Fringe: “The Fabulous Kane Sisters…” An unexpected, but happy surprise.

“The Fabulous Kane Sisters in BOX OFFICE POISON” is a tribute to a style of theater I haven’t seen in New York in decades. That of Charles Ludlum and ‘The Ridiculous Theater’. From the late 1960’s until his death from AIDS in 1987, Ludlum and his company helped create some of the most hilarious, campiest, sexiest, most erudite and eclectic theater to be seen in New York. I will never forget his spot-on hysterical love letter to Maria Callas in “Galas” or his hirsute, but ultimately extremely moving, Marguerite Gautier in “Camille” and of course his most famous play, performed with only his lover Everett Quentin, the ‘penny dreadful’ “Irma Veep”.

Now writers Marc Geller (also the director) and Bill Roulet (who also play the ‘Fabulous Kane Sisters’, Nova and Lana) have given us their salute to this great playwright and his large unforgettable company. While Mr. Geller might be channeling his inner Charles Busch in his Joan Crawford/Greer Garson style, the rest of the large ensemble is pure ‘Ridiculous’. This is especially true of Elizabeth West who as Romane, the costume mistress, who was formally ‘Miss Naughty Nipples’, comes out swinging her pasties-covered breasts. I swear if Black Eyed Susan weren’t still alive, West would be her reincarnation. Near nudity along with hot-bodied men, very well here played by David A. Rudd and Christian Pedersen, were once staples of Ludlum and Co.

In this world, not only is any word spared from being used as a double, triple or quadruple entendre, but no innuendo, no matter how old and hoary, is left untouched. (Sample; Lana Kane: We lost our cattle ranch in Wyoming because I couldn’t keep my calves together! Be yump bump.) Still for every two or three bad jokes and asides, there were four or five that were wildly outrageous and funny. The entire company of 15 (!) is completely up to the task of making this loving tribute so enjoyable. I especially want to commend Nicholas Gorham, who plays ‘Stinky’ the assistant stagehand without a tongue. His exposition scenes with Nova Kane were pure genius.

While “Kane Sisters…” is a little bit long at times, I seem to remember some of Ludlum’s plays dragging a bit here and there. So in that respect Geller and Roulet are giving him their due.

Thanks guys for not only writing, directing and performing a ‘divinely funny’ new play, but reminding me of the glory days of one of the great theater companies New York has ever produced: ‘The Ridiculous Theater’!

Now the bad news; “The Fabulous Kane Sisters…” has only one more performance on Friday the 22nd at 4:45. Rush the Cherry Lane Theater. It’s that good.