St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN)
11/26/07
St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN)
November 26, 2007
Section: Main - Edition: St. Paul - Page: A5 = Column:Theater Review
MISS RICHFIELD'S HOLIDAY NAUGHTINESS IS A NICE TOUCH
RENEE VALOIS
Special to the Pioneer Press
There's no more certain antidote to an overdose of seasonal schmaltz than the tasteless hilarity of Miss Richfield 1981's holiday show, "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things." Even if you've seen the unsinkable transvestite "beauty queen" before, you'll fall out of your seat laughing over the new material and her traditional improvisational interaction with audience members, some of whom are dragged onstage for merry humiliation.
Russ King indecorously decorates the stage as Miss Richfield, and Todd Price plunks the piano for this ninth installment of the holiday show, which makes riotously funny fun of everyone from pious church ladies to stylish gay guys.
Miss Richfield's humor at audience expense is always the hit of the show, both because the victims are such good sports and because their reactions are priceless.
On opening night, Miss Richfield had a ball with a Jewish woman, a Mexican fireman, a Lebanese man and a row of lesbians. "They're from your country!" she exclaimed to the bemused Lebanese gentleman, whom she dubbed "Tim" because she couldn't pronounce his actual name.
There's also plenty of scripted comedy to fill the two-hour show, including a couple of goofy video segments, a holiday craft demonstration, music and dance numbers, and an audience singalong that gets way out of hand (and tune) as the wrong song lyrics end up with traditional carol melodies (think "Frosty the Snowman" sung to the tender strains of "Ave Maria").
The pinnacle of Miss Richfield's talent, however, may be her capacity to play "Edelweiss" by drawing her violin bow across the teeth of a handsaw. More than one young audience member held up their annoying camera phones to record that impressive number.
Miss Richfield's 2007 holiday show includes fresh scenery and seasonal props -- including a tall Christmas tree and her "first live plant!" -- a single poinsettia. (She says she spared no expense.) She even enters in a heavily ornamented tree costume.
The exuberant diva also holds a raffle that audience members are encouraged to enter. The winner receives tickets to Miss Richfield's upcoming show in January, making the raffle a brilliantly cheesy marketing opportunity as well as an appropriate holiday gift-giving occasion.
Audience tip: If you want to enhance your chances of being dragged into the act, sit in the front section or in the first row of the back section of the theater. If you'd rather laugh at the plight of others, avoid those areas.
Miss Richfield uses her naughtiness to spice up Minnesota Nice during the holidays. As the lady behind me said right after the performance: "Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!"
IF YOU GO
What: "Miss Richfield 1981 'These Are a Few of My Favorite Things' Happy Holidays 2007"
Where: Illusion Theater, 528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
When: through Dec. 9
Tickets: $30-25
Information: 612-339-4944, illusiontheater.org
Capsule: Miss Richfield looks good in her new fir.
Miss Richfield 1981, in the ninth installment of this holiday show, pokes fun at some familiar targets, including song lyrics and members of the audience.
November 26, 2007
Section: Main - Edition: St. Paul - Page: A5 = Column:Theater Review
MISS RICHFIELD'S HOLIDAY NAUGHTINESS IS A NICE TOUCH
RENEE VALOIS
Special to the Pioneer Press
There's no more certain antidote to an overdose of seasonal schmaltz than the tasteless hilarity of Miss Richfield 1981's holiday show, "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things." Even if you've seen the unsinkable transvestite "beauty queen" before, you'll fall out of your seat laughing over the new material and her traditional improvisational interaction with audience members, some of whom are dragged onstage for merry humiliation.
Russ King indecorously decorates the stage as Miss Richfield, and Todd Price plunks the piano for this ninth installment of the holiday show, which makes riotously funny fun of everyone from pious church ladies to stylish gay guys.
Miss Richfield's humor at audience expense is always the hit of the show, both because the victims are such good sports and because their reactions are priceless.
On opening night, Miss Richfield had a ball with a Jewish woman, a Mexican fireman, a Lebanese man and a row of lesbians. "They're from your country!" she exclaimed to the bemused Lebanese gentleman, whom she dubbed "Tim" because she couldn't pronounce his actual name.
There's also plenty of scripted comedy to fill the two-hour show, including a couple of goofy video segments, a holiday craft demonstration, music and dance numbers, and an audience singalong that gets way out of hand (and tune) as the wrong song lyrics end up with traditional carol melodies (think "Frosty the Snowman" sung to the tender strains of "Ave Maria").
The pinnacle of Miss Richfield's talent, however, may be her capacity to play "Edelweiss" by drawing her violin bow across the teeth of a handsaw. More than one young audience member held up their annoying camera phones to record that impressive number.
Miss Richfield's 2007 holiday show includes fresh scenery and seasonal props -- including a tall Christmas tree and her "first live plant!" -- a single poinsettia. (She says she spared no expense.) She even enters in a heavily ornamented tree costume.
The exuberant diva also holds a raffle that audience members are encouraged to enter. The winner receives tickets to Miss Richfield's upcoming show in January, making the raffle a brilliantly cheesy marketing opportunity as well as an appropriate holiday gift-giving occasion.
Audience tip: If you want to enhance your chances of being dragged into the act, sit in the front section or in the first row of the back section of the theater. If you'd rather laugh at the plight of others, avoid those areas.
Miss Richfield uses her naughtiness to spice up Minnesota Nice during the holidays. As the lady behind me said right after the performance: "Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!"
IF YOU GO
What: "Miss Richfield 1981 'These Are a Few of My Favorite Things' Happy Holidays 2007"
Where: Illusion Theater, 528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
When: through Dec. 9
Tickets: $30-25
Information: 612-339-4944, illusiontheater.org
Capsule: Miss Richfield looks good in her new fir.
Miss Richfield 1981, in the ninth installment of this holiday show, pokes fun at some familiar targets, including song lyrics and members of the audience.