OFF-BROADWAY REVIEW
WIG OUT!
Reviewed by Jenny Sandman
Published 2008-10-01
Pardon the obvious joke, but Wig Out at the Vineyard is, well, fabulous.
Wig Out is the story of a group of drag queens, competing against each other for the title of Legendary. Loosely structured into Houses (with “father,” “mother” and “children”), the Houses compete against each other in Balls, in which the contestants vie for prizes and trophies in various categories (such as “Realness,” “Face,” “Body,” “Runway,” etc.). The House of Light has been called to compete against the House of Di’Abolique, and they have only one night to prepare. Accompanied by three soulful Fates, the members of the House of Light have to put aside their personal rivalries and emotions in order to prove their fabulousness.
Directed by Tina Landau, Wig Out is not nearly as clichéd and catty as you would think. It’s almost a sensory overload—James Schuette’s scenery, in all its glittery, runway-evocative glory, is beautifully offset by Peter Kaczorowki’s lighting design and Robert Kaplowitz’s brilliant sound design. Surprising, the show seemed to resonate with audience members of all ages, proving fabulousness isn’t limited to the young and hip.
However, the acting is the real reason to see this show. Look for break-out performances by Clifton Oliver (Ms. Nina), Joshua Cruz (Venus), and Daniel T. Booth (Serena), also known as infamous drag persona “Sweetie.” The three Fates (Rebecca Naomi Jones, Angela Grovey, and McKenzie Frye) serve as a Greek chorus; they do better when they participate directly in the action, rather than commenting on it, but they bring a welcome female perspective—and a lot of great harmonizing—to the proceedings.
It’s a high-energy but ultimately reflective show, with some amazing choreography and even more amazing costumes. The best part of the show, however, is the last line. That was when I really fell in love with the show.
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