Take your protein pills and put your helmet on! This may be your only chance to see a Fringe production transmitted via Bio-Hologram, and definitely the only Fringe show featuring a member of the new wave band, The B-52’s. A Romp Around Uranus with Special Agent Galactica is an intergalactic cabaret, concocted by the incomparably zany Jeffrey Johnson.
This show is not for everyone, but those who appreciate old-school one-person cabaret and witty drag performances will be very pleased. It can sometimes be dicey to attend a solo performance at the Fringe festival, but there are no worries in Uranus.
The lights go up and the audience discovers that they have been transported onto the timeship Aurora, broadcasting live from the Otis Major Universe. Special Agent Galactica and Captain Satellite have been sent on a mission, via The Agency, to provide earth with some much-needed musical (and possibly, sexual) healing. The good ship Aurora (voiced by Fred Schneider of the B-52’s) has some witty comebacks and shady commentary for Special Agent Galactica as she saunters her way through this entertaining performance.
Along with several well-mixed backing tracks, Captain Satellite plays guitar while Special Agent Galactica tells tales of intergalactic adventure and seduces the audience with her hilariously clever renditions of pop songs, old standards and eccentric originals.
Jeffrey Johnson has the calm confidence of a seasoned performer; excellent at reading the audience, with a great knack for storytelling. Special Agent Galactica is a stunning character, entering the stage in a voluptuous pink wig, lots of body glitter and a gleaming white catsuit that will completely confuse those who have never heard of tucking.
A Romp Around Uranus with Special Agent Galactica
Performed by Jeffrey Johnson with Peter Fields
Details and tickets
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Throughout the performance, the cool and collected Peter Fields (as Captain Satellite) provides outstanding riffs on classical guitar. Johnson’s original melodies will make you laugh if you know anything about James Bond, Monty Python or Tom Jones; his lyrics will make you laugh even if you are a pop culture philistine.
The show has a somewhat slow start, and though endlessly entertaining, goes on just a tad too long. However, Johnson, Fields and Schneider are adept performers and their brand of humor is something that a lot of folks will appreciate, but it isn’t like much of the festival. This is a very fringeworthy show; it’s absurd, but it knows what it’s doing.
Do not attend this show if you do not like drag. Do not attend this show if you’re offended by potty humor. Do attend if you are a pop culture fiend. Do attend if you love a good vocal performance and creative song covers.
During A Romp Around Uranus, you will be treated to an oustanding Spanish guitar solo and references to the following: unspeakable sex jokes, Billy Idol, the Bible, Edith Piaf, Davy Crockett, Ziggy Stardust, Groucho Marx, Beyonce, the Multiverse, scat singing and more!
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A Romp Around Uranus with Special Agent Galactica Composer, Director and Chief Creative Mind: Jeffrey Johnson. Featuring: Jeffrey Johnson, Peter Fields and Fred Schneider. Stage Manager: Megan Henderson. Light Design: Marianne Meadows. Sound Design: Jordana Abrencia. Costumes: Dennis Kitmore, Alison Johnson. Running Time: 95 minutes. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Reviewed by K. McDermott.
How many times do I have to tell you. You’re not going to romp around my anus!