The Fabulous Lipitones goes beyond lip service
The Fabulous Lipitones, about an all male barbershop singing group who loses a member and must find a replacement by the championship competition, appears to be a simple satire about men that sing. But don’t be fooled by the goofy, yet classic, images and easy to poke fun at characters and plot line. The substance behind each gives this musical comedy hard to listen to moments, personalities and views that shine a mirror on an image we would rather ignore, and tear jerking scenes and themes. Theatrical Outfit, with the help of director director dynamo Justin Anderson, has done it again.
Four friends with one thing in common, singing a cappella in an old school fashion, lose their alto during a pivotal competition. They won, but to be able to move on to the championship their now trio must become a quartette again. On the brink of breaking up and throwing in that barbershop towel, they meet Bob, a possible replacement. His voice is not the issue when it comes to taking him on, his appearance is, as well as the connotations and prejudices that it brings.
The big themes throughout that make this play bigger and more impactful than its surface story line are loss and what Bob brings into light: race and discrimination. The cast takes on some tough material with not a bit of fear or hesitation. Tom Key as Howard, the doting husband to a woman who wronged him and constant fodder for “where’s your balls?” jokes, is the voice of fairness, kindness and shines a positive light while putting up with a lot of crap. Glenn Rainey as Wally, the woman hungry pharmacist who can’t quite get the hang of technology but keeps on trying, is the passive player more in tune with his own objectives than that of others. William S. Murphy as Phil, has the brashest role of all. He plays the has been gym owner still thinking that he is in his hey-day, and this self perceived power adds bravado to his racial slurs and small-minded views on the world. What these men share is not unlike what many Americans still hold onto. With the introduction of Bob, played by superbly talented Daniel Hilton, the foreigner in a turban with seemingly strange habits and an even mind to the evil shot at him daily, the group and play is catapulted into a not so harmonious string of events that shine the spotlight on the many flaws of these characters.
Though wrapped up with a happy ending, this production is not left without the complications that these major changes provoke. Racism and preconceived judgements run deep and it is clear that these friends have a lot to concur before all is well. Mark St. Germain and John Markus have written a production that is funny, brave, and filled with timeless as well as timely issues.
The Fabulous Lipitones at Theatrical Outfit is running till April 21. For show times and tickets, visit theatricaloutfit.org.
