Vampire Lesbians of Sodom
by Charles Busch
Directed by Gary F. Bell
Stray Dog Theatre
June 10, 2023
Sarajane Clark, Greta Johnson, Victor Mendez, Zander Huber
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre
The latest production from Stray Dog Theatre is from celebrated playwright and drag artist Charles Busch, who seems to be a favorite of this theatre company, since they’ve performed several of his works in the past. Vampire Lesbians of Sodom is a fairly short play, but it packs a lot of laughs into its roughly 70 minute running time, featuring Busch’s campy style and an energetic cast who all seem to be having a great time on stage.
The story is told in three scenes, starting in the infamous biblical city of Sodom, then moving into glamorous 1920’s Hollywood, and finally arriving in glitzy 1985 Las Vegas. Most of the actors play a variety of roles, with notable exceptions being the two main characters, La Condesa Scrofula de Hoya (Sarajane Clark) and Madelaine Astarté (Xander Huber), whose rivalry lasts for many centuries. I won’t give too much away, because that might spoil the fun, but basically, it includes quests for amorous conquests, the blood of virgins, ambitious movie stars, and lots of stylized melodrama. It’s actually a fairly thin plot, but the point isn’t the plot, really.
The point here appears to be letting the actors ham it up as much as possible, and they do that with impressive enthusiasm, led by the gloriously theatrical Clark and Huber, who make the most of their roles as glamorous, seemingly ageless rivals. The rest of the cast includes Rachel Bailey, Greta Johnson, Victor Mendez, Nara, and Sean Seifert, most of whom play a variety of roles, with Seifert a standout in a hilariously physical performance as Las Condesa’s sycophantic butler in the Hollywood sequence. Johnson also makes a humorous impression as two different young, seemingly clueless aspiring starlets, and Mendez gleefully overacts his role as a movie star and jealous boyfriend. The staging is fast-paced and energetic, with moments of physical comedy, witty banter, and all that hilariously overdone emoting.
The set, by Rob Lippert, is appropriately versatile, featuring a mountainous backdrop that is modified with signage in the Hollywood and Vegas scenes. There are also gleefully whimsical costumes by Colleen Michelson and wigs by Sarah Gene Dowling. Tyler Duenow’s lighting and Justin Been’s sound also contribute to the humorous tone of the production.
Overall, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom is a broadly comic show that revels in its own silliness. With its use of language and innuendo, it’s not for everyone, but it’s a fun showcase for its enthusiastic cast. Fans of bawdy, campy comedy, and particularly those who appreciate the works of Charles Busch, should especially enjoy this show.
Xander Huber, Sarajane Clark
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre
Stray Dog Theatre is presenting Vampire Lesbians of Sodom at the Tower Grove Abbey until June 24, 2023
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