DROP-DEAD FUNNY
What happens when you take Little Shop of Horrors and mix it with The Pink Panther cartoons, and throw in a little dash of Urinetown? You get this fantastic dark musical comedy Did You See What Walter Paisley Did Today? Based on Roger Corman’s 1959 horror-tinged beatnik satire A Bucket of Blood, the book, music and lyrics are by Randy Rogel of Animaniacs. Developed and directed by BT McNicholl, the show does not feel as long as the title. If anything, the crisp, quick pacingwill keep you on edge and in stitches.
Steven Booth and Vanessa Sierra
Walter Paisley (Steven Booth) is a struggling sculptor dreaming of making a name for himself. He works in a run-down café owned by a failed musician, Leonard (Kingsley Leggs). This Bohemian enclave is frequented by a slew of wannabe bohemian artists, including a very insufferable poet, Maxwell (Ross Hellwig), and the lovely and unavailable love interest/dancer, Carla (Vanessa Sierra). Walter Paisley has struggled with his craft and suffered ridicule from the public, not to mention unwarranted sexual advances from his flirtatious landlord, Mrs. Swickert, played by the very funny Kathy Fitzgerald. One day, Paisley discovers an unconventional way of creating lifelike sculptures, and he becomes the talk of the town. If I tell you his methods, I too might become Paisley’s next work of art, so you’re gonna have to find out for yourself.
James Caleb Grice, Vanessa Sierra, Steven Booth and Kingsley Leggs
The well-cast ensemble members all have great comic timing. Mr. Booth has both charm and pipes. He keeps the show going with the caffeine-fueled manic tempo the creator intended. Ms. Sierra’s incredible voice has a beautiful belting tone, blending perfectly with Booth. As the sexually aggressive landlady, Broadway pro Fitzgerald kills her every scene with an over-the-top nuttiness. As Beatnik Guy, James Caleb Grice is a graceful and beautiful dancer.
The Company
The design team has really given it their all. John Iacovelli’s scenic design is functional, practical, and dramatic, shifting in such a way that it adds to the story’s charm. David Lander’s lights, Cricket S. Myers’ sound, and Ann Closs-Farley’s Costume/Wig/Makeup Design are all turns the world of Corman’s black and white into living color. Pamela K. Marsden’s prop design and set dressing reinforces the dark comedic world in which a skillet is a murder weapon. Aran de la Peña’s puppets are very, very cute and hysterical.
Steven Booth (center) and The Company
Narrative kinks need smoothing over. Act II needs a boost of energy. Walter’s jealousy of Carla’s friendship with Greg seems to fizzle and led nowhere, which reads like an untracked thought during rewrites. The café owner’s character is underwritten and uncompelling; it almost feels strange for him to get his own number given his character lacks the edge of other characters. As such, the score can feel ersatz and inorganic. Every song sounds like a song from another show. Nothing wrong with pastiche (Follies, Book of Mormon) though, and the composer clearly knows his musical theatre history because he has one song that is very similar to “She Touched Me” from the forgotten flop Drat That Cat.
Steven Booth and Kathy Fitzgerald
The concept is fantastic, and the jokes are solid. Even if it needs tweaking, it’s a good macabre comedy, so get a ticket and find out what Walter Paisley is up to at the La Mirada Theatre.
photos by Jason Niedle
Vanessa Sierra, Josh Adamson, Steven Booth, Ross Hellwig and Kathy Fitzgerald
Did You See What Walter Paisley Did Today?
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada
Thurs at 7:30; Fri at 8; Sat at 2 & 8; Sun at 1:30 & 6:30
ends on April 2, 2023
for tickets, call 562.944.9801 or visit La Mirada Theatre