God Hates The Irish: The Ballad of Armless Johnny, by Sean Cunningham, with music by Michael Frears, is a very black, absurdist musical comedy about the tribulations of an armless Irish man, played by the very engaging Bill Thompson, a good singer, comedian and actor with very elastic legs. The cast are all strong personas, including the bright, shiny Broadway-level Ann Bobby, Remy Auberjonois, the lovely Anna Camp, Lisa Altomare and James A. Stephens. It's all non-PC jokes, full of sexual outrageousness. If you can handle a song about cunnilingus, a mother who masturbates, a priest who drinks (okay, I'll give you that one), jokes about English inbreeding, murder, violent death, etc., it's the show for you.
This excellent cast, zippily directed by Will Frears, choreographed by Jim Augustine, set with potatoes by Robin West and costumed with apt ridiculousness by Camille Benda, is lots of fun, and they're all really good singers. Have a Jameson's and have a good time.
Previews:
March 24, 2005
Opened:
March 31, 2005
Ended:
April 24, 2005
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater:
Theater Type:
off-Broadway
Theater:
Rattlestick Theater
Theater Address:
224 Waverly Place
Genre:
Musical Satire
Director:
Will Frears
Review:
Cast:
Anna Camp, Lisa Altomare, James A. Stephens, Remy Auberjonois, Ann Bobby, Bill Thompson
Technical:
Set: Robin Vest; Costumes: Camille Benda; Light: Matt Richards; PR: Origlio PR.
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
April 2005
