Courtesy of Cornwell Dinner Theater
In case you’ve ever wished you would mainline your complete Nineteen Eighties whereas scarfing down turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy, Cornwell’s summer season musical “Hit Me With Your Finest Shot” is your new favourite mixtape. This authentic manufacturing is a slaptastic, neon-drenched fever dream of huge hair, larger air-guitar riffs, and a plot that seems like “Noticed” obtained drunk watching VH1’s “I Love the 80s.”
Don’t assume too arduous in regards to the story (you’ll sprain one thing). However for the file: a gaggle of actors (performed with fierce, recreation power by Shea Grande, Stephen Sandham, and Audrey Turnage) arrive pondering they’re auditioning for a film musical. Some assume it’s “Cocoon,” others “The Breakfast Membership,” however all find yourself locked in a dungeon-esque basement fortress, the scenic design appears to point that, although let’s be trustworthy, it’s extra “Double Dare” soundstage than medieval horror, by the mysterious Gennifer X (a wickedly humorous Love Ruddell).
Gennifer X’s complete deal? She’s a Gen X-er on a mission to show Gen Z the significance of actual tradition — particularly, the tradition of the Nineteen Eighties. If these poor suckers can’t show they know their Springsteen from their Madonna, they’ll be trapped there without end, alongside Gennifer’s unhappy, twitchy minion, the Devotee (a scene-stealing Thaddeus Williamson). The one escape? Survive a collection of nostalgic trivia challenges and sing iconic ’80s hits — lyrics fully intact — from sheer muscle reminiscence. Miss a phrase, flub a line, and it’s recreation over. (Cue “Pac-Man” demise sound impact.)
Naturally, the characters protest that they barely know the last decade, till, someway, all of them belt out “Jessie’s Woman” with out lacking a syllable. Once more: don’t ask questions, simply go together with it, like all of us did when Marty McFly invented rock n’ roll in “Again to the Future.”
What the skinny plot lacks in logic, the forged greater than makes up for with high-octane performances and unrelenting attraction. Grande is hysterical all through and crushes “Each Rose Has Its Thorn” with all of the melodrama of a “Common Hospital” cliffhanger. Sandham is the present’s secret MVP, particularly throughout a roof-raising rendition of the aforementioned “Jessie’s Woman” that virtually turns into an aerobics video with higher choreography.
Williamson’s supply of the “McDonald’s Menu Music” is so sharp it would make you overlook your personal order on the drive-thru, whereas Turnage has a laugh-out-loud bit involving a cassette tape and an unsuspecting viewers member. And although they’re unseen for a lot of the present, when Ruddell’s Gennifer X lastly takes the stage to ship a rowdy “Footloose”-worthy model of the titular “Hit Me With Your Finest Shot.” Joan Jett can be proud.
Director/choreographer Jennifer J. Hopkins retains the pacing brisk and the dance numbers tight, and music director Dan Sander-Wells provides sensible prospers to the preparations. together with a killer mash-up, amongst others, of “Born within the USA” and “Materials Woman.” Scenic designer Sky Aguilar brings the dungeon to life with intelligent touches like a large Rubik’s Dice that lights up when pressed, plus an enormous tiger head that opens up heart stage like one thing straight out of “Thundercats” Marley Boone’s costumes, all leg heaters, acid wash, and fringe, are spot-on, like a time capsule from the Mötley Crüe tour bus.
In case you’re craving nostalgia, want a break from the sweltering summer season warmth, or simply need a day the place you’ll be able to faux Blockbuster continues to be across the nook, “Hit With Your Finest Shot” hits all the proper notes. It’s goofy, it’s campy, it’s a bit nonsensical, however like a superbly worn VHS tape, it nonetheless performs nice. Plus, you’ll by no means hear 867-5309 with out desirous to name it… in your landline.
HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT continues by means of August ninth at Turkeyville Cornwell Dinner Theater. Reservations will be made right here.