A hilarious musical that keeps no eye dry and promises a memorable evening.
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The original music and lyrics by Veronica Vasquez and Jared Goode are creative and catchy, leaving you humming their songs and thinking of the comical lyrics, even the day after seeing the show.
The parody retells the story of Piper Chapman going to prison for smuggling drugs while dating her ex-girlfriend Alex Vause. The musical adds its own little jokes and anecdotes, as well as their own little twist. The audience follows their quest to find the Great Jenji (the original creator of Orange is the New Black). Many of the inmates have made it their mission as it is said she will fulfill three wishes when found. However, finding her consists of completing tasks, such as getting the tears of a crazy women and the blood of a Latina.
Going into a parody of a well-known drama series, you usually expect bad acting and corny jokes. However, many of the actors in the show are excellent, using gestures and expressions well to emphasize jokes and dialogues. Marisha Legan-Johnson in particular, playing Crazy Eyes/Suzanne, one of the most iconic characters of the show, was outstanding. Her command of the character was comparable to a performance on Broadway/West End. She knows her character well and portrays it with great precision, Uzo Aduba almost couldn’t have done it better. Even though she has crazy eyes’ characteristics to a tee, she still brings something to it that makes it her own interpretation.
Tastee, played by Tiffany Commons, is another exceptional performance and musical talent. The role reversal by Philip Rodriguez, playing Alex should not be missed. He portrays her with such elegance and comical attention to detail.
Director Vsev Krawczeniuk uses a basic set design, with pictures of different locations in Litchfield indicating the whereabouts of the people. Not only does this encourage people’s imagination, it also helps the show by putting the songs and absolutely hilarious performances into the spotlight.
As an Orange is the New Black lover, this is a must see show.
The show is running at the Whitefire Theatre, every Friday until August 19th. http://www.orangeisthenewmusical.com
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About the Reviewer - Sarah Louhichi
Twitter | Instagram: @sarah_louhichi
I’m a former exchange student in Los Angeles, now studying journalism at the University of Westminster in London. I’m a theatre lover and hopeful future theatre critic. I call the West End, London’s theatre wonderland, my second home. I’m always on a mission to get the best deals and cheapest tickets for my favourite shows. Sunny Afternoon, a show about the English band The Kinks is my guilty pleasure, I’ve seen it 24 times and counting.
**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood's NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram@NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.