Cry-Baby at Paperwing Theatre

Cry-baby the Musical

Based on the John Waters film, Cry-baby is a rock-a-billy musical comedy that follows the story of Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker- a disaffected teenage rebel leader of the "Drapes". Teenage Allison falls in love with the pacifist bad boy, despite her grandmother's disapproval and the resentment of her current "square" friends. The musical differs from the film in a number of ways, with many sub-plots abandoned or changed to suit a more streamlined narrative that focuses mostly on the romance and allegoric comedy.

Randy Pires steps into the title role with campy bluster that is way too cool for School, his vocals capturing parts Elvis and parts Rob Halford with a southern twang. Alyssa Matthews is Allison Vernon-Matthews, ridiculously naive and hopeful for a day when she might release her inhibitions and be as bad as she wants to be. Alyca Tanner is dramatically prim, proper, and sincere in her portrayal of Mrs. Vernon-Matthews, the grandmother of Allison. The three leads take the audience on a ride through rockabilly camp with featured performances from the female "Drapes" Wanda (played with sultry energy by Zeana Bey), the dangerous "Hatchet-Face" (Played with vicious glee by Erin Elizabeth Davison) and pregnant Pepper (with "in your face" energy from Persis Tomingas). Edie Flores puts in a charismatic performance as Dupree, Cry-baby's best friend.

And there were two show stealing performances that hit me hard and kept me laughing throughout the entire show- first, Joseph Jones absolutely KILLS it as the obnoxious "Baldwin", would-be suitor to Allison and Cry-baby's rival in music. Jones delivers an inspired slapstick performance with frantic energy and over confidence. One scene had be doubling over in physical pain as he runs back and forth in the background, screaming for "Allison!" with his arms flailing like Kermit the Frog.

Second, Zanna Wei is deliciously INSANE as the Cry-baby obsesssed "Lenora", whose song "Screw Loose" was played with over the top madness that spiraled into dark revelations about the character and the depths of her lunacy. (I wonder how many more ways I can say she was Bat-fuck bonkers crazy before I finish this paragraph?) I was in tears, trying to catch my breath, and loving the absolutely hysterical duet between her and Baldwin (All in my Head) as they dream of their perfect future with their significant paramours. 

An enthusiastic ensemble went all in on the production, making this a great experience for fans of local performances. Highly recommended with an 8 out of 10.