[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of MARVELous: A Risqué Parody, an adults-only superhero satire with aerials, live vocals, stunts and comedy at El Portal Theatre.
If you, like me, have seen every single Marvel movie from Spider-Man to The Avengers, every X-Men and Fantastic Four to the brilliant Black Panther, then you might be surprised to know that right now, and until September 5, there is a wild and wonderful musical parody called MARVELous at the El Portal Theatre in NoHo.
Narrated by crowd favorite Deadpool, the show takes us on a journey through some of the most beloved MARVEL universe characters…but with a twist. Really, what would you expect from Deadpool?
Mixed into the at times slightly unhinged parody/homage are incredible stunts, phenomenal dance sequences, gravity defying aerials and incredible vocals. Deadpool is his usual raunchy, vulgar self, and each superhero has their own tilt. For instance, Iron Man, Thor and Loki are all women, all gorgeous and just as strong as the originals. Captain America is gay…but then I think we all had our suspicions about that, wink wink Winter Soldier.
In fact, there is a truly inspiring dance/fight between Captain America and a delusional Bucky Barnes which then turns into a hilarious strip…you really just have to see this to believe it. Needless to say, all’s well that ends well…
MARVELous is funny, dazzling, super fast and incredibly clever. At times it is tender, thoughtful and poignant, but mostly it is outrageous, hilarious and shocking in all the best possible ways.
I have never seen a show quite this memorable. The engineering alone is astonishing, in a small stage like El Portal especially. But they use every single inch of the space…even up into the rafters, way way up in fact. The songs are all original, and they are utterly excellent. All playing on the MARVEL themes of honor, empathy, humanity and the need to work together to win. And this entire show is a team effort. Every performer supporting the others both figuratively and literally.
Moving the set, switching roles, telling each other’s story, using their voices, their bodies and their incredible talents to bring the MARVEL universe to a stage in an incredibly unique and compelling way.
Yes, it’s a parody, but it never seeks to diminish the characters or their stories. Not at all. The laughter is found in the love for the universe, and remember, MARVEL has a tremendous amount of humor; it’s what sets it apart and above all other superhero franchises. It plays to its camp. It leans in hard, in fact…if you will pardon the pun. And MARVELous takes that hard lean all the way…
You have to see this show. Really. I cannot urge you enough to get your tickets and go, go, go!!!
Go for the superheroes, go for the dance, go for the aerials, go for the satire and the many many bare buttocks, go for the incredible talents of these performers.
Go because you love MARVEL and you will find ways to love it all the more!!
Tickets:
Where:
El Portal Theatre
5269 Lankershim Blvd. NoHo Arts District, CA 91601
When:
August, 28, 29. September 2, 3, 4 & 5.