Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company Presents...
MEN OF STEEL!
And just what is that? Well, I'll tell ya. Take it easy! My COMIC NEWS INSIDER co-host, Joe, and I went to see this show last night. I had heard about this show through my friend, Emily. She had been involved with the theater company in the past and helps out when she can. We saw a show of theirs last year called Living Dead in Denmark. A sort of zombie Hamlet. It was fun, so I had high hopes for Men of Steel.
Well, that was 2 1/2 hours of my life I'll never get back. Men of Steel? Should have been called Men of Suckage! It was so bad....
Okay, just kidding! I bet I just gave anyone from the theater company reading this a heart attack. Sorry! Welcome to the site! I enjoy fucking with people. Mwhahahaha!
The gracious folk at the company had some press tickets set aside for us and even our names on a chair! We were greeted by the playwright, Qui, whom I had met previously. And their press agent, Jim, presented us with a press kit and such. As we sat, we wondered if our every want and need would be adhered to. Snap my fingers. Back massage. Clap of the hands. Champagne! Best theater company ever! Alas, not to be, but at least they did serve alcohol that you could take in with you. Woo hoo!
I'll get into my review in a bit, but first, a little something from their press release.
"Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company, now in its 5th season, will present the world premiere production of “MEN OF STEEL,” written by Qui Nguyen, directed by Robert Ross Parker, with fight choreography by Marius Hanford, when it begins performances on March 15 at Center Stage, NY, 48 West 21st Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues.) “MEN OF STEEL,” the startling tale of infinite power and ultimate sacrifice, will officially open on Sunday, March 18 at 8:00 p.m., and performances will run through April 8.
In a story that spins the superhero genre on its head, “MEN OF STEEL” follows the journey of five courageous crusaders aspiring for heroism against all odds. Included are tales of staggering suspense and astounding adventures that will surely have audiences riveted — witness a superhero lose control in the face of personal tragedy; see a dynamic duo attempt to save their nefarious neighborhood from the incredible increase of violent crime; fall in love with a drag queen with a heart of gold but a body of lead; and meet a hero whose quest for meaning mistakenly unleashes enormous evil. These interwoven tales combined with Vampire Cowboys’ astonishing action aesthetic re-imagines and explodes the comic book genre onto the live stage."
That sum it up for you? No? You want more. Sigh...fine. Greedy, bitches.
Like it says above, it follows different heroes divided into 3 stories. Seemingly unrelated. First we deal with Captain Justice (Jason Liebman) and his sidekick, Liberty Lady (Melissa Paladino). We learn that Justice is being taken in for a crime. He is clearly the Superman/Captain America type hero. She is the Robin/Bucky/Supergirl by his side. A Batman character named Maelstrom (Temar Underwood) narrates and guides us along their lives. Justice and Maelstrom were childhood friends. And grew up to be quite different heroes. They grew up alongside the class bully, Andy (Jeremy Sarver), who grows up to be the arch enemy of Justice known as The Hooded Menace. Justice has his Lois Lane-esque girl, Helen Harper (Sharon Eisman), intrepidly reporting. Some great fight choreography and nice background set up. And great timing for this show to come out. Of course, in the Marvel Universe, we all know about Captain America being arrested and eventually being killed. (To whom they dedicate the show!) I wont go into why Justice is being arrested, but it's a question that's often asked in comics. Maelstrom and Justice butt heads over how to fight crime. Very much like Superman and Batman do. Both on the side of good, but with very different methods.
The second story deals with Damon (Paco Tolson) and Lukas (Noshir Dalal). 2 neighborhood guys trying to make a difference. Clearly the comic relief of the play. They dress up as Mexican wrestlers and call themselves Hermanos Manos. Yes, the Hand Brothers. Think Nacho Libre. Not very good at crime fighting, but they give it their all. Paladino returns in a different role as the sister of Damon. She's dating a borderline alcoholic cop. (Tom Myers.) Hilarity ensues for awhile with Damon and Lukas until an accident happens lands them in jail.
The third story seems to take a very different turn from the rest of the play. We have a drag queen who is impervious to pain. Comedy? I think not. This is perhaps the darkest part of the show. The drag queen, Bryant (Tom Myers), is a bit...slow. Mentally. We learn that he enjoyed dressing up like his mom (Paladino again) and they were close. But, she was the subject of abuse. Which affected him into his adulthood. He likes to get hit now. He can't feel it, but he likes it. And still likes dressing as a woman. There's a worry here when someone plays a mentally handicapped person. Forrest Gump or Sling Blade might come out. There were moments that the voice sounded Gump-like, but it didn't take away from the performance and make it cheesy. It still was able to strike a chord. Especially in the scenes with Paladino. Powerful stuff. As an adult, Bryant is in the wrong place at the wrong time and ends up going to jail.
At one point, I started thinking of the Mad TV sketch, Stuart. You know the one. The big kid who acts up and his mom who is constantly yelling at him. It was nothing like that, but, I had to get it out of my head so I wouldn't laugh inappropriately.
We come back from intermission and they are all in jail. Captain Justice, Hermanos Manos, The Hooded Menace and Bryant. Maelstrom infiltrates and wants to break Justice out. Eventually, a great fight scene breaks out which is both hilarious and awesome at once. How they managed bullet time on stage, you'll just have to see!
Nice resolve, but is it happily ever after? Find out for yourself!
Oh, and during the show we are shown a short film. A few minutes long. I give you one word. Lego. And another word about the film. Genius! It was brilliantly funny and we were literally laughing out so loud. I think I wet myself. Once again, those Depends come in handy!
After the show, we were able to interview the director, writer and cast for about 15 minutes. It was fun and felt kind of like a panel at comic-con. I just wish we had more mics so we could pick everyone's comments up. I owe an apology to the playwright and Miss Paladino. I kept calling her character, Liberty Lady, by the name of Sky Girl. Quick explanation. One of the best new super hero comics out there is a book called Magnitude. Which I previously blogged about. There is a character named Sky Girl that is similar to Liberty Lady. Joe and I had just talked about the book before the interview, so I guess it was in my head. I eventually catch myself mid-interview. Anyway, It went great and we'll have those interviews on next week's show. Make sure you give it a listen!
I hate saying things like, "stand out performances", because I hate to pick favorites. You know I love all of my minions. But, I have to comment on a couple of them. Paco Tolson had some really funny moments. He played The Mole in the first story line. A really funny bad guy. Only on stage for moments, but you will guffaw heartily. And, of course, as Damon. 1/2 of Hermanos Manos.
And, Melissa Paladino. She plays 3 very different roles. The butt kicking teen, Liberty Lady. The pissed off girlfriend/protective sister, Camille. And the very touching Mommy. It's always hard to play multiple characters in a single show without playing the same moments and beats. As a former actor, I had to do it in several shows myself. The cast did a great job over all. But, Paladino. Damn.
And, no. I didn't pick her out just because she's hot. But, hey...there's that too.
Clearly, I highly recommend this show. Go see it! It has great geeky elements and homages to Marvel and DC Comics, Heroes, Battlestar Galactica, and many other nerdy things!
The complete schedule for “MEN OF STEEL” (March 15 through April 8) will be: Thursdays through Sundays at 8:00 p.m. Ticket will be $18.00. The box office number for reservations is 212-352-3101 or www.theatermania.com. Further information at 212-696-7806.
And I hate when they say this on the radio or in some ad, but please do it. Or I'll have to punch you in the junk.
Tell 'em COMIC NEWS INSIDER sent you!
The Dog Whisperer. Cesar Milan. I became addicted to his show on The National Geographic Channel. His mastery over dogs is spooky! As he says, he "rehabilitates dogs and trains humans." 
The Ghost Whisperer. Jennifer Love Hewitt's show on CBS. Or as I call it, The Boob Whisperer. Every show, she magnificently displays her 2 loves. Oh yeah, and talks to ghosts and stuff.
