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KISSing SpoofFrom: TheTelegraph.com Posted: April 25, 2008 The producers of the 1978 TV movie epic "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park" may have been hopped up on Scooby Snacks when they devised such a dismal flick. What's now considered a cult classic, the high-rating effort was troubled by a poor script, sub-par acting from the band and even gaffes like the clear appearance of ACE FREHLEY's black stunt double in one scene. In other words, this dreck is ripe for the simian handy work of Magic Smoking Monkey Theater. The offshoot of St. Louis Shakespeare chooses one film or TV train wreck or cult favorite per year to perform live on stage with a low budget and lots of nudges and winks to the audience. "It's like a rejected Scooby-Doo script," director Donna Northcott said of "Phantom of the Park." "At the end you half-expect to hear, ‘And I would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for you pesky KISS members.'" The movie aired 30 years ago on NBC, which was clearly trying to capitalize on the mega-success of KISS in the late '70s. While GENE SIMMONS' acting chops may have improved after stints on reality TV shows like "The Apprentice," it's clear that KISS as a whole was much stronger on the concert stage than in front of the camera. "It's one of those that you watch with the remote control in hand to keep pausing and say, ‘What the hell did they just do?'" Northcott said. In the movie, a diabolical amusement park inventor, Abner Devereaux, decides to create human clone robots in an act of revenge, including fake KISS members. The KISS boys, of course, have super powers to match their on-stage personas. "Demon" Simmons, played here by Wood River's Chris "Mr." Jones, breathes fire and is a tough guy; "Space Ace" Frehley (Collin Preciado) can teleport and shoot lasers from his hands; PETER CRISS, the "Catman," (Ben Ritchie) can leap like a feline and "Starchild" PAUL STANLEY (Jim Ousley), besides sporting intoxicating chest chair, can shoot a mind-controlling eye beam. Is it any surprise this was produced by Hanna-Barbara? This being a fast and furious Monkey show - past efforts include "Plan 9 from Outer Space," "The Love Boat" and "Speed Racer" - a major hurdle was the make up involved. Northcott said the four guys playing KISS are doing their own, and as of Wednesday had improved on their initial application time of 45 minutes. "All the actors who play band members are members of the KISS Army, so they know how to apply the correct make up," she said. Alas, the songs will not be performed live, but ala Memorex. "We can't hope to do justice to the original band members," Northcott said. Songs from "Phantom" include hits like "Rock and Roll All Night" and Criss' heartfelt tribute to his then-wife, "Beth." Northcott said costume designer Lisa Beke had part of her work cut out for her, too. "We always have a lot of '60s and '70s items in our wardrobe warehouse ....... but it's harder to find unitards and stockings in male sizes at second hand stores." A challenge of re-creating some of these "classic" films of the past is the fact that most of the interesting roles go to men - except for something like "Valley of the Dolls," Northcott said. Drag casting could have been possible, since the singer for the all-little person KISS tribute band, Mini KISS, is a woman. "We didn't want it to be about drag; Gene performs in drag essentially anyway and that would have been one too many levels of complexity," Northcott added. As of this writing, the Monkeys had two more days to work out the kinks in the show, and Northcott said some special effects were in the works. She's particularly pleased with the scenes at KISS' groovy pad. And it wouldn't be a Monkey show without a tease for the future. A live "commercial" for the infamous "Star Wars Holiday Special" will also be part of the performance. Northcott said that show is on the short list for future Monkey treatment, and it does contain some juicier roles for women, like Carrie Fisher, Harvey Korman in drag and Bea Arthur - with the latter potentially being available to a female or male actor. "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park" will be performed at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and May 2 and 3 at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar, University City, Mo. Tickets are $15 and available through Metrotix at metrotix.com or by calling (800) 293-5949. Visit http://stlshakespeare.org/MONKEY/ for more information. |
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