If you’ve not seen the drag show “Mimosas With Mama” featuring “30 Minute-(ish) Hairspray” you’ve only got a few chances left and… you’re late.
“Mimosas With Mama” will soon be presenting a 30 minute-(ish) version of the stage and screen hit “Dreamgirls” and it will most definitely be wonderful however, missing their comedic interpretation of “Hairspray” would be a crime.
Full disclosure, I’m the lighting guy for “Mimosas With Mama” so I do have somewhat of a vested interest in its success. Not for the money mind you (I’m a volunteer), but because the show is just so shockingly good, I want it to succeed and grow. After you see this show, you’ll understand and agree.
When “Mimosas With Mama” first debuted at the Grill on Broadway it was just a drag show, a great drag show with excellent performers and Mama Tits, the best comedy drag hostesses to grace a stage in Seattle but still, “just” a drag show. I’m not sure whose idea it was to deconstruct the stage version of “Hairspray”, the John Travolta movie musical and the John Waters original film then overlay that with a soundtrack by Disco Vinnie and choreography by Tipsy Rose Lee but the result is nothing less than astounding. Don’t take my word for it, in a recent review by the Seattle Gay News, the Associate Editor said, “You really do have to see it to believe it! But once you do, you’ll be glad you did… This is not a drag show – it’s a production. And as far as I’m concerned, “Mimosas With Mama” is the place to be on Sunday afternoons in Seattle”. The review goes on and on for a full-page and is really worth a read. Here’s a link: http://sgn.org/sgnnews41_25/page24.cfm
When I was asked to sit in on a rehearsal in their new location at the Unicorn/Narwhal I was first captivated by the carnival atmosphere of the venue (I could go on about how awesome the basement theater is so I’ll save that for another time), what really struck me was the difference the staging made for “Mimosas With Mama”. The Grill on Broadway was cramped, overly bright and the stage practically nonexistent. The cast was so confined in the space that they really couldn’t shine. Most of the performers in this show are over six feet tall (in heels) and all are dancers so a cramped space had to have been very difficult to say the least. Now, at the Unicorn/Narwhal they have room to breathe and really perform. Discussions came up at this rehearsal as to how to “stay in the light” and the only sweet spot was right in the middle of the stage so Tipsy Rose Lee was having to modify choreography to keep the action in this tiny spot. Given that, I volunteered my lights, follow-spot and time thus removing this dilemma and I’m so glad I did. I get to see this show weekly from behind the spotlight and every week the show and the response from the audience brings me great joy. Heck, Seeing Isabella Extynn St. James, Bukkake London St. James and Tipsy Rose Lee in the opening number would be enough for anyone to want to see the show weekly!
The acts in the first half of “Mimosas With Mama” are different every week so every time it’s essentially a new show, the second half is normally a 30 minute-(ish) version of a musical and given their “30 Minute-(isn) Hairspray” they are well worth seeing again and again. At $15.00 and a free mimosa, it really is a show you can enjoy over and over!
The “30 Minute-(ish) Hairspray” segment is set to close the end of September. Get your tickets now if you want to see these last shows since they will likely sell out. “30 Minute-(ish) Dreamgirls” with guest star Robbie Turner Is set to début in October.
Visit the website www.mimosaswithmama.com for tickets and be sure and check out the calendar page for more info on specific shows and show dates.
