Gorgeous is an irreverent new musical written by Donald Rupe. It is an absolutely hilarious play about the Ms. Golden Boot Pageant in the rural town of Saint Crowd Florida. Audience members had a choice to see this play on it’s own or stay and see Boots which followed shortly afterwards. Security at the Ren is tight which I appreciate in this day and age, especially in the Gunshine State.
A shorter version of this show premiered at the Orlando International Fringe Festival a few years ago to enthusiastic audiences and and critical acclaim. Many members of the audience for this show were in cowboy hats and they were ready for the playful romp.
A middle aged beauty played by Becca Jo Lightfoot, who had won the contest years ago had two daughters. One, petite wide eyed beauty played by Michelle Coben was intent to win the pageant for her mom. The mom had a hilarious musical number in which she outlined all the evil things she would do to be sure her daughter won. The other daughter played by Kendall Leamy, sat quietly at the front of the stage reading a book.
Svedka Stolichnaya, the town choreographer, played by Blake Aburn made a grand entrance dressed all in black with a black dress white wig and thick Russian accent. Every other word was a curse and he demanded respect. The contestants cowered as he yelled out his choreography instructions. Every contestant did their own thing in the confusion, except Kendall, who miraculously knew every move. Svenka adored her and insisted she join the contest. Blakes performance was always hilarious. Many of his barbs and asides felt improvised and the cast was just as shocked and amazed as the audience as how crass and hilarious he was.
At one point contestants wore decorative head pieces. A feisty and combative contestant wore a replica of the state capitol on her head and it distinctly looks like a penis. Michelle wore a KKK cup on her head which was a local brand of coffee. One contestant played by Isabella Benal was hoping to win money for her collage tuition. She wore a giant cross on her headpiece. There is a competition among churches n Florida to se who has the largest cross on display.
Michelle and her boyfriend did a hilarious number where he was Christ nailed to the cross and she was a sexy Mary. She got on her hands and knees and crawled towards him as if moving in for a BJ. She gyrated inn front of him and eventually separated his hands from the cross so her could hold her hips. I was laughing so hard I could not breath. I found myself laughing uncontrollably throughout the show.
One of the refrains is, “what good is it to be gorgeous, in an ugly world?” Blind ambition is tempered by generosity and caring by the end of the show allowing even the most viscous contestant to find the rewards of friendship.
Gorgeous runs through May 3, 2025 at the Renaissance Theater, 415 E Princeton Street, Orlando Florida. Don’t miss it bitches! This is a locally produced gem of a show. Tickets run from $40 to $50.