Entering the North Coast Repertory Theater, one is presented with a single yellow sheet of paper. On it is a list of songs such as "Free Food and Frontal Nudity, to be sung by Adam, Eve, God, and the Snake;"One Helluva Job" by Mary and Mrs. Gandhi; "The Dating Scene" by Pocahontas and Minnehaha, "Loving Him Is Where I Went Wrong" sung separately by both Eva Braun and Laura Bush, and "A Stain on My Character" vocalized by Monica Lewinsky.
There is an overly long bio of the three principals; composer Jed Feuer (Andrew Ableson), author and lyricist Boyd Graham (Omri Schein) and ivory tickler Albert Aronheim (Steven Withers). On the flip side is a pitch for the new musical, "The Big Bang," which features 137 songs, 318 Equity union players, and will run 12 hours. The banner reads, "Welcome to Tonight's Backers Audition of `The Big Bang.'"
As Jed and Boyd prep the elegant apartment (designed by the talented Marty Burnet) for their guests, Albert fingers the keyboard. For the next hour and change we are regaled with some of the funniest, worst, best, lyrical, atonal songs to be allowed on a stage. Adding to the keyboard are Chris Luessmann's delightful sound effects. Bonnie Durben's lighting task involved creating scenes from the Garden of Eden and Egypt to Napoleon's France and the White House.
Since we're in an elegant apartment with no costume staff, we are left with the unique talents of costumers Peter Herman and Cindy Kinnard, ably complemented by the props and set dressing of Bonnie Durben. Thus, the apartment itself became the costume department. Drapes, curtains, bar supplies, and much, much more became the costumes. You'll be surprised how unique tee shirts can be.
The Big Bang, under Rich Simas's direction, is a fast-moving production featuring two extremely talented performers. Hold on to your wallet, these guys know how to con the most cautious of investors. Get a front-row seat, your won't regret it.
