“Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” is sequin-filled fun

Charles Busch’s very first play “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” opened at the Limbo Lounge in New York in 1984 and moved Off-Broadway in 1985 where it had a five-year run. It tells the story of two immortal vampire lesbians, a creature known as The Succubus (aka La Condessa or Magda Legerdemaine) and the virgin-turned-vampire who becomes known as Madelaine Astarte and Madelaine Andrews. The two are locked in eternal, if comic, antagonism after surviving the downfall of the mythical Biblical city in question. Fast forward to 1920s/1930s Broadway and Hollywood when both women arrive masquerading as silent film stars. Hilarity ensures. A final scene in Las Vegas in the 1980s sees them finally reach a truce.

Stray Dog Theatre opened “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” at Tower Grove Abbey on June 8th. Directed by Gary F. Bell this is seventy minutes of sequin-filled over-the-top campy fun. Sarajane Clark and Xander Huber play the title roles and appear to have a great time playing off of each other. Nara, as Sodom guard Ali in the opening scene, steals the show with their pratfalls and reluctance to serve up the girl virgin to The Succubus. Scenic Designer Rob Lippert serves the show well with his minimal backdrop and clever signage to depict where we are. Costumes by Colleen Michelson provide the appropriate campiness and timeliness to each scene.

Of the three scenes, the opening is the strongest, setting the stage for the ongoing conflict between the two vampire lesbians. In the second scene, set in 1920’s Hollywood, director Bell uses a few too many “dunh-dunh” moments of light shifts and actors in over-reaction takes that become predictable rather than clever. The climax of the final scene, set in 1980’s Las Vegas, seems rushed which is unnecessary as the show is cleverly written and the actors could take a bit more time to resolve their centuries old rivalry. Overall, a good time is had and laughs abound. If you are looking for a light evening (for mature audiences) full of puns, glitter, and innuendo this is the show for you!

“Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” with Stray Dog Theatre at Tower Grove Abbey runs through June 18th. For information go to the Stray Dog Theatre website.