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By Mariah Reed
Keith Dougherty brings his unique interactive murder-mystery genre to Fort Lauderdale with his hilariously goofy production The Golden Girls Gone Wild! Stan’s Back, currently playing at Empire Stage.
The creator of Murder Mystery Manhattan (www.murdermysterymanhattan.com ) blends parody, physical comedy, and audience interaction for an evening of spicy humor featuring three gorgeous and gifted actors in drag, one petite comedic female fireball, and a lone, testosterone-fueled male character who brings them all together through unlikely means—for murder and mayhem.
No stranger to parody, Dougherty has spoofed many of our favorite television shows and films throughout the tri-state area, inspiring loyal followers for more than 35 years to seek out his latest work. Utilizing his talents as actor, writer, producer, and director, Dougherty keeps his productions current, incorporating trendy elements into the classic murder-mystery format. His playfully provocative humor elicits many a guffaw and groan, fully engaging the audience. And if that weren’t enough, his characters continually interact with viewers, often pulling spectators out of their seats to participate as ancillary characters, much to everyone’s amusement.
This level of interaction requires the actors to employ considerable improvisational skill, impressing us with their commitment to character and spontaneous wit as they play off audience feedback to land comic punchlines time and again. Shy theatre aficionados need not fear unwanted attention, however, as the actors are careful to recruit only those who are willing, and ready, to be front and center in the development of the story.
And what a story. We begin with our beloved Golden Girls (sans Dorothy) arriving at Jazzy Jack’s Crab Shack, where they’ve been informed that Dorothy’s ex-husband, Stanley, will soon arrive to make an important announcement. The ladies are resentful of Stan’s summons, still harboring ill will toward the man who broke their friend’s heart in a painful divorce.
Don’t expect logic in this bawdy tale; instead, delight in the hilariously colorful insults and salacious slurs delivered with spot-on timing. Not for the faint of heart, this production will tickle your funny bone if you enjoy ribald jokes that crank the dial well past eleven (for our Spinal Tap fans). In other words, the show is decidedly R-rated and not for the easily offended.
As the ladies wait for Stan, we learn that Dorothy is still at work and will appear later in the day. Enter Stan and his new girlfriend, Chrissy Coochie. Furious that Dorothy’s ex has chosen to flaunt his new love in their faces, the girls alternate between attacking Stan and his new mate and bickering amongst themselves over the best course of action. Before much can happen, however, someone (no spoiler alerts here) drops dead. And so begins the murder-mystery portion of the evening.
Audience members are recruited to read clues, coroner reports, and historical accounts that help determine who is responsible for the murder, and happily, the answer is far from obvious. In true murder-mystery fashion, nearly everyone has a motive, and though our colorful characters are occasionally distracted by side antics (such as a random Dating Game reenactment), the culprit is eventually revealed, and their motives ring true.
Keith Dougherty displays impressive range as he brings both Chrissy and Dorothy to life. His transformation from one to the other is effective both physically and emotionally, with distinct personalities anchoring each role. His deft direction keeps the action moving at a brisk pace, allowing jokes to land in rapid succession without slowing the narrative.
Amanda Baumler, as Sophia, earns the biggest laughs with her sassy portrayal of a New York Italian senior whose razor-sharp wit operates with absolutely no filter. John Hernandez delivers a terrific performance as the intellectually challenged Rose, using pitch-perfect deadpan timing to unleash some of the evening’s most sidesplitting lines.
Jesús Reyna’s Stan Soreback is the glue that holds the production together and the catalyst for much of the mayhem, his delightfully schizophrenic mood swings (from despondent mourner to lustful lech) both convincing and uproarious. Larry Buzzeo’s Blanche strikes the perfect balance between sultry cougar and Southern belle.
Preston Bircher’s lighting design is, as always, masterful, and stage manager Patrick Vida handles all cues flawlessly while making a very funny surprise cameo as the mobile detective unit. Dougherty’s production design makes us feel right at home in a South Florida seafood haunt, providing the perfect backdrop for six eccentric seniors reuniting for a night of drama.
If you’re looking for entertainment that will transport you to a world of silly hijinks, where the troubles of the day melt away like chocolate in a South Florida senior’s handbag, The Golden Girls Gone Wild! Stan’s Back will most certainly be your cup of (caffeinated) tea.
The Golden Girls Gone Wild! Stan’s Back runs through Jan. 18, at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale. Shows Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 5 p.m. Plus 8 p.m. Sunday Jan. 18, Tickets: $37.50 plus tax. Call 954-678-1496 or visit www.empirestage.com
Mariah Reed is an Equity actress, produced playwright and tenured theatre professor.
