As the saying goes, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. In equal parts sassy and sour, four bold women proved this adage true, crooning their hearts out and chastising ex-lovers in the entrancing, expletive-laced Cabaret XXX: Les Femmes Fatales. Whether you want to rock like a Riot Grrrl or need some laugh therapy, these girls are here for you.
Stilettos, fishnets, condoms and temporary tattoos might not come to mind at the same time as “theatre festival,” but Pinky Swear Productions aims to smash those expectations with their no-fuss, all-fun cabaret.
The brash ladies of the cast start this wild adventure before the show even begins, nonchalantly winding their way through the audience, mingling. Before long, though, the talk turns to all the scummy exes in the world. The femme fatales are daring, shouting, “Everyone say it with me: What. The. Fuck,” and “What’s wrong with being a slut?”
But though their sharp comments were amusing, it’s the songs they bring that make this show more than worth seeing. To put it bluntly, these girls can SING. Karen Lange stole the show with her fantastic belt, with a lilting, strong soprano with an indie feel. Her velvety vocals were tamed by her clever remarks, and her off-the-cuff comedy earned plenty of laughs.
Lange was equaled by dramatic diva Allyson Harkey, whose kickass anger was on full display in her soulful numbers. Rounding out the team was energetic Toni Rae Brotons and the commanding presence of Kate Debelack. As an ensemble, this quartet was solid. Even their slip-ups were covered by their cool confidence and sky-high energy. Onstage, the women have an unabashed charm about them.
And combined with the bluesy tones of the band, this performance treat would be the perfect way to celebrate a casual night out. But leave your insecurities — and your straitlaced grandma — at the door, because frankly, my dear, the ladies of Cabaret XXX don’t give a damn.
You have 3 more chances to catch Cabaret XXX at Fort Fringe, 607 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC.
Tickets
Julia rates this a 4 out of a possible 5.
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This show rocked – I just want to add that I thought the band was really terrific, I could tell they were high level musicians, swapping instruments all the time and doing a great job at each.
Really great show, awesome energy and flair.