Group of ‘Honeys’ create a fun hell
There are some interesting and challenging choices facing Buffalo would-be playgoers these nights and occasional days: a rare production of an early Arthur Miller work at Road Less Traveled, a classic Moliere 17th century comic imbroglio at the Irish Classical and a desolate Samuel Beckett revival in Torn Space.
Oh, and let’s not forget “Hell Hole Honeys” at the Alleyway.
Seriously, it should be on your list. Miller, Moliere, Beckett. Have to think. But, “Hell Hole Honeys”—women in prison, caged, mean and nasty, sex starved, lots of violence, drugs and billingsgate — and some surprises from director Todd Warfield, whose “Reefer Madness” a couple of seasons back is still a hilarity benchmark. Puzzlement and worry are scarce, and there is little social value. And there are songs!
It took a trio of collaborators to write this play — Steve Mackes, David Ogrin and Ben Budick — and they’ve also combined their talents on “Boobs,” and who can forget “Wild Women of Planet Wongo.” “Hell Hole Honeys” is beginning regional rounds, and college campus stages can’t be far behind.
The story introduces naive but principled cable access reporter Mary Jo Huntsinger who, disclosing a no-show job scam in a large municipality, refuses to name her sources and is jailed in hard-core Bellpole Prison. There she meets Scratch, Squeaky, Bitch, Ho and her roommate, “Cutter.” Very nice group. There is a Bibletoting, booze-swilling matron, Selma, and a slime-ball warden, who’s in on the job scam — an identity-theft plot involving the Honeys. It gets complicated — with Mary Jo’s beau, an assistant district attorney.
Mary Jo is a sweetie and sings to her new friends that she wants to be “Just Like Diane Sawyer.” She’s way out of her league, of course, threatened and abused and in danger. The warden, particularly, has evil plans and cackles about them on a scary tune, “Lost in the System.” After that song, the steady laughs and giggles taper off except for some outrageous Bitch-Ho-Squeaky moments. “Hell Hole Honeys” nearly gets close to sending a message.
Most of the songs are listenable — some almost pretty — but two or three are atonal and difficult to decipher. Mary Jo — played by a wonderfully complete Kim Piazza — sings pristinely about her plight; Pamela Rose Mangus, an Alleyway regular, brings down the house with the rousing “And That’s the Truth;” and at play’s end there is a hopeful anthem, “I Can Stand a Little Rain.” It’s memorable work by Piazza and the ensemble. Rap, hip-hop — composer Ogrin has provided a rhythmical mix.
So, this is not your maiden aunt’s musical: blunt talk, lots of body part humor, some skin, suggested sex and groping, plenty of attitude — and lots of guffaws and giggles.
Director/set designer Warfield has assembled an excellent cast, which performs at full-tilt: the superb Piazza, Stephanie Bax, Victoria Perez, Jasmine Ramos, Kate Wolff, veteran Mangus, Casey Denton, Jeff Coyle and an actress listed only as “Mercedes.” Outstanding ensemble work.
Theater Review
“Hell Hole Honeys”
★★★
Musical playing through May 9 in Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain Up Alley. For more information, call 852-2600 or visit www.alleyway.com.
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