NYC, NY "Star-Crossed Lovers" Review

http://lephewproductions.com/starcrossedlovers.html

Star Crossed Lovers is a goofy romp into "geekdom".

What happens when you cross Star Wars, Star Trek, Comic Book Super Heros, Cartoons, and other pop culture with the Classic themes exhibited by Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story?
You get "Star Crossed Lovers"- Not so much a play as a series of comic skits about everything a geek can relate to. Skits written by geeks for geeks. It was throughly entertaining and fun with some groaners (jokes).

While some of of the overall appearance seems disorganised- Is it?
Or is it still part of the performance? When does the Skit end and reality begin? (Isn't that a question we ask ourselves every day?)

The cost is a little high, but it is in an above average perfomance space and part of the Midtown International Theatre Festival.

I had a good time.
As a disclaimer- I was also extremly tired and hopped up on Starbucks.

One of the skits sure to entertain would be ther recreation of the ESB lightsaber battle between Luke and Vader- with the updated information from Episodes I and II .

I would give the performance two Dead Jedi. (That's a good thing.)

Zippy

 

>Spaced out
>Star Crossed Lovers
>Written and directed by Charles Battersby
>Presented by The Splinter Group
>Midtown International Theatre Festival
>Raw Space Theatre L
>529 W. 42nd St. (279-4200/www.ticketcentral.org
><http://www.ticketcentral.org/> )
>Non-union production (closes July 26)

>Review by Elias Stimac


>Whether you're a Trekkie or a Star Warrior, a Trekker or a follower of the
>Force, you will probably get a (laser) blast out of Star Crossed Lovers, an
>irreverent look at futuristic fantasy films and their fanatical fans. From
>the opening scene, in which a disparate group of moviegoers battle it out
>for the front spot in line, viewers know they are in for some intergalactic
>fun.
>
>Charles Battersby wrote and directed this "tale of forbidden nerd love,"
>which in reality is a series of sketches loosely tied to the sci-fi theme.
>The romance that develops between Star Wars manly man Han Solo (Johnny
>Blaze
>Leavitt) and shapely Star Trek shipmate Uhura (Bobbie Owens) is looked down
>upon by their fellow space-saga enthusiasts, so they have to keep it a
>secret.
>
>In addition to the two main sources of inspiration, the playwright also
>skewers film favorites such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. But
>fantasy movies aren't the only targets on the bill. Diverse topics such as
>marriage, musicals, and organized religion get skewered throughout the
>course of the show, with some hilarious results.
>
>The staging by Battersby was a bit rough around the edges, but endearingly
>effective considering the eclectic material and free-for-all tone of the
>evening. There were lots of bloopers on the night reviewed, but they just
>added to the laughter.
>
>Battersby's motley crew of players also included a short female Darth Vader
>(Joy Masters), a no-nonsense Kirk/Worf (Joshua Polenberg), and a gregarious
>Uncle Woody (Howell Mayer). The star of the evening was diminutive Danielle
>Montezinos, who consistently amused with her kick-ass characterization of
>feisty Princess Leia. Her enthusiasm and commitment to each role she
>tackled
>was impressive, and hinted at her potential for stage and screen success.
>
>For this type of improv comedy revue, very little tech is required. Stacy
>Lynn Conner gets kudos for her sight and sound operation, while the
>costumes
>-- provided by Tony Bianchi & Halloween Adventure -- will make you want to
>run out and rent the videotapes for these shows.