SITUATION TRAGEDY

Variety
LEGIT REVIEW
Julio Martinez

TV exec Maxine Lapiduss (consulting producer on "Ellen") romps through an energetic musical revue that highlights the two driving forces of her existence: show business and being a gay woman. Co-written by Maxine and her "former writing partner and current sister" Sally Lapiduss, much of the material lacks universal appeal but deserves high marks for the sheer volume of high-caliber talent showcased during its fast-paced 75 minutes.

Lapiduss is an engaging standup comic and impressionist with a pleasant singing voice that occasionally wavers in its intonation.

Accompanied by music director/keyboardist Allison Cornell, a hard-driving five-piece band, effervescent young singer-dancer-actress Lynsey Bartilson and a four-man chorus, Lapiduss bombards the audience with sight and sound as she casts a jaundiced eye on her career in Hollywood.

Segueing between standup comedy and zany musical routines, Lapiduss briefly alludes to her childhood in Pittsburgh and her comedy club days in New York, but spends most of her time chronicling her 10 years in Hollywood making her way through the sitcom jungle. Stating benignly that she's "never taken a job just for the money," she (with the help of rear-screen projections by Leni Schwindinger and Amy Shock) treats the audience to images of "Charles in Charge," "the Jeff Foxworthy Show," "Home Improvement" and Tom Arnold.

One hilarious highlight features Lapiduss and company describing the process of pitching a sitcom idea to a series of ever0evolving TV executives (Joe Joyce, Joe Jokubeit, Brett Kennedy, Marvin Safford), who keep mispronouncing her name and keep changing the concept. Finally, Lapiduss finds herself dealing with a 12-year-old VP of comedy (portrayed by the monumentally talented Bartilson), who not only rejects Lapiduss but steals her series idea.

Lapiduss concentrates much of the show on her struggle to achieve happiness in her personal relationships. In a poignant vocal duet with Cornell, she alludes to the often sad and lonely situation of being an unattached female at a girl bar. And, in a truly funny standup bit, she relates that the new gay woman's status symbol is having a baby (by whatever means possible). In fact, she emphasizes, "it is the only way to be taken seriously as a power lesbian."

Occasionally veering away from her two main subjects, Lapiduss offers funny takes on such diverse subjects as plastic surgery, L.A.'s love affair with natural disasters (and her own fascination with Caltech seismologist Kate Hutton) and visiting her parents in Florida.

Musically, Lapiduss is at her best when supported by the company, especially the riotous spoof of "Seasons of Love" from the Broadway hit "Rent." The band is showcased effectively on "The Man I Love," which features a rip-roaring bongos duel between Lapiduss and percussion virtuoso Joanie Weir. And among a uniformly excellent backup ensemble, special mention must go to the comic talents of the lanky Safford.

The opening-night performance, which served as a fundraiser for Aviva Center (a treatment facility for abused children) featured the added talents of actors David Hyde Pierce, Kathy Najimy and Melissa Etheridge, who offered a comical musical ode to the center (sung to the melody of "Maria").