After asking the audience for the title of a musical that’s never been performed, Baby Wants Candy launched into Bed, Bath, and Beyond This Planet: a comedy of cosmic proportions. Musical numbers that followed included solos, duets, trios, and full cast renditions of songs created on the spot, starting with a startling “Stop!” to get attention.
With a storm coming on, Peter Gwinn led his fictional wife (Erica Elam) into removing their possessions, notably “Stuff, Stuff, Stuff” from the store mentioned in the musical’s title, to their basement. There they discovered homeless people. Meanwhile, three corresponding characters landed from a planet from which they’re making a last-ditch effort to find a spouse for their gal (Ashley Ward). If she doesn’t get one on earth, it was pronounced, the mission’s head (Tim Sniffen) will have it destroyed.
When all got together, the visitors hilariously explained their ways of sexual expression and their gal illustrated it, captivating the earth wife. Whatever blandishments were offered, the husband still sang “I’ve Got Stuff and That’s Enough.” He didn’t want the planetary visits to linger.
By this time, the two gals had realized their love in song and actually. Though the husband learned he needs more than stuff, he had to give up his wife. He ended by sharing life and possessions with a changed homeless group. Earth was saved! The Baby Wants Candy players and their musicians (names not mentioned in programs) were the most polished guest performers to play at FST since last year’s Improvised Shakespeare. It was no surprise to learn they have worked with that troupe and others in Chicago as well as Second City and other worldwide performers-creators. At FST’s Gompertz, they brought down the house.
