David Cerda — the reigning king of Chicago camp — likes to use the term “parodage” to describe his ongoing oeuvre of big, silly shows dedicated to live theatrical re-creations of such pop-culture icons as Hitchcock thrillers, horror flicks, 1970s disaster movies and (now playing) women-in-prison exploitation films. More parody and less homage, I say.
When you’re dealing with the likes of “The Big Doll House” and “Chained Heat” as your source (and poor Pam Grier as the celebrity of choice), too much demonstrable affection for the sadistic matrons, lustful wardens, cheesy soundtracks, simpering murderesses, nude showers and other inimitable stamps of this genre can start to seem a little strange.
But Cerda is first and foremost a loving fan of all things pulp fictional — which blunts his satire but increases his PG-13 shows’ good-natured spirit of fun. And “Caged Dames,” the messy but enjoyable latest production from Hell in a Handbag Productions offers plenty of spirited yuks for Cerda’s fans — many of whom see him as a Midwestern reincarnation of the great New York campmaster Charles Ludlam.
They have a point. Cerda, who often plays the lead in his own shows, is a lyricist/writer/composer/drag artist with a sparkle in his eye, a quick mind for writing and a stage presence worthy of Margaret Thatcher. At its best, Cerda’s “Dames” has inspired moments of ridiculousness, including some droll prisoners’ ensemble numbers, a lovely little ballad sung to a rat, a decent ingenue lead in Brigitte Ditmar (as poor Mary Anderson, regular girl lost in a den of vixens) and a potpourri of bizarre actors.
Cerda is a witty composer. Here, his musically complicated and funny number “From Good to Bad” (which, as its title suggests, lays out the heroine’s moral trajectory) is as clever and melodic as anything in “Urinetown.” If only that were true of the whole show.
Most of the Cerda musicals I’ve seen on opening night have been at least a week away from ready and “Dames” (under Scott Bradley’s direction) is no exception. Scenes clatter on and off. Lines get blown. Pacing comes and goes. Choreography comes and goes. When it comes to comedic precision, this ain’t no “Alter Boyz.” So I’d wait at least a couple of weeks until Big Lorraine Busch, Bigger Lorraine Delvecchio and the rest of Cerda’s twisted crew find their way behind bars.
“Caged Dames”
When: Through Nov. 19
Where: Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.
Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Tickets: $20 at 773-883-1090
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cjones5@tribune.com
