Theatrius
  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us
  • Search Icon

Theatrius

Theater Reviews—San Francisco and Beyond

“This Side of Crazy”—A Masterpiece of Southern Belle Comedy, at NCTC, S.F.

“This Side of Crazy”—A Masterpiece of Southern Belle Comedy, at NCTC, S.F.

October 9, 2019 Evelyn Arevalo

Millennial Notes

Del Shores Fashions Fabulous Fantasies of Mom & Singing Sisters

by Evelyn Arevalo

Domineering mother Ditty Blaylock (vibrant Christine Macomber) has been offered the opportunity of a lifetime. She will be honored on television for 50 years of Gospel song writing. There’s just one catch, her three daughters–The Blaylock Sisters–must reunite in old age to sing their famous hits. But, by now they hate each other, and have not talked in decades!

After Ditty glibly volunteers her three daughters, we find out they cannot stand to be in the same room together.

Cheryl Smith, Amy Meyers, Christine Macomber, Alison Whismore. Photos by Lois Tema

The world premiere of “This Side of Crazy,” written and directed by Del Shores, takes us into a fantastical, imaginative world.  Born from a YouTube wormhole, Shores was inspired by a video of the Grammy winning singers, The Peasall Sisters.  Shores has written a truly remarkable  comedy  for churchgoers and the God-Forsaken, alike.

The eldest daughter, stern Rachel (versatile Cheryl Smith), runs a Christian Vlog, and still has “carnal” relations with her comatose husband. Middle daughter, eccentric Abigail (haunting  Alison Whismore) spent 25 years in the looney bin–after she put Rachel’s husband into a vegetative  state. Baby sister, chill Bethany (charming Amy Meyers), named after a Biblical town, works as an atheist stripper. Bethany also happens to be a closeted lesbian.

Christine Macomber, Alison Whismore, Cheryl Smith. Photos by Lois Tema

In this outrageous family group, Ditty stands out like a shining star. Her colorful outfits capture our attention as she dons flowing blue, green, and orange silk dresses. Ditty Blaylock possesses all the traits you do NOT want in a Mom:  She’s self-centered, egotistical and manipulative. For lack of a better word: Narcissistic.

Ditty runs the house like a typical overbearing mommy manager–much like Kris Jenner, the mom behind the Kardashian empire. Yet, it’s difficult not to find Ditty Blaylock endearing  when she proclaims, “I’m not racist, I’m from the South.” Ditty is the reincarnation of all things ridiculous, lively, and hard-headed.

Del Shores entices us with humor that borders on crass, using shock to astound us. In a voyersitic opening scene, we watch Rachel having loud sex with her “vegatative” husband. Afterwards, she calmily readjusts his IV-bags and tucks him in, giving his stiff body a quick peck on the lips. It’s cringeworthy, yes—but we cannot look away or stop laughing!

Christine Macomber, Cheryl Smith, Amy Meyers, Alison Whismore

After 25 years of total alienation, The Blaylock Sisters have many choice words for each other. Each sister copes with her current predicament in dramatic ways.Rachel takes to biblical verses and vlogging, Abigail chain-smokes years off her life, and  takes  pills to control her anger. Bethany just jogs endless circles around the neighborhood.

In many ways, all three women are trying to escape—their mom, their childhood, their fame. As Bethany mentions, “Sometimes I wonder what I am running from.”

We realize that they are running from the looming shadow of Momma Ditty’s expectations. So, join in the wild fun—it’s just “this side of crazy,” with wonderful comic performances at NCTC.

Christine Macomber, Cheryl Smith, Amy Meyers

“This Side Of Crazy”—written &  directed by Del Shores, at New Conservatory Theatre Center, through Sunday October 20, 2019. Info: nctcsf.org

Cast: Christine Macomber, Amy Meyer Cheryl Smith, and Alison Whismore.

Banner photo: Amy Meyers, Cheryl Smith, Alison Whismore, Christine Macomber.


Millennial Notes, Plays
Capitalism, comedy, exploitation, Family, Identity, love, music, religion, Satire, social class, Women's Rights

Post navigation

NEXT
“Free for All” Unleashes a Comic “Miss Julie” on Nob Hill, at Cutting Ball, S.F.
PREVIOUS
“Mark Twain’s River of Song” Sails into Our Hearts, at TheatreWorks, Mtn. View
Comments are closed.

Menu

  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us

BLM

Black Lives Matter

Subscribe for upcoming reviews!
Loading

Current Shows

  • “Dry Powder” Spotlights Wall Street Power-Brokers—at Left Edge
  • “Pride and Prejudice, The Musical” Enchants with Sass & Satire—at Ross Valley
  • “Clue” Melds Mystery & Comedy into Entertaining Adventure—at SF Playhouse
  • “Donna”: Intimate Interviews Celebrate Trans Triumphs—On Screen
  • “Fannie”: Sixties Spirituals Pave Path to Freedom—at TheatreWorks
  • “’Tasha” Tackles Raw Racism—at 3Girls
  • “Tea Party” Brews Up a Cup of America—at The Strand
  • “A Raisin in the Sun” Explodes with Drama and Power—at 6th Street
  • “Cambodian Rock Band” Deserves Its Standing Ovation—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Cambodian Rock Band” Mixes Nostalgic Hits with Terror—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Fun Home” Seduces with Strong Songs & Sultry Sass—at Berkeley Playhouse
  • “Anything Goes”: It’s Delightful, It’s Delicious, It’s De-lovely—at 42nd Street Moon
  • “SIX, The Musical” Celebrates Women’s Freedom & Individuality—at BroadwaySF
  • “Fun Home” Bursts with Love & Feeling—at Berkeley Playhouse
  • “Dear San Francisco” Wows with Kaleidoscopic Acrobatics—at Club Fugazi

About us:

If you want to see the best plays & performances around the San Francisco Bay or beyond, read our reviews. We promise to give you a true report on the best shows.
Bay Area Critics Circle

Barry David Horwitz, Editor of Theatrius, is a Voting Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle, SFBATCC. Follow us on: facebook.com

© 2023   All Rights Reserved.