NEW YORK—Nora Desmond lives!—or at least she's brilliantly channeled by Charles Busch in his delicious comedy-thriller (with the accent on comedy) Die Mommie Die! Combining elements of high camp, soap opera, and film-noir, the result is a delightful mixture of fun, where nothing is what it seems.
Angela Arden (Busch) was a huge recording star in the early 1950s but it all fell apart beginning with the apparent suicide of her beloved sister Barbara in 1954. Now in 1967 Hollywood (where the story takes place), Angela is little more than an aging diva of yesteryear, one of those sad faces who work the Hollywood party circuit, dreaming about days gone by and a future that will never come.
If that weren't enough of a cross to bear, Angela is also trapped in a loveless marriage to film producer Sol Sussman (Bob Ari), a violent and vengeful man-who lately has gotten in bed with the mob. For solace, Angela has taken up with young actor/tennis bum Tony Parker (Chris Hoch), who may have his own secret agenda, as does Bootsie Carp (Kristine Nelson) the family live-in domestic with a drinking problem. There are also Angela and Sol's kids (Ashley Morris, Van Hansis), each with their own hang-ups and who can't stand each other.
With a dysfunctional group like this, it's only a matter of time before blackmail and murder enter the picture, and they do-in overblown scenery-chewing style with one twist and turn after another. (As well as appropriate lighting and sound effects.) Just when the audience thinks they have figured out the plot, along comes another curve to send them (and the characters' alliances) in a whole new direction.
Busch has written a delightful story, sending up Hollywood of old and turning several genres on their head in the process. (The play in fact feels somewhat like a 1950s television play or soap opera.) The cast is excellent, delivering over-the top lines and overacting with perfect abandon while taking the audience along for the ride. Busch works perfectly as the aging Angela, Ari is nicely bombastic as her husband and Hoch is great as the seemingly sleazy Parker who, like everyone else, seems to be having great fun with the role. Nielsen, Morris and Hansis are all wonderful in their respective parts, and each member of the company gets more than one chance to shine (and steal scenes).
Direction by Carl Andress is strong, the set by Michael Anania is perfect for the story; Jessica Jahn's costumes (Michael Bottari and Ronald Case designed Charles Busch's costumes,) Ben Stanton's lights and Lewis Flinn's original sound design all work well.
Die Mommie Die!
New World Stages
340 West 50th Street
Tickets: 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Closes: Sunday, February 17, 2008
Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes
Judd Hollander is the New York correspondent for the London publication The Stage.
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