Rhea (Terza) proves that she's not just a comedian, not just an actress, she is the WHOLE package. She makes you laugh and think; and appreciate REAL TALENT. Only an angelic-faced woman like Caroline can make Demon-worshiping seem amusing. Not only that, but for a 5"8 blonde, she's very convincing as a 3 ft. starving Mexican boy!

Miriam Shor (Prima) completes the cast. She is an ordinary woman with an extraordinary persona. Every move she makes is entertainment. Her Irish-Catholic cleaning woman makes Dana Carvey's "Church Lady" seem weak, and her portrayal of a rich, self-absorbed Upper East-sider is eerily accurate; and please let me note that she also has an amazing singing voice (for the moment that she sung in this show).

These 3 gems are not only astonishing with their own performances, but they work so well with each other, it's as if they've been performing together for years. Oddly enough, this is the first time (for all 3) that they have worked for the Drama Dept.

So, if you "Wonton the velly best" "Throw the monkey god a banana", and go to the Greenwich House Theater and see "Mondo Drama" until June 14th.

http://www.dramadept.org/what/index.html

That was my review, but if you want one from an official source, go to:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/79680.html

Updated On: 5/26/03 at 12:51 AM

[SweetCarolineFan]

Posted: 5/26/03 at 8:09pm

I saw Mondo Drama too at the grenwich house (Drama Dept) at it was awesome..Caroline Rhea is totally fantastic in it! I suggest everyone to go to see it!

[Dame Edna]

Posted: 5/26/03 at 8:38pm

It was cute.