When seeing a show called Singing Eggs & Spermless Babies, you know you are going to be seeing something….different.
Singing Eggs & Spermless Babies takes place on a Gay Cruise attended by a frustrated lesbian couple who have been trying to conceive. Miraculously, there is a fertility doctor on board whose research with lizards has led him to believe that he can create a human fetus using two eggs and no sperm. Oh, and there are some giant pink human eggs running around.
To be perfectly honest, Singing Eggs & Spermless Babies, is slow, grossly underwritten, and at times offensive. The songs don’t contribute to plot or character development and the characters are broad stereotypes of the gay community- the “lipstick lesbian” who desperately wants a baby, her “ butch” partner who secretly wants to be a man, their flip-flopping skanky bi-sexual friend, and a pair of super effeminate gay men. If this was supposed to be satire, the point was not made. Successful satire requires at least some subtlety; no matter what your religion, political beliefs, or sexual orientation, this musical’s song titled “Jesus is a Big Old Fag” is offensive and alienating. The plot was confusing and meandering – the key plot point is the final experimental invetro-fertilization of the main character- this reviewer is not a doctor, but I am pretty sure that you can’t perform major surgery on a cruise ship.
The set was a major problem for this production, far too much of the show’s 80 minutes were spent moving awkward and unnecessary set pieces. The show could just as easily have been done with a few rehearsal blocks and some chairs. The songs seemed under rehearsed and the singing was very poor. Overall, whatever point Singing Eggs and Spermless Babies was trying to make did not come across. However, the singing eggs were really cute.
See It: You’ve always wanted to see a human egg dance. You are not offended by anything.
Skip It: If you’re offended by anything.
A Note: I have worked with Alison Talvacchio (Eggem/ Choreographer) in the past. This did not affect my review.
Singing Eggs & Spermless Babies
Books and Lyrics by Rebecca Gingrich-Jones
Music by Benjamin Shallenberger
Directed by Alan Balch
Music Direction by Ben Shallenberger
Reviewed by Jessica Pearson
Running time: 90 minutes
Read all the reviews and check out the full Capital Fringe schedule here.
Did you see the show? What did you think?
I also disagree with this review. I thought the presentation was beyond entertaining and witty. The musical was highly enjoyable and in no way did I ever become offended nor suffer from boredom. The cast did a great job, the music was well presented and the storyline was further than clever.
Dolly:
So, I didn’t see Galactica, and thus I cannot really comment on the comparison. I can only say that the shows seem to make different promises. A lip-syncing drag show seems to promise simple fun and entertainment. But I did not see this show–it might have much more.
A musical is promising to have a storyline and/or characters to care about, people who can sing, original music…it promises these things as a full-fledged musical production, and Singing Eggs failed miserably. (Again, this is my opinion,but also seems to hold true for all 3 reviewers commenting.) I have expectations for a musical as a cohesive show. If I went to a fancy steakhouse expecting filet and was handed a Big Mac, my reaction would be “WTF is this?” I don’t mean fancy costumes, lights, etc…just theatre basics. Acting. Singing. Story.
I did not intend to attack the reviewer- being ignorant about queer issues is an all too common state for a lot of Americans today. Most aren’t willingly ignorant – it’s just a matter of circumstance. And the point I was making focused on the reviewer’s declaring as *stereotypical* the Erin character – and my knowledge that most butch lesbians don’t want to be men- they are butch cuz that’s what feels right to them. So to me, that reveals lack of understanding about the LGBT community. Does that mean she can’t still see the show and think it sucks on its merits? Obviously not, but I do think it could be possible that someone who lacks understanding about a topic that makes up about 90% of a production might have additional challenges when reviewing it in an unaffected way.
Also, I still wonder how one can compare a lip-synced drag show to a live musical. CAn anyone explain that w/out finding the need to to defend the reviewer or accuse me of attacking her? Seems like a pretty simple question to me – I have already admitted I am not a theatre expert, so there could be a very simple answer of which I am unaware.
Leslie and Joel,
I wasn’t expressing an opinion about the show. I was expressing an opinion about the review and how it was poorly written.
The show may be equally terrible, but I’m sick of reading poorly written reviews.
Why are the people so up in arms about the review being unfair the people who haven’t seen the show? It. Was. Wretched. Dolly claims she saw it, but then says that just because someone pushes the “physical presentation might push gender ‘norms’ doesn’t mean [they] secretly (or not-so-secretly) want to be the ‘gender’ [they] express.” The character to whom the reviewer referred is a woman who wants to be a man! It is a huge plot point! Not “ignorance” of the reviewer on how GLBT people dress, etc. So, unless Dolly spaced out after the first 4 minutes (understandably), she didn’t see the show. Ditto to Josh B., who admits that in his 2nd sentence. If you haven’t seen it, how can you hold an opinion?
Two dimensional characters are bad because they are bad acting and lazy writing. Not necessarily because they “offend” a certain group…unless you are referring to a group known as an educated, theatre-going audience.
I meant Jessica. Sorry about that.
The title had nothing to do with how Jennfer reviewed the show Josh B. These comments personally attacking her and assuming that she didn’t pay attention to the show because of the tile. is BS. I was there when Jennifer saw the show and I must tell you that her review was generous. The performance was terrible, the show is badly written, the music is forgettable. t’s the worst musical I have ever seen, and I have seen thousands of musicals. So stop assuming and attacking. It’s a shame that all the time you and the Spermless Babies clan and their friends and families and Dolly spent personally attacking Jennifer- couldn’t have been spent on rewriting some of the awful book or writing a new song. This is getting very old quickly. Read my comment above.
Interesting observation, Josh. I’ve still been thinking about all of this. I don’t know about the reviewers pre-play bias, but I have decided that rather than writing a “homophobic” review, its actually an ignorant review. In the sense that the reviewer has no cultural competency around queer issues. This struck me as I was thinking about the ‘stereotypical’ characters she describes – esp ‘the “butch” partner who secretly wants to be a man’. Just because your physical presentation might push gender ‘norms’ doesn’t mean you secretly (or not-so-secretly) want to be the ‘gender’ you express. Most queers I know dress, act and talk in a particular way in order to be *themselves*, whatever that means for them.
I saw “Gallactica” Tuesday and I enjoyed every minute of it. However, the show may be created and performed by people who may identify as GLB and/or T, but it is not a ‘GLBT production’. It is a cabaret, drag performance featuring pre-recorded music- and I again wonder how it can be compared to the Singing Eggs show? Apples to oranges, it seems to me, but I’m not a reviewer so may be missing something.
And because I know folks can be sensitive about words, let me note that I’m not using the word ‘ignorant’ in a combative, mean way – simply in the most basic form: unaware or uninformed.
I say see ’em both and decide for yourself.
Umm, so I’m not offended by Jesus is a big old Fag. I haven’t seen the show, but I legitimately feel like the reviewer wrote this show off without considering it. The sense I get from the review is that she watched the first 5 minutes, decided she hated it and stopped paying attention.
Or actually, it may be that she wrote it off before then, the way the first line is written with the ellipses implies that the writer is attempting to find a vaguely appropriate/nice way to phrase the obvious distaste she has for the title. Were that not the intent there would be no ellipses. Henceforth she really is judging a book by its cover, and likely does have personal issue with the material, which makes this a very unfair review.
Go to http://cruises.about.com/lr/gay_cruises/20269/1/ and you will see that all the sites that offer Gay Cruises use the capital letters. The things people spend their times on. Sam, worry about more important things.
Why is “Gay Cruise” capitalized in the first sentence of this review? Would “Straight Cruise” be capitalized? Weird.
Oh, and I feel compeeledf to point out the person crying “Bias!” is one who is determined to like a show she HAS NOT EVEN SEEN, based on the fact that it is pro-GLBT. A good message is not the same as good theatre–the two are not synonymous. Trust the reviewer, with her background in theatre and the fact that she actually SAW THE SHOW. Someone else seems too eager to prove how “progressive” she feels, despite being completely uninformed on the content discussed.
I want to show my support for the reviewer expressing her honest (and correct) opinion. The script was bad. The music was worse. I’m not offended by calling Jesus a fag, but I am offended by theatre which thinks that is enough for an entire song, without benefit of any cleverness or wit. I went Saturday, and it seemed 5 people really enjoyed themselves–and 3 people actually left. Not because they were offended, but because they were bored. So different folks enjoy different things, but this reviewer is on target with her assessment of the show.
I think the specific point Tricia was trying to make was a good one: the only people who would be “offended” or “alienated” by the song – which is actually entitled “Big Old Gay” & which cracked me up on Saturday night – would be those who think being gay is a bad thing – or those who don’t understand the subtlety of a gay character reclaiming the word “fag.” (Whether you like the musicality, plot/character development, or performance of the song are entirely different matters.) Successful satire always amuses those who get it & pisses off those who don’t; it’s clear Gingrich-Jones & Shallenberger made their point.
Tricia,
I believe any bias that you may have perceived in the opening lines of Ms. Pearson’s reviews were there solely due to projection–if you want to be offended and take an opposing stance on something, the mind will implement a way to do so.
What exactly is homophobic about pointing out that a show with an evocative title such as “singing eggs and spermless babies” might be a show that is not traditional? There will be singing eggs. And spermless babies. That’s different, from, oh, let’s say a red-headed orphan singing about an optimistic future.
Homophobia and not enjoying bad theater are two different things. Homophobia and having an aesthetic criteria or an artistic opinion are not the same thing. A review is merely an opinion. If anyone has proven to be biased in this discussion, I’m afraid that the spinning bottle lands primarily on you.
I want to apologize for mentioning Ms. Pearson’s educational background my previous comment. Those of you who called me out on that were right to do so and I would like to retract that part of my comment. And of course I absolutely agree that everyone is entitled to express their opinions about a theatrical production – that is, after all, the reviewer’s job. My concern was that some inadvertent anti-gay bias was affecting the reviewer’s perception of the subject matter and characters.
Not sure which performance you went to but there was lots of laughter during the one I was at – and not just coming from me. I don’t go to plays too often but always make it to a handful of Fringe shows. I don’t expect or want broadway-grade performances. If I wanted Broadway I would get on the Megabus – at Fringe I want fun, folly & freshness and if a show is polished and seamless, well good for them.
I saw the preview for ‘Galactica’ at the tent the other week and don’t understand how one can compare a lip-synced cabaret-type performance with a live musical. I’m glad Singing Eggs was in my few Fringe shows this year & hope that folks will look beyond this one negtive review, go see it and judge for themselves.
I was there also at that performance and I didn’t hear many laughs during that performance. In fact, there was mostly silence. I commend the cast for giving it their all, despite the heat and loud noises outside the tent. I am a GBLT member and I find it offensive when someone calls a reviewer homophobic, and attacks their university. Shame on you! The constant moving around of the set killed the momentum that every scene built, and frankly it was annoying as hell. As for “the song”, it did nothing to enhance the story or even help us learn about the character who sang it. In fact, I mentioned to the composer today that I would have liked if he would have written songs for each of the characters as a way of introducing them to us and allowing them to express what they were feeling about their situations. The book was confusing. Yes it was Fringy, but recommend it when there are so many other better shows – plays and musicals – playing in the Fringe? No way! I strongly recommend – as did this reviewer – to see Galactica – a GBLT production – which is the most fun I have had in the Festival (so far). Show some respect for the reviewer and people who disagree with you. So, if one does not like a GBLT production then they must be homophobic? If I – a Gay man- reviewed this show for DCTS, I would not have been so kind. Want to call me a homophobe now too?
I’m a casual theatre-goer so nowhere near an expert, but the play I saw seemed much more in the ‘farce’ category. (or maybe faarce, with two a’s) It was a pretty damn funny one at that.
As for the song in question- I always thought that art was in the eye of the beholder. I’m guessing you were offended by Serrano’s ‘Piss Christ’, too? Not that I wasn’t, but in the theatre I’d would hope that folks who saw the performance (and found it farcical, if that is a word) would take the song for what it is- entertainment.
Gotta add, too, that as a member of the queer community (a recently out transman) I thought the portrayals of some very REAL situations that queer couples face portrayed was refreshing. I don’t need the reviewer to be offended by stereotypical portrayals (as there’s a little truth in every stereotype) on my behalf.
I found the show silly, affirming, ROTFL funny and a great slice of Fringe. Thanks for allowing me the chance to share my thoughts!
Normally I would not comment on something like this but as I read the thread of comments I became rather disappointed and rather infuriated. Personal attacks against a reviewer based on his/her educational background are just as offensive as any perceived bigoted statements allegedly made by the reviewer herself. I have not seen this show – but I did not find this review offensive – and from my understanding a decent amount of people involved in this production are actually affiliated with Catholic University including the playwright and the director. Ms. Pearson is entitled to her opinion – which seemed to take issue with the text, performances, AND technical aspects – as everyone else is entitled to theirs.
FringeFan- Thank you for your comment. Catholic University has a large, thriving gay population, despite it’s name.
The above is- of course- an opinion, and anyone and everyone is free to disagree with that opinion. However, to attack a reviewer by calling them homophobic for disliking a play with GLBT themes is absurd. What to see some great GLBT theater? Check out my review of Special Agent Galactica and Her Boys in Irrelevant Acts of Entertainment– I gave it a ” Pick of Fringe”.
Tricia, perhaps you should have given what you wrote a close read before you pressed send. Bigotry takes on many forms, including bigotry against Catholics. Did you know that Rebecca Gingrich-Jones, the very playwright herself, is a Catholic University graduate student? And that much of the cast and crew, attended that same university? While I am sure they appreciate the support you offer their show, you should also realize that your compliments are somewhat backhanded.
“Hunorous” was, I hope obviously, meant to be “humorous.” I’m lost without spellcheck.
I also completely disagree with this review. I thought the story line was compelling and hunorous, the songs were (for the most part) well-performed, and the cast gave it their all. My only complaint about this show was that it was extremely hard to hear portions of the dialogue due to the venue noise, but that’s more bad luck in their venue placement than anything to do with the show. I’m stunned that anyone was offended by this show.
Although I haven’t yet seen “Singing Eggs,” I am looking forward to it even more after reading this review. The review suggests to me that the musical is so daring in its satire and bold in its treatment of controversial topics that it is polarizing – a hallmark of good theatre. I applaud the playwright, director, actors, designers and crew for being so brave and taking that risk.
I am disappointed that someone with Ms. Pearson’s bias was assigned to review “Singing Eggs.” She revealed her bias in the first sentence of the review: she started judging the show on the name alone. Haven’t we always been admonished to not judge a book by its cover? And I’m not sure why she feels she has the authority to judge for all of us what is offensive and what’s not. As a heterosexual, I admit that I used to be offended by what seemed to be stereotypical portrayals of the GLBTQ community. But since my sister came out of the closet, I’ve learned that my reactions – although well-intentioned – were actually ignorant of gay culture. Sometimes the stereotypes represent the truth. And usually the gay community enjoys celebrating and laughing at those stereotypes. Who am I to say that’s offensive? Actually, I found Ms. Pearson’s review to be vaguely homophobic – might it be because she graduated from Catholic University? – and I call upon D.C. Theatre Scene to send another reviewer to give this show the fair treatment it deserves.
I couldn’t disagree more. I felt like the pace kept me interested through the whole show, the songs were catchy and the references were genuine.
While the show is not for everyone, it is easy for those who do not take themselves too seriously to enjoy.
As for the set changes, the cast did an excellent job keeping the scenes flowing during the shift, without losing the audience.
The characters that Jessica attack above are actually quite enjoyable. They are less stereotypes and more a representation of real dilemmas that queer people have when considering modern idea of gender and sexual identity; this despite what is on the surface a ridiculous plot.
I would recommend this performance, although I would advise to keep children, deeply religious folk and those uneasy discussing queer issues at home.