Stunning Costumes and a set that you would feel comfortable living in keep your eyes busy looking at all the gorgeous colors, red, gold and purple – all from exotic South Asia. Playwright Ash Kotak has written about the Hijras – the mystical “Third Gender” of South Asia where some people believe that the trans genders have secret powers to grants wishes and bless weddings, or if you wish cast a spell.

Wherever it takes place it follows the schemes of pushy mothers around the globe who want to marry their son’s or daughters to the best catch. Nils who is Indian, but is British-born tries to avoid attempts by his mother to get him to marry a girl in India. Nils has already fallen in love with Raj, the adopted son on a Guru Hijra. It soon becomes a funny comedy of mistaken identities with cross dressing thrown in. Not unlike the British classic “Noises Off”. Sure, it’s unlikely that Raj could disguise himself as a woman, actually get married in India, get a passport to the USA and pass himself of as a woman in a predominately Indian community in N.Y – but it makes for a lot of laughs.

The mothers in the play are really fantastic. I love their scheming ways, which could be called “Bitchy Plotting.” The directing by Andrew Nance keeps the acting moving – which is not easy in the first act that kind of plods along. But Nance nails it all together in Act Two with his send up of culture and politics.

Of course, Raj does not live in drag forever. We get the feeling that the relationship is spent – and he returns to India as a boy. His pal says: “I want you to come back” – not too convincingly, The terrific cast are: Maya Capur, Wesley Cayabyab, Ashish Joshi, Sareeka Malhotra, Michael Mohammed, Rachel Raijput, Sukanya Sarkar and Mukund Venkatech. All gave amazing performances.

AT THE NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER

RATING: THREE GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!
CAFÉ EXTRA:

I was just beginning to enjoy my “Latte” at the Café Extra when the fire alarm went off in the high rise building where the Café is at. They made us all leave and they locked the door. After about twenty minutes – we were allowed back in. That included me, the women who was carrying about 17 full plastic bags and the guy who was sleeping peacefully over in the corner.

My Latte was stone cold – so I asked for another one, which they were happy to give me. Several people who had ordered the new fare “A Breakfast Sandwich” had to order them again – because of course they were also cold. But things began to get back to normal soon, or as normal as this place can be.

At the counter was a guy singing something from “Fiddler On The Roof” – he said “Who do I sound?’ I replied – Do you mean how do you sound? Well, it’s O.K. I said – but you are competing with the XM Radio and they are not playing the music from Fiddler. I asked him why he was singing it, and he told me that the Vallejo Music Theatre is holding auditions for “Fiddler on the Roof” on May 1 & 2 at the Fetterly Playhouse for the Arts, 3467 Sonoma blvd, Suite 10 in Vallejo at 7pm. I also found out from the flyer that he handed me that the Vallejo Music Theatre will continue its policy of casting its shows non-traditionally. For instance Children as young as 6 are encouraged to audition for leads in the Chorus. And – then he danced his way out towards the exit not forgetting to pick up a few sugar packs on the way. To sweeten the voice, of course.

All of a sudden the woman with all the plastic bags jumped up on the counter and sang her version of the 60’s hit “It’s My Party” – made famous by Lesley Gore, who incidentally is appearing at the Brava Theater this weekend on Sat. & Sun. After the initial shock – everyone went back to their Laptops and their Latte’s. When asked why she picked that number to sing, she told me because –“ I’m a Lesbian and It is MY PARTY – and I’ll do whatever the F---k I want.” Oh O.K. Can we hear the verse?



I ran into L. Helman, publicist around town of some of the most new and exciting theater venues. He ran up to me and shouted – “Have I Got a Great one for you this time.” I wondered – what was he offering? Chocolates or something even more sensual? Well, Helman is never at a loss for words – so he went on: I’m very excited to be able to tell you about “Like A Dog On Linoleum” – the upcoming one-man show opening in SF on June 8 starring Leslie Jordan – star of TV and film. It will be at the Lorraine Hansberry Theater.” He was so loud that he caught the attention of everyone at Café Extra. They were all ears as he told us that they have all seen Lesley in roles on “Will and Grace”, “Boston Legal” and as one of the stars of the cult “Sordid Lives.” Helman says that Jordan is ‘proud, gay and well over four feet. Well, at least he sparred us the “hung” bit. Helman said: “I was hoping that you will do an advance story of Jordan and his amazing career and ask him about his solo show.” And with that, like all publicists he spotted someone walking by, that he couldn’t wait to regale him with the news. He yelled back to me as he left. – “Let’s Talk.” And then comes in Russ Lorenson – that terrific entertaining guy that not only is a great singer but a charmer as well. Under his arm was a bunch of his new C.D’s to put in the rack at the counter. Gee, he not only sings – but delivers. Now that’s entertainment. Russ told me that he will have a C.D party and show at the Plush Room on May 1st. Tix are going fast – and he’s worried that he will run out of munchies. I will look for you there.

I never did get the chance to sip my Latte or to read the New York Times that someone had left behind, but look at book at the broad, roaring time I had at the Café Extra.

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