Nine actors, 48 characters, one crossdresser, seven segments (I think), one deranged playwright, and one brave director. These are the elements necessary to produce an extremely amusing, totally wacky experience titled, A Fish without His Flippers. Dane Stauffer did what any good director would do with Bill Robens insanely funny script: he simply brought together a fabulous cast.
He took Duane Daniels, the only person with a single role, put him in a slinky dress, gave him a prim and proper hat, and told him to become Grandma, the teller of the many tales while rummaging through her old trunk. In just a few words, but with much vamping, Daniels sets up each scene. He's obviously having way too much fun with the role.
To give you an idea of playwright Robens' strange script, here is a partial list of characters: Lounge Singer, Clive Clairemont, Brownshirt, Poi Pot, Hitler, Sparky, Chester, Sly, Lavalina, Jonesy, Hooker, Sarsaparila, Figure and Fireman Jim. The playwright manages to spoof other playwrights and many genres in a very fast 82 minutes.
Hitler (Volt Francisco, who has five other roles) as a foreign exchange student, complete with his thugs, is a delight. Elzie Billups runs the gamut from Lounge Singer, to Old Man Tiberius, to a Brownshirt. He is totally convincing in each of these roles.
In a film noir piece, Duane Weekly plays Charlie Nichols, a man on a mission. He returns as Fireman Jim, who just can't keep his fireman's garb where it belongs.
Then there is this Italian segment done completely in Italian. Fortunately, an English translation is provided that almost syncs up with the dialogue. Albert Chan makes for an interesting Luigi.
Wendy Savage spends much of her Italian time on her knees pleading. She returns in the homage to the South as a southern belle obsessed with fireflies as daddy returns from the war. And much more.
There are cowboys versus a Mexican band and a rogue band of San Francisco firemen who start fires for nefarious gains. Michael C. Freeling, Alia Pierson, and Diana Rendon add their talents throughout the production. Between them they are responsible for 20 characters, quickly changing nationalities, age, and, of course, wigs and costumes.
Fritz Blitz closes this weekend on a high, hilarious note with A Fish without His Flippers.
