Hannah Miller, is performing in the Fringe show, Cat Women of the Moon. I gave her a call the week before Fringe to see if I could get a sketch of the first dress rehearsal. The rehearsal took place at the director, Les Caufield’s, home. The primitive stage was set up outside in his screened in porch area right in front of the pool. There was a flurry of activity as everyone got into costumes and props were set in place. All the astronauts sit on garbage cans. The interior of the space ship is represented by three panels with crudely painted buttons and dials.
Hannah plays Helen Slater and she is having a romance with all three of the male crew members. She leads the crew off course and right into the clutches of the Cat Women of the Moon. The Cat Women control Helen with a glowing hand held device. The evil plot of the Cat Women is to take over the Earth and keep only a few men as sex slaves and pets. I wasn’t a fan of the play, but perhaps women will get a secret pleasure watching men walked on stage with a leash and told to kneel.
The acting in the play is in no way subtle. This is intended as a fun, campy, musical riot but more often than not the humor and songs fall flat. When Helen is attacked by a giant moon spider, the audience is invited to pull a string in the program which will heighten the virtual experience. The program also had 3D glasses for the more in depth and dramatic scenes.
Most of the cast are high school students this being there first major theatrical experience. That excitement is contagious, but in the end the production is never elevated above a high school production. If you want to experience some strange overacted, campy fun, check out this show in the Green Venue (Rep Theater) at the Fringe.
Sunday May 23, 1:10 PM
Tuesday May 25, 10:30 PM
Thursday May 27, 5:15 PM
Friday May 28 11:40 PM
Saturday May 29 7:55 PM
To be fair, Thor, you saw a rehearsal by a cast missing two of its principal performers, bone tired of practice, and ready for an audience. Might explain why songs and camp that "fell flat" for you were described by the Orlando Sentinel as having enviable "pace and polish" when seen at the venue:
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_stage_theat/2010/05/orlando-fringe-review-cat-women-of-the-moon.html
The drawing is charming though and thanks for coming out! Sorry you didn't enjoy it as much as we do. =)
I talked to a critic at Fringe and decided it is unfair to have judged the play based on this early rehearsal. I plan to attend at Fringe and see the final polished version. Perhaps I will be singing a different tune.