schedule
Epic Arts Repertory Theater
Best Little Crackhouse in Philly (...or Crackwhore: The Musical!)
Thu., Jul. 30 @ 10:00 p.m.
Fri., Jul. 31 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 1 @ 5:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 8:30 p.m.
[S] Thu., Aug. 6 @ 8:30 p.m.
KEY:
[S]=ASL interpreted
[A]=Audio described
Warning! Violence, Adult language
Venue Southern Theater
For ages 16+
Created by Stan Peal
From Lanesboro, MN
Web site http://www.stanpeal.com
genres Musical theater, Satire
subjects Family, Political
features Regional (MSP) premiere, Original script/choreography, Original music, First-time Minnesota Fringe Festival producer
Overall rating
User reviews
Just say no
by Jack Eberts Follow this reviewer
Rating 1 kitty
This is so 1990s. Crack is predominantly a black thang and yet they couldn't find even ONE black actor. The whole thing was embarrassing to watch. Yeah, no one's thought of juxtaposing high art and low culture before. Good job discovering that. It might have been mildly interesting if they'd done it around meth at least.
Still Humming the tunes...
by Duane Atter Jr Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I love this show and was surprised to see all the negative comments. This show had music, drama, and comedy, and a message. While it may not be your grandma's kind of play, although I did see some grandparents in the audience that seemed to like it, sometimes the best things don't come in the prettiest packages and I am cherishing this one. *Five Kitties*
give me a hit....
by michael freiert Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
an outstanding production of a delightful musical.
a loosely moralizing tale of crackwhores with outstanding talent and production values. the script however is (like many musicals) a bit obvious, and there isn't a hook song in the piece to hum afterwards.
well worth the money if only for the solo dance piece and the absurdity of the perversions involved.
What's not to like?
by Mark Webb Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Welcome back, Stan! This "perfect for the Fringe" show had me laughing through the entire performance. A very talented cast obviously had a great time putting this together (I can only imagine what the rehearsals must have been like). As for being offensive... bring it on! Very well done.
Too crude for prudes
by Johanna Lewis Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
And apparently I'm a touch more prudish than I thought I was. Offensive content aside, the message was clear, consistent and true and I give it a solid 4 kitties for strong and absolutely committed performances from everyone, good songs and singing, and a really fabulous drug-induced dance sequence. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.
Well Done!
by Julie Johnson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is the first show I have seen at Fringe this year and I am happy to say it is a great way to start out! Very funny, very offensive and very honest. I myself am not a crackwhore so cannot speak from experience, but I am pretty sure the message is spot on. The "the more you know" bits cracked me up. Well done to Stan Peal and his cast and crew. Can I say, surprisingly tasteful?
Loved the message
by Sarah Holmberg Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Really, there's a very good point being made at the heart of the show. It's not necessarily explored very deeply, but the show does what it sets out to do.
Some really great performances all around. I'd imagine that this is some hard material to commit to, but they all did beautifully. And so much of this is only bearable because they are working together and supporting each other through some awful situations.
Not a full five kitty show, mainly because I wish they had just figured out something else for the tap number. The rest of the dancing was great, and maybe one or two could really tap, but when you put those who can't tap in with those who can, it just doesn't work. Minor complaint, overall.
Only one more chance to see the show. If you can stomach the subject matter, worth your time.
Dead Baby Jokes vs. Dead Babies
by Brian Watson-Jones Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Okay, here's your litmus test:
How do you make a dead baby float?
Two scoops of ice cream and one scoop of dead baby.
If that's funny, go see this show. If you're horrified at the idea of someone using an ice cream scoop on the corpse of a child, it's a joke. Don't go see this show. Know well that neither I, any member of the cast and crew of this show, nor any audience member who enjoys it, would ever kill a child or allow the corpse of a child to be mutilated. But we know a good joke, dammit.
If you want to see a show that examines the social ramifications of crack usage, or the deep psychological effects of selling your body, there are many quality shows and movies that do so. This ain't one of 'em. And misreading the show description won't change that.
Heh. Boner.
What were you expecting?!?!
by Trevor Alridge Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
What is it about this show that draws innocent, church going, "I knew someone that died from crack" people into the seats?!?! This is a horribly offensive show, what didn't you get from the disgustingly drawn postcard?
This is one of the few Fringe Festival shows I had time to see with my work schedule. And, I am more than happy that I attended. Every one of the performers threw their hearts into the audience and sold us something that I myself would never be able to commit to.
*Madison Olimb and Liz Hutchens are the vocal powerhouses of the group, but need to be dirtier! Their characters physically and mentally seemed a bit too clean for this setting. Oh wait, this is a musical.
*Rebecca Gebhart was a bit quite at times during dialogue, but dances ridiculously well and commits to the grossness that is this show.
*Mike Davidovich brings 3 very different characters to the stage being "The Visitors." Great voice and utilization of deadpan humor.
*John T. Zeiler's character, Pus Bucket, is gross and by the end you want him to be mauled to death by a pack of coyotes. The big surprise was that someone so gross could have an amazing voice and actually dance.
*Last, but not least, is Scot Moore's more realistic character, Lefty. This is a man that will forever be screwed up by the less than happy toxins flowing through his body. This is a character I would like to have seen more of.
The story itself is something I could have easily done without, and I still knew what I was getting myself into. However, the shear state of amazement that the cast left me in makes me believe that the whole production deserves five kitties. I am going to go take a very long shower now.
A very personal and biased review
by Max Delphin Follow this reviewer
Rating 0 kitties
Ditto all the praise for actors talents. And yes I understood that this show would be "offensive." But I didn't realize it would be blatantly degrading to a few with no attempt at examining the social implications (I know, I should have known with the humorous whore reference, perhaps I wanted to be offended or I gave them slight benefit of doubt). To me this is a show where the playwright and actors take a "wacky" theme that they have no personal experience with and make it yes, funny, but also incredibly degrading to those that actually deal with these situations. As a former sex worker and addict I found nothing humorous about crackbabies, pulling tricks, and crack houses. Perhaps if the show was going to work with these themes and accurately depict them with humor but at the same time discuss their the social reasons and realities behind them, fine. But their was no real discussion of privilege, race issues, gender issues, or any other issues surround these things. Its just fun to make fun of those who deal with this day in day out. Kudos to your abilities, well done for making me feel like a total piece of crap for the things I've dealt with in my life.
Surprise!
by Joshua Humphrey Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I didn't know what to expect going into this, but I had a splendid time none-the-less. I went randomly by following the hunch of another fringer and it paid off in spades.
There's little about the show that I didn't like and wouldn't mind seeing an expanded version. The only weak portion as far as I could see was one or two voices were weaker, but altogether the show was a great time.
Well. Dead babies aside...
by Ruth Virkus Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
If you leave your sense of human decency at the door, you'll love this show! The performances are great, and the g*dd**n music is catchy (I've got the dead crackbaby song stuck in my head.) Just don't bother going if: you've recently adopted a crackbaby, you *were* a crackbaby, or if you have a weak stomach. They warn you it's offensive: take them seriously!
I did really appreciate the sordid and disgusting details, actually- this show makes sure it doesn't romanticize crackwhores!
Ha! The Fringiest!
by Mark Long Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This would have been a Five Kitty if it was about Meth and the men spoke/sang louder.
OH NO! You were offended at Fringe show? I'm sorry.
DID YOU READ THE TITLE?!?!
You didn't learn anything about addiction?
YOU REALIZE YOU ARE SEEING A FRINGE SHOW RIGHT?!?!
Support this show, and let's keep pushing the envelope.
not all annoying
by Crummy Reviewer Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Don't expect a sensitive or accurate portrayal of the subject matter, please. This shows plays it's offensive content full tilt, and just when I was completely annoyed and not sure if it could be funny anymore, they actually found a plot that had enough tension to keep me awake (very admirable switch-up.... honestly how many foul mouth dance numbers did they need before they moved onto something else?). My heart was actually with the story and the characters by the end (I'm an easy sell for buddy movies). And they women were all great!
My favorite show at the Fringe (so far)
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Okay, I can well understand why some don't like this show: It's offensive, perverted and disgusting, showing the downside of laissez faire capitalism. But the grime and the crime are all used to great effect. The marvelous singing and dancing are a bouncy counterpoint to the wretchedness of their lives. The plot spares no one. Heck, the necrophiliac is the closest thing to a hero. And the ending is just perfect. I was deeply affected. Some rough edges don't take away much: Out of 17 fringes I've seen so far, this is the only true Five Kitty show. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.
Longer reviews with pictures at Baron Dave's LiveJournal and snarky comments on Facebook.
like nothing you know.
by Amber Bjork Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
wow!! theatre generally works because it speaks to us and our backlog of experiences. chances are, you, as a minnesota theatre patron, have nothing in common with the characters, situations, or morals displayed here. now that you know that, leave your conservative values at the door, sit back, and let the cracktastic times roll!!
the script is good fun and the lyrics well spun. i have to give most of the applause to the actors who are talented dancers and have amazing voices. but that would be nothing nothing nothing if it were not for their total commitment to this subject matter. excellent job, ladies and gents.
one caveat: sit close. there are one or two actors that have lovely voices but weak lung power and it was hard to hear their singing over the tech.
Very Entertaining!
by Liz Floyd Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I read the reviews before going. I actually appreciate what the 0 kitties had to say so that I was prepared. With those warnings in mind I enjoyed it all.
Oh come on!
by Anne Bushnell Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
I would like to give kitties to the performers, especially the talented ballet dancer and the beautiful, strong singing of the other two lead women. The show itself wore thin - the whole breaking into happy little tunes about repulsive gritty stuff was funny the first couple of times, but I was hoping for something less sickening.
Tasteless! Crass! Fun!
by je jo Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Great cast, the women in particular had great pipes. The worst bad musical I've seen in . . . ever. Thoroughly enjoyed it (tho, it is clearly not for everyone).
Wow, what an unfunny piece of crap!
by MN Wacks Follow this reviewer
Rating 0 kitties
Nothing clever or original here. Gee, addiction sucks but even addicts have redeeming qualities. Wow. And it takes a bunch of white happy kids with nice teeth to bring that to us. This is what sometimes gives the Fringe a bad name -- garbage like this. Save yourself and skip this.
Not For everyone
by J Emily Peabody Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is a very talented cast. Im scoring them high, because they deserve a higher average than they currently have. Audiences, however, should be cautioned. This show is not for everyone. Some of the humor was too dark and too gross for me. I appreciated that they explained why they had made those choices. It's a dark time we live in.
OFFENDED!!!!!!
by Bam Spastic Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I am completely offended. I cannot believe this playwright thought it was OK to make fun of musicals. The nerve! The crack whores were a nice touch though.
Dead Babies and Dildos
by Kelly Brogan Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Sure, this could be considered predictably offensive, but it was a sound performance and the cast had solid chemistry. The entire show was carried out quite well. Fantastic!
I particularly loved the public service announcements sprinkled throughout.
Maybe a little overdone
by Lee Gehrke Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Absolutely and completely tasteless, obnoxious and offensive -- as intended -- to the point, I think, where sometimes the audience didn't quite know how to react. The production was a little uneven, but the songs were fairly clever and the voices were strong. I think the message was overplayed. A dark, powerfully-written, psychologically-brutal drama would have made the point more effectively.
What flavor is your humore?
by Ariel Pinkerton Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
In order to love crackwhore I think you must have one of 3 kinds of humor: total ignorance, depraved funny bone, or experience with drug users. Having 2 out of three I laughed a lot. Like most musicals it's strong for the first half, a little slow and then ends well. And thank god, it ain't pretty woman.
Bound to offend everyone
by Nanette Stearns Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Incredibly offensive but highly entertaining, well sung, acted and danced.
Great cast!
by Dan Pinkerton Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
A talented, personable, and in some cases, pulchritudinous cast performs material that varies greatly in quality. The first 15 minutes are hysterical, but once its snarkiness and tastelessness are established, there's really nowhere to go. And yet the cast never stops selling it for all it's worth, and *that's* what kept me engaged.
I really wanted to like this but...
by tin lizzy Follow this reviewer
Rating 1 kitty
...I hated it.
The one kitty rating I give purely to the cast who were damn fantastic. Seriously - want to see you all doing other things - you were great!
The production itself sucked rocks.
I initially warmed up to the gratuitous obscenity and offensive-topic throwing - I'm all for obscenity and f**king sh*t up. But pretty quick the have-we-shocked-you-yet and
"look mom - we can joke about necrophilia and big dildos" just got tedious.
As for being beaten about the head with the supposed feminist moral of the story - that prostitution isn't all the fun awesome kickassness it's cracked up to be (supposedly a la Pretty Woman and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas)- is pretty damn insulting. Because hey - before seeing this show it never occurred to me that prostitution is rife with violence against and subordination of women, as well as drug addiction and all sorts of other f*ckery. Thanks for pointing that out.
If the writer(s)/producer(s) really wants to take a nuanced and realistic look at women in prostitution and sex-work - how about dramatize some real women's stories about addictions and sex-work, instead of taking the easy out by extreme satirizing/stereotyping stories of prostitutes that are already satires/stereotypes of prostitutes.
Two wrongs don't make a right. Nor does distorting an already distorted view make it a truism.
ugh.
Shock factor!
by Marie Odle Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Cute dance numbers, good juxtaposition of crackwhore/happy dance number. It's a shame the plot had to come in and ruin all the fun. Love the dildo!
Awful and Extremelt Distasteful
by Rakel Garcia Follow this reviewer
Rating 0 kitties
I went in thinking it might shed some light on the dangers of addiction, but this mockery just threw stereotypes and horrific dialogue into the growing misundersatanding of drug addicts, I would like to have lunch with the Playwright to lay it on him thick, I lost a loved one due to Crack and this BS is the lamest attempt at humor I have ever witnessed
Perky musical about degradation
by Pat Lindgren Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
Real, but I prefer to stay away from crackhouses. Happy,perky musical numbers a plus
Whose f'in baby is this?
by Ben Chadwick Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This is Stan Peal's baby and it likes to pee all over us. Wow, I don't think I heard that many swear words in the last decade and I watched Scarface recently. It's an immoral romp through the dregs of humanity with a little song and dance to lighten the mood. This is Fringe fare at it's finest. If you can stomach the language and the subject matter see this show. But don't gawk with your mouth open or something might get shoved in it.
Gin & Juice
by Quinn McBreen Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
What's high-minded is dead and buried in this rockin' satire.
An incredible cast, great dance and vocal performance, and enough raunch to make anybody feel pleasantly disgusted!
Best Little Crackhouse!
by Christa Beverlin Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The Best Crackhouse in Philly (Crackwhore the Musical) at the Southern Theater July 30th 10:00pm
Woah. Dont bring your mother! This show was a tipper for me. The songs were lame but the singing was actually not bad. There were some funny parts and a giant dildo which was also interesting. I am not sure if i should say that i would see this show again but there were very creative parts and funny characters. Tap dancing and dick sucking who could ask for more. A show you must drink before and come with open minds. Thank god it is only and hour!
I rated this show a 4
love it
by Michelle Walter Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
if you like "reefer madness," you'll love this!
good for a giggle...
by Riley Bertsch Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
was my first show this year...the story was a little sketchy, but really what was I expecting!!? It is, after all a musical about crack etc... good for a laugh!!
Expertly Done
by Richard Heise Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Although the subject matter may not be for everyone this was a suburbly performed show. Only reason it did not get a 5 is because this is the first day of the Fringe and I have to leave my self some room to go up.
outrageously fun
by Dawn Eileen Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
For some of you, this one will throw you way out of your comfort zone! But isn't that part of the fun? :) The cast was amazing and talented, the script delightfully bold, funny and naughty. Thanks for the ride, Stan!
Four Shovels and a Baby
by Nicholas Tillemans Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I have a weakness for dark musicals. But the performances were delightful.
There's something magical about four actors singing a show tune while figuring out what to do with four shovels and a "dead" baby...especially when they're talented performers.
Worthwhile.
Yo, biotches, let's put on a show!
by Fringivitis Vulgaris Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Lots of great moments in this very polished production! If there was a soundtrack I'd put it in my headphones and learn to sing it all. Clever dialogue, talented dancers, and a knack for lampooning the cliches found in musicals.
Outrageous, offensive and brilliant
by William Beeman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A lot of people will come to see this show because it is one of the most outrageous things anyone will ever see on stage with every offensive social vice (drug addiction, bestiality, necrophilia, murder, rape, pottymouth dialog) on display in abundance. Then in about two minutes one realizes that this is an awesome cast of triple-threat actors. They tap dance, they do ballet, they sing up a storm (with wonderful diction and projection, thank you!) and the over-the-top material achieves its goal of overloading the audience until the entire sordid scene achieves self-parody and becomes really hilarious. I feel that if Brecht were alive today, this is what he would be writing. I am truly admiring of author and composer Stan Peal's score and script. He has the superb taste to put a beautifully romantic vocal number in the middle of the show that provides a lovely contrast to the sordid goings on. This show has been honed since 2003, and it may not be fair to compare it with newer works, but if you can suspend your gag reflex at the raunch, you will find this show rewarding on many levels.
trainspotting the musical
by David Trudeau Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Aversion therapy for Dolly Parton whorehouse cuteness. Brilliantly conceived, acted, sung and choreographed by six triple threats- the cast. Unbelievably crass and disgusting and crude and enjoyable and funny - unless you happen to be an ex good-natured crack whore with PTSD.
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