Mr. F. Reviews: Triassic Parq

Hold on to your seats - it's going to be a bumpy ride through one of Off-Broadway's funniest musicals - Triassic Parq!  Imagine, if you will, an amusement park where scientists have used dino-DNA (found in a mosquito) and spliced it with frog-DNA to create Dinosaurs!  I know - crazy right?  This is the premise for both this musical and the maga-movie/book that it pokes fun at - Jurassic Park.  Just like the movies, the Dino's are all female but their frog-DNA allows them to change genders and some of the gals become dudes.  This musical by Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz and Steven Wargo plays the whole scenario out on-stage with a terrifically talented group of young actors playing the said dinosaurs, well, except for our narrator the whitest Morgan Freeman you have ever seen. (I guess the only white Morgan Freemen - you get the picture!)

     From the second you walk into the Soho Playhouse (15 Vandam St) you feel like dinosaurs surround you.  The sounds, the ambiance, or even the older folks at the early afternoon performance take you back to the Triassic period.  A bug roar to the set designer!
     The cast is led by the unbelievably talented Alex Wyse.  I got to know Alex when he was in Lysistrata Jones both Off & On Broadway.  While I realized he had talent then - I had no idea what was packed inside!  This show allows Alex to be exactly what he is - a fantastic actor and remarkable singer!  Some of the other members of the talented cast are Clair Neumann, who is a force to be reckoned with, Wade McCollum whose charisma is almost more than I can take, and another Athens University Alum* - Lindsay Nicole Chambers whose comedic timing and facial expressions make you want to take her home just to sit and chat (and laugh) for hours!

     The music (by Marshall Pailet) can leave something to be desired.  That's not to say the music isn't good, it's just not the highlight of the show.  My only major criticism of show is the sound design.  A good friend of mine, Scott, is usually over critical of this type of thing (as he should be since he is a talented musician) but I have to agree.  Sitting 3 rows away from the stage, I found it difficult at times to hear the actors over the amplified keyboard and percussion.

Quick Notes:

• Who Should See It? Since this show features some inappropriate language I would recommend it for ages 15+.  If you're a Jurassic Park fan - you definitely need to see it!
• Best part of the show? The cast!
• Actor/Actress?  Alex Wyse - you'll love everything about him!
• Best Song? "It’s a Beautiful Day to be a Woman"

Report Card
Cast: A+
Set Design: A
Lighting: A
Music (songs): B+
Orchestra: A
Direction: A
Choreography: A

*referring to Athens University - the fictional university which is the setting for the musical Lysistrata Jones.