Erin Ortegon; Nina Gosiengfiao; Toni Lorene Baker; Charlotte Crossley; Devan Watring; Tiffany Nicole Brevard; Karla Mosley (Photo by Richard Clark)
Reviewed by V Cate
Three Clubs as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival
Through June 24
The 1970s in America was a politically charged, volatile, sexy decade. The fashion, gender politics, and of course the music were no longer soft or silent — the time for subtlety was over. Feminism and the Women’s Liberation Movement made massive strides toward a more equal existence, and in some ways the nation’s ideals and policies were more advanced than today (see: Roe vs. Wade).
First produced and performed in 1999, Foxy Ladies Love Boogie 70’s Explosion! is a musical revue celebrating the sounds of the time. From the title you might expect a consortium of femmes dancing for audience pleasure through objectification in exploitation-style. Or else, perhaps an insightful examination of feminism through music, at a time when women’s bodies were being policed more than in any decade since. While the show skirts lightly around both notions, its overall merit lies in its repertoire of songs. Conceived and directed by Fritz Brekeller, Foxy Ladies serves up an inoffensive trip down memory lane.
Theatre for nostalgia’s sake is still valid theater, and when the show allows itself, it is an engaging good time. However, Brekeller’s direction seems to shut down any energetic momentum whenever it comes within reach. More perplexing, the sweet ensemble of performers is directed to make faces at each other, roll their eyes, and tear each other’s performances down. Brekeller might have instead approached women — purportedly the subject of the show — as building each other up rather than tearing each other down.
The choice of songs is undeniably solid, as Billboard hit after hit, earworm after earworm, are churned out from the committed band members and singers. On the night I attended, the audience was clearly primed to be invested; there was also an observable yearning from the audience to sing and dance along with the performers, but less than a handful of instances were provided. If you’re looking for an immersive boogie, this isn’t it.
The show is most successful in its group numbers when the ensemble is allowed to shine in harmony, in particular as they dance to Ashley Wren Collins’ fun, period-appropriate choreography. And in some sublime moments — such as “This Will Be”, “Killing Me Softly”, and “The Jeffersons Theme” — the music, performers and band blended in musical triumph.
The show packs a whopping 70-plus songs into its repertoire, from general 70s and heartbreak numbers to TV show themes of the time. From there, it makes a brief stop in feminism (where it most shone), then on to movies, to disco (where it briefly took flight), and back again to general music and heartbreak.
Foxy Ladies is pretty to watch and easy to take, even with the daunting timestamp. Chadd McMillan’s lighting is sharp and vibrant, and projections are used to great success. Veta Adrion’s bright costumes evoke the glamour and flair of the decade — sequins, fringe and all.
Despite any criticism, you’ll be hard pressed to leave the show without falling in love with the music of the decade all over again. In that respect, the show is a success. With some slight adjustments to the joyless direction and negative banter, the audience could really have witnessed and been a part of something special. As it is, Foxy Ladies ultimately comes off cold.
Three Clubs, 1123 N Vine St, Hollywood 90038; Performances Friday June 21 10:15pm & Monday June 24 7pm; https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/10761; Running time: 100 minutes, no intermission.
