march 7.2003 « Ju st out ,4 3
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REVIEWS
Seduced by a siren
Step aside, E vita— a new Argen-diva
shines at Miracle Theatre
by
T im o th y K r a u se
cross the river from the main drag of Dar-
celle XV, Miracle Theatre has set up camp
with Sirem, Queen of the Tango.
This Latino farce from Arizona playwright
Guillermo Reyes is as elaborate as the tango
itself. Like a hawdy and tumultuous clip show
strung together from film noir classics, Sirena
follows a police detective on a homicide case.
In his search for the criminal, the Sergeant
finds the dame— in this case, Sirena, a gay
Argentine transvestite whose trail is littered
with the bodies of ex-husbands.
Sirena is sultrier than a summer night in
Buenos Aires, and it takes only one look for the
Sergeant to fall for this leading lady— “as long
as she’s dressed like a lady.” But Sirenas stone-
cold heart won’t succumb. The Sergeant tries to
move on hut is pulled hack by Sirena’s dance of
T h e re ’s alw ays a dam e: W hat detective
death, one that leads to a vigorous courtroom
could hold his own against Sirena, Queen
intercourse before a lusty lesbian judge.
of the Tango?
Will Sirena finally give up her torch song
nights to go straight? Or will the Sergeant he
Making her Portland directorial dehut, Sacha
her last tango partner before this femme fatale
Reich sets her “edgy oddballs’’ amid a funny hut
is led to the slammer?
feverish atmosphere charged with sexual ambiguity.
Andres Alcala, last seen as Molina in Miracle
The agile cast handles multiple (many cross
Theatre’s Kiss of the Spider Woman, inhabits the
gender) roles with exuberant flamboyance,
show’s namesake role. He’s a temptress with per
including those of psycho secretary (Andy
fect opposing rhythms of graceful wit and biting
Buzan), golem boytoy (Timothy Scarrott), anal
banter. (Not to mention a shapely figure and fash detective (Paddric M. Fitzgerald), slimy lawyer
ion to cry for—even Chicago’s Renée Zellweger
(Dan Palma) and a hitter, probably closeted dis
trict attorney practicing to he another Helen
couldn’t make prison stripes this glamorous.)
Gamble (Laura Faye Smith). JH
Rafael Untalan plays the Sergeant— a
smokin’ gumshoe who’s not just another het
M iracle T heatre , 525 S.E. Stark St., presents
erosexual heel, and he gives this eventual
bisexual an attractive mix of virility and sensi
Sirena, Queen of the Tango 7:30 p.m.
tivity. He, too, was last seen in Spider Woman
Thursday and 8 p.m. Frulay and Saturday through
and, like Alcala, carefully straddles the thin
March 15. Ticket are $13'$ 15 frmn
503'236-7253 or gretchen@milagro.org.
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Problem child
and
C0H0 Productions’ latest is banal and belabored
by
T im o th y K r a u se
s much as Miracle Theatre’s Sirena is candy
for the pedestrian masses, C 0 H 0 Produc
tions’ Child of Pleasure is an acquired taste
for an emdite few.
In this historical comedy, Drammy-winning
gay Portland playwright William S. Gregory
undresses the wit and wisdom of Ninon de
L’Enclos, a French prostitute cum philosopher.
Scarred from her broken, upper-middle-class
home, she embraces the alternative, Epicurean
lifestyle, wrapping herself in a world fond of
luxury that seeks pleasure over pain.
This haven is soon interrupted, however, by
the startling return of her deadbeat dad with
whom she dredges up the past, fights the pres
ent and ultimately reconciles the two. A story
familiar to many queers, hut still no fairy tale.
Child of Pleasure is the first in a trilogy of
plays hy Gregory examining the ahead-of-her-
times Ninon through modem eyes. Instead of
such a drawn-out affair, the cycle might he bet
ter conceived as a one-night stand, with Child
an effective introduction to this freethinking
strumpet s entire life.
As it was, at least one audience member
nodded off, and the night’s best line was heard
from backstage at intermission when some gig
gling female voice wildly implored to her girl
friend (one assumes), “Put your dress on!"
To his credit, Gregory’s language is graceful
ly lyrical. He thoughtfully explores how our
personal philosophies are shaped and tested by
the people and events in our lives. The play’s
conflict between estranged parent and adult
child, however, is stilted and its overwrought
wit a hit trying. Who knew the rebellious life
of a 17th century whore could be so dull?
As Ninon, buxom and beautiful Emily
Sahler Beleele provided a solid pivot to a world
that spins out of her control. Gary Norman is
droll as her fawning fey foil. But Curt Hanson’s
portrayal of Ninon’s disruptive father is un
convincing, and jabs from Paul Floding as
Ninons playwright pal are painful.
What succeeded, however, were the show’s
production elements. Set designer Frederick
Zal and lighting designer Jesse Smith provided
plush environs, while costumes designed by
Margaret Chapman nearly stole the show. JT1
C 0 H 0 PRODUCTIONS’ Child of Pleasure continues
at 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday
through March 15 at C 0 H 0 Theater, 2257 N.W.
Raleigh St. Tickets are $16-$I8 from 503-220-2646.
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