Desperate Times Call for Desperate Pleasures (Pandora Productions)

Sep 16

3 min read

Hot Pink or Ready to Blow Written by Joanie Drago Directed by Christopher Mirto Review by Lan Nguyen-Colgate

Times are hard now folks, let’s not lie. We’ve been living through one major historical event after another and the current socio-political environment is significantly dark. However, Pandora Productions’ performance of Hot Pink or Ready to Blow, allows you to temporarily toss your cares to the wind and immerse yourself in a bright world of pink, power, and revolution.

The story is set in the town of New Pompeii in 1985. An active, rumbling volcano threatens the town, and its eruption can only be prevented by an annual virgin sacrifice. This year’s sacrifice fails, leading to the demand for another. Three teenage girls, Cadence, Brichelle, and Tatanya take charge to save themselves. And so the raunchy, ‘80s teen comedy begins with them embarking on the age-old quest to lose their virginities.

The stage holds a minimal, albeit very pink set ranging from pastel to Pepto Bismol. Three plain platforms sit in the center of the stage, flanked by pink columns that rotate to reveal different images, indicating where a scene takes place. Neon images are projected on a screen above stage between scene changes while ‘80s pop tunes are pumped through the speakers. One set piece remains constant, a window with a view of the volcano.

In this over the top world, where all the characters are larger than life and everything is surreal, one thing is true: the friendship between the three female heroes. Stephanie Michelle Collins, is wonderfully earnest in her role as Cadence, the leader of the group. Being the “pretty one,” she sports a blonde, Farrah Fawcett hairstyle and bright pink ensemble. Katie Martin captures the quirks and awkwardness of being the “nerdy one”, Brichelle. Curly red hair, glasses, pencil skirt, and penny loafers mark her geeky status. Kate Holland Ballowe completes the trio with their brash, tough edge in the role of Tatanya, the “rebel.” Nothing says classic ‘80s rocker like dark wavy hair, jeans, and a black t-shirt. Together they form the ultimate girl gang, and you have no problems believing they’ve been “friends since the third grade.” While the three leads carry the show, the revolving cast of side characters threaten to steal it with their comical antics.

The play’s story is wacky and the script is full of puns. However, it’s the slapstick comedy that takes it over the top. Slapstick cannot work with one actor alone, it relies on the full on ensemble, and everyone in this cast is committed. Each person displays remarkable physicality on the stage. Together they create countless moments of uproarious laughter.

At a glance, the show is a classic coming of age story through the lens of teen girls. However, both playwright (Joanie Drago) and director (Christopher Mirto) encourage us to “look closer.” It’s a story about power systems. When there’s a threat to the community, who determines what actions are for the “greater good”? How is the story, that a “sacrifice” is needed, perpetuated? And who is being asked (required) to sacrifice? What happens when we say “no” and refuse to give up our community? Hot Pink or Ready to Blow gives us hope that we can take back control of the narrative. Revolution starts small, and true power is rooted in friendship and solidarity.