DEVIL BOYS FROM BEYOND • Stray Dog Theatre

You won’t find any elves or sugary confections in Stray Dog Theatre’s traditionally, non-traditional holiday show. What you will find is Buddy Thomas and Kenneth Elliott’s camp-tacular, 1950’s retro-styled close encounters caper featuring a tightly knit group of actors, sly creative contributions, and a welcomed getaway if you’re already sick of the commercial holiday season. One glance at that artwork over there to the left, and you’ll get what I mean.

It’s 1957, and there’s some weird stuff going on in Lizard Lick, Florida. Florence Wexler fills us in on all of the details at the start -- about how her husband disappeared after colorful lights appeared in the sky, and an unidentified flying object crashed into the shed. Florence is played splendidly by Michael Juncal, who's great in drag, and sports one of the most delicious Southern drawls I’ve ever heard. This incident has gotten the attention of some New York City newspaper slickers.

Matilda Van Buren (Sarajane Alverson),

Gregory Graham (Stephen Peirick)

and Lucinda Marsh (Michael Baird).

Photo credit: John Lamb

The “New York Bugle” editor, Gilbert Wiatt (Jonathan Hey), photographer Gregory Graham, an unsuccessfully recovering alcoholic, (Stephen Peirick), and his ex-wife, the fast-talking, underpaid, award winning reporter, Matilda Van Buren (Sarajane Alverson), have all heard this tale before, but after acquiring some physical evidence, they decide to head back to the sticks hoping for a big story to keep The Bugle’s subscriptions alive. Then we have Lucinda Marsh (wonderfully played by Michael Baird.) She’s a rival reporter who wrecked the marriage of Matilda and Gregory. While hoping to get a scoop on the story herself, she’s also hoping to worm her way back into the arms of Gregory. Matilda, Gregory and Lucinda spend their time in Lizard Lick at the motor-lodge that Dotty (Teryl Thurman) owns. She’s exceptionally lustful, and she and Florence seem to have had their husbands replaced with strapping substitutes, Harry Wexler (Ryan Wiechmann) and Sheriff Jack Primrose (Brandon Brendel.)

Matilda Van Buren (Sarajane Alverson),

Florence Wexler (Michael Juncal)

and Harry Wexler (Ryan Wiechmann).

Photo credit: John Lamb

Director Gary F. Bell plumbs all of the tomfoolery that is to be had in the play, and the actors seem to be having a great deal of fun. Hey as the hardened newspaper editor makes a great counter to his more emotional staff -- Peirick’s cowed Gregory, and Alverson’s steel spun reporter, Matilda. With melodramatic flourishes and style, Baird is fantastic as Lucinda Marsh, and Juncal gives an authentically trashy performance as Florence. Thurman adds a quiet hilarity to Dotty Primrose, as she hunches on Gregory at their first meeting, and Wiechmann and Brendel’s hunky Plutopians are well played.

Tyler Duenow’s lights give a nod to the alien aspects of the show, Justin Been’s sound, particularly the added embellishments to Drew Fornarola and John Fontien’s sound design, is spot-on, and Been’s scenic design gives us a perfect postcard backdrop. Eileen Engel’s costumes and Priscilla Case’s wig design round out the creative elements.

Matilda Van Buren (Sarajane Alverson),

Gilbert Wiatt (Jonathan Hey), Florence Wexler (Michael Juncal)

and Dotty Primrose (Teryl Thurman).

Photo credit: John Lamb

For a fun, riotous night at the theatre where 1950s sci-fi B-movie spoofs are the rule of the day, check out “Devil Boys from Beyond” at Tower Grove Abbey -- just leave the kids at home for this one.

DEVIL BOYS FROM BEYOND

Written by Buddy Thomas, Kenneth Elliott

Original Score and Sound Design by Drew Fornarola

Directed by Gary F. Bell 

Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee Ave.

through December 19 | tickets: $20 - $25

Performances Thursdays to Saturdays at 8pm, Saturday, December 19 at 2pm

Cast

Florence Wexler: Michael Juncal
Gilbert Wiatt: Jonathan Hey
Gregory Graham: Stephen Peirick
Matilda Van Buren: Sarajane Alverson
Lucinda Marsh: Michael Baird
Dotty Primrose: Teryl Thurman
Harry Wexler: Ryan Wiechmann
Sheriff Jack Primrose: Brandon Brendel

Creative

Artistic Director: Gary F. Bell

Costume Designer: Eileen Engel

Lighting Designer: Tyler Duenow

Production Manager: Jay V. Hall

Property Designer: Jay V. Hall

Scenic Artist: Gary Karasek

Scenic Carpentry: Richard Brown, Doug Burge, Kathleen Dwyer, Corey Fraine, Melanie Kozak, Paul Troyke, Kate Wilkerson

Scenic Designer: Justin Been

Sound and Light Board Operator: Justin Been

Sound Designer and Original Song: Drew Fornarola

Sound Designer: John Fontien

Sound Design Additions: Justin Been

Stage Manager: Justin Been

Wardrobe Assistant: Jay V. Hall

Wig Stylist: Priscilla Case