For those – like me – who haven’t seen the popular Netflix series on which Stranger Sings! is based, Stranger Things is hugely successful.
Set in the 1980s, primarily in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, it is an American science fiction horror drama featuring, among others, Winona Ryder. It centres on mysteries and supernatural events occurring around Hawkins and their impact on an ensemble of child and adult characters. Among them are Joyce Byers (Ryder), divorced and the mother of Jonathan and Will. Then there’s Jim Hopper (David Harbour), Hawkins’ Chief of Police.
The zany interactions of this pair are but one of the many pleasures in the off-the-wall laugh fest that is the spoof Stranger Sings! It is clever, corny and heaps of fun. Pop culture references, pubescent angst, poor parenting, convoluted love triangles and dancing monsters are par for the course. The key plot element concerns the disappearance of Will Byers (played by Gabrielle Ward), who has been taken to another dimension.
Naturally, his mother is distraught and his friends turn tail on police advice and set out to find him. That is how one of them links up with telekinetic girl Eleven (Jess Ridler). Sidelined ginger frump Barb Holland (Stacey Louise-Camilleri) – who also goes missing – finally gets the chance to stand up for herself. I dare say fans of the series will be delighted to see their “heroes” parodied the way they are.
There’s no shortage of running around and mayhem. Madeline Pratt is responsible for the choreography. Musically, Stranger Sings! is most engaging. The nine-member cast is mighty talented – the characterisations strong. I am a sucker for big-voiced chorus numbers and here they resonate really well. The musical directors are Geoffrey Scarlett and Stephen McMahon. Staging is simple, but effective. In short, the set is simply swung around to display different locales.
As director and producer, Ashley Taylor Tickell is on a winner. It is a warm and fuzzy show, which hits the mark. Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical is playing at Meat Market until 19th November, 2022.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- The Marvellous Elephant Man: The Musical (Chapel Off Chapel) – musical theatre review
- I’m Yours, Maddy (MC Showroom) – theatre review
- Collaborators (New Theatre) – theatre review
Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
