Chicago Reader Apply the social dynamics of Disney's High School Musical to Chicago's storefront theater scene and you've got this parody musical, written by Robert Bouwman, Linda Rudy, and BJ Stradley and composed by Scott Lamberty and Jonathan DeSouza. When three theater troupes find themselves sharing the same performance space due to budget constraints, improv hotshot Trent Nutten and tragedian Jillianana Ethnica discover they have an affinity for musicals and each other, much to their friends' dismay. The writers' tendency to overstuff can scatter focus, and leads, in Bouwman's staging for Corn Productions, to a stage crowded with redundant supporting characters. On the other hand, the show's goofball energy is infectious, the songs are spot-on, and a group of dusty skeletons plays the Jeff Committee. I'd say that redeems it. --Zac Thompson
Centerstage Show Review Based on the movie that spawned a generation of doting tweens and a few aisles worth of merchandise at Walmart, "Storefront Theater Musical" is a feverishly silly and immensely enjoyable spoof on Disney's "High School Musical." Written with mocktacular wit and goofball gusto by Robert Bouwman, Linda Rudy and BJ Stradely, STM pokes fun at everything from Zac Efron to Chicago's theater bureaucracy, all while maintaining the absurd cheeriness and infectious tunes that Disney productions are known for.
The story revolves around the Upstage Theater, which will be shut down unless three rival theater companies – improv troupe Picasso's Missing Ear, the Really Realistic Realism Theater Company (RRR) and drag-queen revue L'eggs in a Basket – put aside their differences and hold a benefit performance to save the theater! As if that weren't enough conflict for a musical, STM adds a love story between Trent, whose dad is the improv troupe's coach, and Julianana, whose mom, DeDaDo, is head of the RRR. And I'm not even going to talk about the ninjas and the papier-mache Wizard of Oz with dreads. STM combines the best of pop fluff, slapstick, deadpan and multiple dance breaks whenever there's a lull in the storyline.
The exuberant cast covers just about every theater stereotype known to man, with the sheer nerdery that could only come from those who have been in the Chicago theater business a long time. But STM's not about insider jokes or theater trivia – instead it embraces the struggles so many artists feel while trying to make it in the biz. STM addresses these issues in sequined hot pants and while brandishing a giant dildo. Except for the occasional race-joke FAIL, STM is sheer comedic brilliance – a lowbrow-meets-high(school)brow treat with enough camp left over for a sequel, or two, or three, and maybe an Ice Capades show and line of commemorative pencil sharpeners. It's that good. --- Anna Pulley
The Chicagoist Watch at Your Own Risk: Storefront Theater MusicalWhile we don’t think it’s funny that many theaters are suffering in the recession, it certainly provides prime comedic material. Because when things don’t get better, all you can do is laugh. That’s what Corn Productions is choosing to do with Storefront Theater Musical, a charming and borderline offensive parody of the omnipresent High School Musical. The show revolves around a storefront theater, the Upstage Theater, where there are three resident companies: Picasso’s Missing Ear (the improv troupe), The Really Realistic Realism Theater Company (straight dramas only) and L’eggs in a Basket (campy musical theater group). Of course all the companies hate each other which presents a problem for the son of the improv troupe leader, Trent Nutten, and Jillianana Ethnica, daughter of loopy “RRR” director. These two meet and fall in love while working at a summer stock theater. However, when the Upstage Theater starts to go under, the three groups must band together to put on a musical fundraiser. But will Trent and Jillianana find a way to make it to the callback when their friends and families are rooting against them? You get the picture. While familiarity with High School Musical is not a prerequisite, the knowledge certainly helps keep you in on the humor. If you are morally opposed to all things Zac Efron, a basic understanding of Chicago theater will suffice. The show jabs at Chicago theater fixtures such as the Jeff Committee (the “George” committee) and Sketchfest (“Skit Fair”). While it is all in good fun (we think), we would not recommend this show to members of either group. Unless they enjoy being likened to a group of skeletons. At the end of the day, it’s nice to find the humor in these undeniably difficult times, and the self-proclaimed “black sheep” of Chicago storefront theater, Corn Productions successfully accomplishes that. While not all the lyrics match up to the catchy and annoying HSM tunes, we appreciate the joke. (“We’re all in this together” becomes “Here’s your cheesy ending.”)
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