THEATER REVIEW: “Lysistrata Jones”
Reviewed by Jean Lowerison
Shakespeare had Bernstein and Sondheim. Aristophanes has Douglas Carter Beane and Lewis Flinn to modernize his classic comedy about Greek women, weary of the lengthy and pointless Peloponnesian War, conspiring to end the war with a “sex jihad,” denying union with their men until the fighting stops.
Anaheim’s Chance Theater offers the West Coast premiere of the musical “Lysistrata Jones” through March 9, directed by Kari Hayter.
The Athens University basketball team hasn’t won a game in 30 years. Worse, the players don’t seem to care.
Enter new transfer student Lysistrata Jones (Devon Hadsell), appalled by the school’s lack of spirit, who rallies the women – first by organizing a cheering squad, next by convincing them to say “I Don’t Think So” to their guys’ sexual entreaties.
Let’s face it, this is funny stuff – especially given Beane’s clever, hip-hop laced, jive-talkin’ script that plays like something you’d hear on any college campus today. The show is, after all, less than three years old, and held together by Greek-robed narrator Hetaira (Camryn Zelinger), who may or may not also be a sex worker.
“Lyssie J” gets help from studious Xander (Robert Wallace), who first points out that the school’s mascot (a Spartan) and its name (Athens U.) don’t seem to belong in the same sentence, since ancient Athens and Sparta were separate and – at the time of the Aristophanes play – warring city states.
But Xander loves a good party, and agrees to arrange the big blowout following the team’s first win.
There’s only one problem.
Director Kari Hayter keeps the action moving, and these fine young actors – most from Cal State Fullerton’s theater program – do the rest, with an able assist from four onstage musicians led by Rod Bagheri.
There are no weak links here, but giving particularly strong performances were Hadsell, Zelinger, Driskill and Wallace.
Bravo also to choreographer Kelly Todd, whose imagination and cleverness are given greater rein in this larger space.
Chance inaugurates its new theater with this show, about 100 yards down the way from their previous digs. This space offers better restroom facilities, a nicer lobby and more playing space. There’s room enough here for a basketball court with space at both ends, and a platform on top of which the band sits, while the rest is used as playing space.
As for “Lysistrata Jones,” it is one funny show. It’s worth the trip north to see it.
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