The Skivvies are the brainchild of Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley, singer/actor/musicians with many Broadway and theatre credits including Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages, Pageant, and Marry Me a Little; they banded together to perform stripped-down arrangements of eclectic covers, often in inventive (and possibly insane) mashups. They also strip themselves down when they perform (hence the name) and they demand the same of their frequent guest stars. The Rocky Horror Skivvies Show is their annual autumn extravaganza with a different all-star cast each year; it is a concert of the songs from Richard O’Brien’s iconic score, given their own unique transformations. There is minimal time spent on the plot but since the audience is filled with fans and fanatics of the original, there are call-outs and sing-alongs aplenty to help with a partial recreation of the entire show.
Nick Cearley and Lauren Molina (Photo: Courtesy of NickCearley.com)
Cearley and Molina are the hapless heroes, Brad and Janet; in the tried-and-true tradition of midnight Rocky Horror screenings, the mention of either name inspires shouts of “a-hole” and “slut” from the enthusiastic crowd. They each take a solo in character and their playing and singing is fantastic, true to the lofty tradition the band has established. In the course of any given show, Molina plays cello, electric cello, glockenspiel, boomwhackers, and bells; Cearley contributes ukulele, glockenspiel, boomwhackers, bells, and melodica. The other musicians, equally accomplished and delightful, include Debby Tjong on bass, keys and vocals, Rob Morrison on electric, acoustic and one-string guitar and banjo, and Andrew Gutauskas on flute, piccolo, and baritone and tenor saxophone. This crew makes the musical backing for the show equal parts inventive and perfection.
The guests were a who’s who of talent on the verge of super-stardom from the worlds of theatre and nightlife. Drag favorite Sutton Lee Seymour had great fun lip-syncing the vocals provided by the two leaders on “Science Fiction/ Double Feature.” Andy Mientus came on to give a bit of narrative cohesion before, with the audience supplying lights from their cellphones, joining Molina and Cearley for a spirited “Over at the Frankenstein Place” after he had stripped to a revealing, Tom of Finland-worthy, underwear ensemble. Diana Ewing got to lead the crowd in “Time Warp,” channeling a bit of Madeline Kahn.
One of the standouts of the night of a dozen stars was Sydney James Harcourt, fresh from his triumph as Rum Tum Tugger in Cats “The Jellicle Ball,” blazing on to the stage and burning the house down with his own take on “Sweet Transvestite” that was part Tim Curry, part Prince, and all Harcourt electricity. In a night of fun, funny and fabulous costumes, his gold chains and provocative strap gave new meaning to “revealing.” His Cats co-star, Nora Schell, who stopped “The Jellicle Ball” as Bustopher Jones, managed a similar feat at Joe’s Pub with “Don’t Dream It” that included quotes from so many dream songs that the song ultimately exploded in the best possible way as her voice grew and grew.
Max Clayton, Michelle Dowdy, Krysta Rodriguez, Marissa Rosen, and Talia Suskauer each had moments to shine in the craziness. The costuming, the lights, the sound, and the staging were all first-rate. In my youth there was a phrase called “a happening,” and that’s just what this evening was. It literally flew by from one highlight to the next. A good time was literally had by all. The Skivvies are not only one of the treasures of Joe’s Pub, but of all New York night life. Long may they wave and rock and roll! I am still smiling.
Gerry Geddes has conceived and directed a number of musical revues—including the Bistro- and MAC Award-winning "Monday in the Dark with George" and "Put On Your Saturday Suit-Words & Music by Jimmy Webb"—and directed many cabaret artists, including André De Shields, Helen Baldassare, Darius de Haas, and drag artist Julia Van Cartier. He directs "The David Drumgold Variety Show," currently in residence at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, and has produced a number of recordings, including two Bistro-winning CDs. He’s taught vocal performance at The New School, NYU, and London’s Goldsmith’s College and continues to conduct private workshops and master classes. As a writer and critic, he has covered New York’s performing arts scene for over 40 years in both local and national publications; his lyrics have been sung by several cabaret and recording artists. Gerry is an artist in residence at Pangea, and a regular contributor to the podcast “Troubadours & Raconteurs.” He just completed a memoir of his life in NYC called “Didn’t I Ever Tell You This?”
