Review: “Psycho Beach Party,” Ocean Beach Playhouse, Sept. 12-14
By Beth Accomando / KPBS / Sept 10, 2014
What better way to escape the summer heat than with some local theater productions that might be flying under the radar.
First off, hit the beach with the newly formed Ocean Beach Ensemble Experiment. The Ensemble describes itself as “a collaborative theatre experiment that encourages the development of provocative, innovative, and unusual theatrical works. Like Ocean Beach itself, our Ensemble embraces a playful and off-kilter celebration of the funky, the bizarre, and the unique, utilizing performance, music, art, and dance.
Through new interpretations of extant works, showcasing new material, and embracing contemporary avant-garde material, we hope to provide San Diego with an unforgettable and rewarding theatre-going experience.”
The Ensemble’s second effort is Charles Busch’s “Psycho Beach Party” playing Sept. 12-14 at the Ocean Beach Playhouse. The play focuses on Chicklet, a teenage tomboy who desperately wants to be part of the male-dominated surf crowd on Malibu Beach in 1962.
Busch’s kitschy play blends the Frankie and Annette beach party flicks of the 1960s with Hitchcockian psychological suspense thrillers. The result in the hands of the OB Ensemble is high camp, low comedy and lots of fun. The play is directed by A.J. Knox and Jenny Gardham with lively energy and has a wildly talented Trevor Peringer as Chicklet.
After the show Peringer came out to ask for donations. He said the ensemble put the show on for $400, “imagine what we could do with $500.” Well, I threw money in the hat because I want to see what they can do. Next up is a Halloween show that’s still in the works.
{ 0 comments… add one now }