Liz Mistele stars as
Chicklet Forrest, an early ’60s teenager who longs to be part of Malibu Beach’s
in-crowd. Chicklet’s dreams of acceptance are complicated by a host of divergent
personalities, including a checkout girl, a radio talk-show host, a male model
and an entire accounting firm. Chicklet is worried that her frequent blackouts
may have something to do with a string of mysterious deaths.
Welter’s vision for the
production is very much in line with the over-the-top campiness at the heart of
any decent Charles Busch comedy.
“I've already informed
my cast that there will be no such thing as ‘too much’ or ‘too far,’” Welter
says.
This style should work
particularly well with Mistele, who has given memorable performances as Ophelia
in Off the Wall’s Hamlet and a
fantasy dream figure in Soulstice Theatre’s Love
Song.
“When Liz switches parts
it will not be a subtle buildup,” Welter says. “Her face will contort like an
old cartoon and she will launch full force into her next personality.”
The cast also includes
the talented actor Mark Hagen, better known as local drag queen Dear Ruthie,
who has more than enough personality to fill the theater.
The campy, 1960s
beach-movie feel that Busch was aiming for in the script will be taking place
on one of the smallest stages in town. The intimacy of the space should amplify
the exaggerated intensity of the script to impressive effect. If all goes well
on the technical end, the actors will be aided by video footage in the
background. “Waves will crash when our surfers hit the boards,” Welter says.
Off the Wall Theatre’s production of Psycho Beach Party runs Sept. 2-12.
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