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A touch of electrical sparks added even more flair to the Unicorn Theatre’s presentation Friday night of A Very Joan Crawford Christmas.  Starring Ron Megee in the lead role, he and director Jeff Church developed and co-wrote this homage to the beloved diva.  They drew heavily from Crawford’s autobiography/self-help book, My Way of Life, at times quoting passages verbatim.  This combination of narration and instruction wore thin at times, but Megee’s manic performance and well-honed comic timing carried through.

The script emphasized the darker elements of Crawford’s history and while it’s funny, the dense emotional material lent itself to the over-the-top campiness with a touch of macabre.  Megee’s grotesque expressions parodied the dramatic life and persona of the Oscar winner.  His physical comedic ability was shattering and his commitment to the gag almost frightening, especially during Crawford’s tantrum brought on by wire hangers and during the second act, as Crawford was confined to a wheelchair and restricted to the small space of bedroom area. 

Jessica Dressler played Crawford’s long suffering maid-of-all-work, Mamacita.  She utilized exaggerated facial expressions, awkward movement, and a splotchy German accent in the same campy vein, creating a hilarious character.  Dressler also took a spin as Bette Davis, Crawford’s legendary real-life rival.  Her Davis-as-Baby-Jane was terrifying and elicited true creepiness, though the evil laughter was a little too “Wicked Witch of the West.” 

Jeff Davis played a handsome, but simple chauffer Carl, enamored with his association with a great movie star.  Though he didn’t have the same comic maturity that both Megee and Dressler brought to the performance, he presented a more realistic character that grounded the otherwise exaggerated story.

Rounding out the cast was Dorian Gray Adams-Megee in his Unicorn debut.  As Princess Lotus Blossom, he stole the show in his brief scene with instinctual talent, playing a passive foil to the amplified Crawford.

 The design of the show was spectacular.  The scenic design by Evan Hill and props by Gary Campbell created an elegant, modish apartment with an aura of spaciousness.  A huge portrait of Crawford overshadowed the space and also drew attention to the record player and stocked bar.  Ornaments and mementos from Crawford’s exotic travels peppered the space.  The sound design by David Kiehl was cohesive and integral, adding layers that heightened both the comedy and the drama, especially in act two.  Jon Fulton Adams fashioned a wardrobe that was sophisticated and humorous; Megee’s final look brought down the house. 

The conclusion was a slightly disappointing easy-out for a show that takes such a dramatic turn in act two, pulling it back to a flimsy “reality.”   The mix of Crawford’s and Megee’s hallucinations were somewhat unnecessary, though finishing with the dance number was a welcome final taste of the camp that was ubiquitous to the production. 

A Very Joan Crawford Christmas was dually hilarious and terrifying.  Megee completely sold as the often maligned Crawford, creating a frightening, though ever-so-slightly empathetic figure.  Dressler matched his strength of performance, especially as Davis as the maniacal tormenter, reprising the Baby Jane role.  Though not exactly cheery, this campy seasonal show has a lot of laughs and was an inspired concept from director Jeff Church and star Ron Megee. 

REVIEW:
Unicorn Theatre
A Very Joan Crawford Christmas
Runs through January 2; Reviewed Friday, December 17, 2010 at 8 PM
Unicorn Theatre
3828 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-531-PLAY or visit www.UnicornTheatre.org

Top photo by Cynthia Levin.

By Libby Hanssen

Traditional and New Classical, Theatre Contributor

Libby Hanssen holds degrees from University of Missouri-Kansas City (M.M.) and Ball State University (B.M.) in trombone performance and also studied music education at Indiana University. She has studied trombone with Carl Lenthe, JoDee Davis, John Seidel, John Huntoon and Denis Wick, and music education with Brent Gault, Estelle Jorgensen and Katherine Strand.

While at IU, she taught classes in general music, focusing on listening skills and music fundamentals through practical music usage and exploring new sound constructions. During the course of her studies at UMKC, she performed with many ensembles, including the Conservatory Orchestra and Musica Nova. She has also performed with the Kansas City Puccini Festival, the People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City, the New Jazz Order, the Indiana Wind Symphony and the Muncie Symphony Orchestra.

In 2010, she was a fellow (one of 23 journalists selected from across the US) for the seventh annual National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera at Columbia University’s Journalism School in New York City.

Most of her free time is spent with her three boys (son, dog and husband) and camera, exploring the many fine aspects of Kansas City living. She enjoys listening to KKFI - Kansas City Community Radio and KCUR - Kansas City's NPR station, visiting Kansas City's fine collection of museums and galleries, and scavenging in thrift and antique stores to add to her collection of toy instruments.

She writes for the joy of words and the process of constructing a story, maintaining the blog Proust Eats a Sandwich (www.prousteatsasandwich.wordpress.com). She is working on her first book: Murray Goes to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.