'The Housewives' at the Whitefire Theatre

Theatre Review

Can three middle class housewives form a singing group that eventually becomes as big as the Beatles?

"Yes," claims Hope Juber the creator of the real-life Comedy Rock & Roll Group called "The Housewives." When the band ended after 12 years, she was often asked to bring them back. The musical "It´s The Housewives!" is her response, and although the original three did not reach that fabled stardom… her fictional women do.

Returning to the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks after a two month sold-out run last fall "It´s The Housewives!" has been tightened and a subplot added, but the performing, singing and staging are every bit as sensational.

With an eclectic blend of be-bob, ballad, pop, rap, punk, and techno-metal styles, there´s something for every music lover. And for those who enjoy listening to the words, Juber´s clever lyrics that "glorify the mundane" are pure auditory pleasure.

The play begins when a star-struck and opportunistic plumber (Tony Cicchetti) recognizes his new customer as one of the legendary, but now disbanded, "Housewives" and coerces her into telling him their story. On the sly he contacts a Tabloid and promises to sell them an exclusive story. Throughout the show we see him making furtive calls and taking sneaked photos on his cell phone.

Appropriately the opening number is "Call A Repairman" featuring the three wives with color-coordinated costumes and old-fashioned telephones. Heads bob and heels keep time as the audience embraces the unforgettable beat and sound of early 1980´s Rock & Roll.

Jamey Hood stars as Becca, the songwriting mastermind of The Housewives. She convinces her two best friends, neat freak Lynn (Corinne Decker) and ditzy blond, Lexie (Jayme Lake) to enter a PTA talent contest. Their energetic "Be My Babysitter" blows away the competition, surprising both the announcer and themselves.

A businessman (Andy Lurie) hearing their groovy tune gives the girls an "opportunity to live out a dream" and perform on a real stage. Hugo´s Laundromat is not what they´d imagined, but their "Spotless Love" is a hit with the laundry crowd.

The slow and sultry "Ironing Bored" number, performed in midnight blue light with jets of steam for atmosphere, is definitely an audience pleaser. It´s followed by "Permanent Wave" in classic surfer style.

Susan Mullen adds humor as the "cranky lady" in the Laundromat who can´t help but respond to their finger-snapping music.

Next up is a commercial gig for dish soap, and the cutesy, mildly suggestive "In Sink and at Your Disposal" sends their ratings higher.

Determined to get on radio, the women pressure the reluctant DJ (Jed Alexander) at K-Rap ("Crap" to airhead Lexie) into airing their Rap song, "Domestiphobia." Blueberry muffins and promises to clean the studio help to bribe him. "Hey, you do whatcha gotta do!"

Their popularity continues to soar and Becca´s husband (Anthony Desantis) sweet-talks them into becoming their manager. Next follows a spot on Letterman and their own TV show and … look out Oprah!

But jealousy, infidelity, and an unusual addiction eat away at the band´s morale. Then a misinterpreted paparazzi photo changes everything and their fans desert them en masse.

They struggle to "re-arrive" with such numbers as the wickedly down and dirty "Reynold´s Rap," the hot and sexy "I´ve been Defrosting All Day," and the devious "Erica, You Bitch" in which the three men sing back-up. Despite this, their star was definitely falling.

But "It´s The Housewives!" is a comedy and the upbeat closing scenes will give audiences that satisfied and happy walk-away feeling they crave. Many will want to return to experience this top-notch musical for a second and third time.

"It´s The Housewives!" runs through March 29, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm.

Tickets are $30.00 each. Call (323) 960-5563 for reservations.

The Whitefire Theatre is located at 13500 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (three blocks east of Woodman, on the corner of Sunnyslope).