Bedbugs

We have all seen the reports here of the bedbug infestation that is plaguing NYC over these past few years. Now the scare was recently heightened even more with reports of these blood sucking nasty critters on the N and R subway lines. Jeezus — we can’t even ride the rails back and forth to work without feeling all itchy and creeped out. As if some of our fellow passengers don’t already make us feel that way! Now along comes this performance that I had the joy of attending that makes me wonder if the «Bedbug Apocalypse» is almost upon us. Bedbugs!!! The Musical at the off-​off Broadway venue Arclight Theater was a campy treat for the ears and the eyes. Yup, you can say I was bitten.
I just adore anything with a high campiness factor, and this musical scored big points with me as it bit in deeply at my affinity for 80s’ rock, horror movie schlock, and goofy over the top fun. The premise is that it’s a «girl meets bug sci –fi musical comedy». WTF you say? Well, you have to experience it to believe it. Think back to the midnight showings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, with a dash of Little Shop of Horrors thrown in, and then include diva pop candy such as Celine Dion, mixed in with an 80’s soaring stadium rock soundtrack and the Frankenstein born of this is Bedbugs!!! The Musical.
The storyline itself is totally nuts, and was written with a wink to all those B-​movies that we saw growing up. It’s an endearing homage to 80’s glam and 90’s pop rock too. All this with a modern twist featuring current pop culture references and the bedbug news as of late feeding the frenzy. As the show goes it’s what transpires when a vengeance filled lonely exterminator, who is hell-​bent on avenging her mother’s bedbug-​related death when she was a child — comes up with a chemical concoction to wipe out all bedbugs from NYC. What follows of course is a disaster as the bugs are mutated into an army of large blood sucking human eating creatures who plot to take over the city, and then world domination! Insane plot? Yes. Somehow it all works splendidly. Who knew Celine Dion’s voice would also help save our city in the end? Who knew I would love this show? I did!
Well, not really Celine but an amazingly portrayed avatar of her played by Brian Charles Rooney as the singer Dionne Salon with a good soul who wants to help all the suffering people but is manipulated by her evil self serving husband/​manager. Hmmm… this sounds familiar. Our exterminator with a bad case of revenge, Carly, is played by Grace McLean, who also ends up as Queen of the Bedbugs for awhile before coming back to reality after her brother is also killed off bedbug style. Sauntering around all of this is Lord Cimex, king of the bedbugs, played with glam god off his rocker Dr Frank-​N-​Furter bombastic flair by Chris Hall, who seduces the love starved Carly to be by his side as his romantic interest. He basically steals the show every time he is on stage along with Dionne Salon. Each one has amazing pipes and can really sing. From soft ballads, to rock anthems, to pop cheesiness, to grungy vocals I was blown away by the talent of the lead actors and actresses. In fact, the whole supporting cast can sing and act at a high level. This was not something I expected from a show this far off Broadway. Sensational music, marvelous singing, believable acting, and very funny at times. It’s like a crazy rock opera. Even though it all takes place on a small stage the way it’s presented makes it seem much larger than life. It was very easy to get sucked in and the show flies by leaving one wishing there was more. The cast works their butts off with energetic aplomb and really delivers. Kudos!
Fred Sauter, who wrote the book and lyrics, along with Paul Leschen. who composed the music, really nailed it here with the vision of what they wanted to showcase. The live band which is positioned on the upper right corner of the stage is outstanding. The costumes are inspired wackiness, especially those worn by Cimex, the bedbugs, and Dionne’s wardrobe creations. Wonderful job all around. I keep going back to the show’s website to listen to «Who Is The Bug Lady» which is Lord Cimex’ anthem starting off the second act. Cool tune. When will the full CD of the show’s music come out? I want a copy!
I have not had that much fun at any musical either on or off Broadway in a long time. We bumped into some friends that we had not seen in years who were also there that night. They confessed that this was their third time seeing it and still loved it. I have to admit that I really want to see this again, and since it’s run has been extended until November 2^nd it will offer me ample time to get itchy and scratchy all over. Sleep tight, and don’t let the bedbugs bite! Better check under the mattress as Lord Cimex might be lurking. That would actually be pretty cool! Especially if I have my Rocky Horror pajamas on while watching some old B grade sci-​fi flick on the tube. Ouch! What just bit me?

This play is definitely the most zany, insane, fun, and over the top Sci-​fi musical ever made, at least on this planet. If you have a chance to experience it, you must do it! This is «Off Broadway» at its best! Thanks to my wife for finding it and taking care of the arrangements!
The characters were exceptionally hilarious, with Chris Hall playing Lord Cimex taking top honors for going beyond what Tim Curry pulled off in Rocky Horror Picture Show. His expressions and over the top campy performance truly took this show to another level. We loved it!
As for the Arclight Theatre, just come with an open mind and focus on the Performance Art you are here to see. Where else can you see a mind blowing performance with great live music and less than 100 people in the audience? We were in the front row and we were truly closer to the stage that ever before! Who cares that it is in the basement of a church with bathrooms a maze away? I mean, come on! Get over it and enjoy!

The venue was tiny and as I stared at the ceiling I saw Jesus/​or Mary (they were both wearing dresses) stare back at me. As I put my eyes toward the compact stage, I was expecting something good, I wasn’t expecting something epic.
The first thing I noticed was that in addition to the talented house band, the actors worked their asses off. The players were extremely skilled for sure, but they effortlessly channeled their raw emotion, physical abilities and amazing voices to bring about what felt like an arena rock concert. The songs deserve a soundtrack.
I also have to say it is hard to pick a favorite but Lord Cimex and the hot guy playing Celine Dion were insanely on point as they were supposed to be camp but instead came off as completely believable in a dystopian rock opera about the Bed Bug Armageddon. This show should be seen multiple times and if it were possible everyone should get a big raise :)

Of all the latest plays I’ve seen, bedbugs!!! surprisingly has been my favorite, and on top of that, it’s a musical. If you love campy, mutant musicals, this is the best of it’s genre!
I have never seen a show/​musical where the show was bigger than the venue. The show is so good it makes the entire place seem bigger than it really is. It’s hard to explain this feeling unless you see it. It was amazing. It feels like the theatre was too small to contain the energetic, flashy, and ‘big’ musical. But at the same time I am so happy that it’s at a small theatre because the show was so up close that it made it even more amazing. I couldn’t believe it is an Off-​Broadway show!
There were really no bad seats in the Arclight Theatre because the theatre is tiny. We sat in the second row so it felt like everything was happening right in front of us. AWESOME!
I knew nothing of this play when we decided to go see it because of the 20 at 20 promotion. So glad I convinced my bf to go see the play with me. He would have never believed how good the musical is if he didn’t go and see it for himself.
The evil Lord Cimex completely reminded me of Dr. Frank-​N-​Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I loved every character. The actress who played the mad scientist Carly is an amazing singer and actress. And I totally loved Dionne Salon played by Brian Charles Rooney.
I laughed through the entire show. It was the most entertaining and fun time I’ve had at a musical.
Because of the writeup from NY Times, Critic’s Pick, the show has been super popular.
Bedbugs!!! continues through Oct. 26, 2014 at the ArcLight Theatre. I suggest you run to see this show before it is gone. You gotta see it!!!

Great off-​Broadway production!
If you are a fan of «Little Shop of Horror» or «Rocky Horror Picture Show» then you will love this production.
The set is creative, the cast is great and the story is funny.
It is a limited engagement so go before it is gone!
Bedbugs!!! was originally presented in the 2008 NY Musical Theatre Festival.
Grace McLean (Carly), Chris Hall (Cimex) and Brian C. Rooney (Dionne Salon) were fantastic.
It is at the Arclight Theater on West 71 St. (a very unique theater!).
This play is worth seeing a second time!