Ken Roht's Same-O, A 99¢ Only Electric Ballad

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More About

• Stephen Heath
• John Ballinger
• David Offner
• Same-Sex Marriage
• LGBT Issues

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Writer-director-choreographer-composer Ken Roht originally launched his series of annual extravaganzas as shows utilizing mostly cheap materials available from 99¢ Only Stores. This year, to dramatize sustainability, he's added a subtitle, "Paper Not Plastic," and added a dazzling array of paper and cardboard from Green Paper Alliance. The results are wondrous. To craft this "whimsical-surrealist theatrical collage," Roht has assembled a cast of 18 versatile actors, singers and dancers, co-written the stirring score with musical director John Ballinger, provided the lively choreography and assembled a huge cadre of designers and visual artists. They've concocted a show that suggests the Ziegfeld Follies on acid. David Offner designed the handsome set of butcher paper and corrugated cardboard, and designer Ann Closs-Farley created the ingenious and eye-popping paper costumes, awash in butterflies and flowers. As a response to the passing of Proposition 8, Roht builds his show around a pair of male lovers, Eddie and Fred (Max Faugno and Stephen Heath), and for a finale he provides them with a lavish gay wedding. Like all the 99¢ Only shows, this is a holiday celebration, if not exactly a Christmas show. It's more like Mardi Gras or Winter Solstice. Bootleg Theatre, 2220 Beverly Blvd., Koreatown; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Dec. 19. (213) 389-3856, bootlegtheatre.org.
Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.; Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Starts: Dec. 4. Continues through Jan. 30, 2010