EntertainmentShows / ConcertsVegas Unfiltered

Bitch-slap Your Funny Bone with ‘NEWSical’ and ‘A MUSICAL ABOUT STAR WARS’

A double-shot of hysterical off-Broadway hits arrives to shake off your holiday doldrums…

People love to visit New York City during the holiday season. Its charm, frivolity, and spirit naturally lend themselves to great decorations and seasonal celebrations. This year, Las Vegas was given a gift from the Big Apple by way of two long-running comedy shows. NEWSical The Musical and A MUSICAL ABOUT STAR WARS have arrived, and they’re a double feature of hysteria.

Both shows are produced by Tom D’Angora (NAKED BOYS SINGING), a brilliant and witty writer whose boundless energy infuses every character and line of dialog. D’Angora has a way of tapping the inner “fanboy”, no matter your gender. His understanding of pop culture idolization forms the backbone of both productions, giving them a heart and soul that more cynical spoofs might miss.

Fandom was undoubtedly the catalyst behind Tom’s involvement in HARMONY, a Broadway-bound salute to the music of Barry Manilow. The Tony award nominee is a lifelong fan of the Vegas headliner, and he’s dedicated years to making this tribute a reality. So it’s no surprise that A MUSICAL ABOUT STAR WARS captures the sometimes embarrassing lengths we take to honor our idols.

Very few intellectual properties have fostered a fervent fan base the way STAR WARS has. The brainchild of George Lucas has inspired countless millions of devotees who debate, absorb, and even question its creator. STAR WARS fans, like devoted Trekkies, have always been a target of parody for those very reasons. They take ownership of the characters, their personalities, and even their destinies. From the outside looking in, that’s pretty damned funny.

“Emily” (Carly Sakolove) is a budding actress who’s been coerced into performing in A STAR WARS MUSICAL by two die-hard nerds. Her puzzlement over their obsession forms the basis of the show. “Scott” (Greg Sullivan) and “Taylor” (Taylor Crousore) are two friends who must convince Emily that STAR WARS is the foundation of almost everything in the universe. And damned, if they don’t make a convincing argument.

If diehard fans are ripe for skewering, then so are the celebrities we worship. NEWSical The Musical grabs D’Angora’s parody-powered lightsaber and takes aim at superstars, influencers, and other newsmakers who fill our daily feed. Both sides of the political spectrum get eviscerated, along with infomercials, reality shows, and the ever-twirling maelstrom that is Britney Spears.

NEWSical has been an off-Broadway staple for years. The constantly evolving show, created and written by Rick Crom, adds new material regularly, pointing its dagger at the latest events and nonsense in the world. Last week’s performance had a joyful time skewering petulant (and extremely late) diva “Adele”…along with a certain Vegas 411 Deputy Editor.

Carly Sakolove, Taylor Crousore, and Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live) return to the Vegas production of NEWSical after its sold-out run last April at Majestic Repertory Theater. They’re joined by Dylan Hartwell, a multi-year member of the NYC cast. Each performer is a wizard of impersonation, improvisation, and comic timing.

Taylor Crousore co-wrote the book for A MUSICAL ABOUT STAR WARS along with Tom D’Angora. He also appears with Carly Sakolove and the boyishly endearing Gregory Sullivan. The music and lyrics by Billy Recce are loaded with broad jabs and a few deep cuts that dedicated geeks will appreciate. D’Angora and Michael Duling D’Angora co-direct AMASW, while he and Mark Waldrop share direction for NEWSical.

(L to R) Greg Sullivan, Dylan Hartwell, Kristen Alderson, Taylor Crousore,Tom D’Angora, Carly Sakolove

While each show is ticketed separately, I highly recommended attending them back to back. Side effects may include post-show soreness from laughing, but it’s worth it. You’ll leave feeling at one with the Force…and with a heightened awareness of your own absurd place in the galaxy.

A Musical About Star Wars performs Thursday through Sunday at 4:30 pm. All ages are welcome. NEWSical The Musical performs Tuesday through Sunday at 6 pm. Recommended age is 12 and over. For tickets visit www.VTheater.com