PrideArts: Throbbin Wood Review
The cast of Throbbin Wood
PrideArts Presents THROBBIN WOOD Review - Off to the Well Hung Got-Wood Forest
TLDR: Another campy fairy-tale pantomime that is anything but family friendly, PrideArts tells the tale of Throbbin Wood, a parody of the ye old English outlaw Robin Hood. The cast “comes” together to deliver lots of current pop songs and dirty jokes all the while getting the audience involved to play along.
Ryder McDaniel (Left) and Bryan Fowler (Right). Center Back Row L-R: Freddy Mauricio, Kyle Johnson, Jackson Anderson, Jack Gordon. Center Front Row L-R: Danielle Bahn, Emma Robie, Neill Kelly
PrideArts Holiday Pantomime Tradition Continues
Coming to us this holiday season is another parody show designed after the traditional British holiday pantomimes over across the pond. This time as we enter the PrideArts space, it looks like we’re entering a forest. The back wall is painted with woodsy leaves and a pillared archway painted like trees with fairy lights strung between them. The floor is painted like worn and mossy gray stones and adds to the medieval feel. As we turn to look at the control booth up in the right corner, we can’t miss a large, spotlit WANTED poster hanging underneath with Throbbin Wood’s glamour mugshot.
A PrideArts member welcomes us to this afternoon’s show and clues us in on a few call and responses for us to yell at various cast members. When creepy bad guy music is played, we’re encouraged to boo and hiss at the evil Sheriff wanting us to pay taxes (boo!). But when bright, sparkly music comes on, that means the good fairy, Fairy Glitter-ous, is going to enter and we like her (yay!). It gets us ready and keeps us on our toes to pay attention during the show and not miss our cues.
Bulges, Double Entendres, and Dick Jokes Abound
Throbbin Wood played by Bryan Fowler leads his troupe of Horny Men on his quest to save Maid Marian (Emma Robie) all dressed in various earth tones but with one key defining feature. They proudly thrust their bulges like badges of honor to be part of the Horny Men. Little Jonnie (Jackson Anderson) is anything but little. Kyle Johnson as the bard Anal-A-Dale does some impressively flexible moves. And Triar Fuck (Jack Gordon) meets his match with the incomparable and equally as horny Nanny Fanny, played by the Neill Kelly.
In between the quest to save Maid Marian, Fanny and Fairy Glitter-ous (Danielle Bahn) tease each other. Fanny mocks her little “accident” Silly Willy (Freddy Mauricio). We eagerly yell out “Fuck you!” at Silly Willy, who then flips us the bird back and affectionately tells us to fuck ourselves as well. Fowler strikes his superman pose ready to be the hero of the story. And Ryder Dean McDaniel laughs deeply and menacingly as the Sheriff, relishing in his evilness.
Jack Gordon as Triar Fuck and Neill Kelly as Nanny Fanny
An Excuse To Sing Chappell Roan
The Chappell Roan phenomenon (read as: femini-nomenon) is still going strong and hits the PrideArts stage with a few choice covers. We’re lucky enough to visit the Pink Pony Pub here in Got-wood forest where Fairy Glitter-ous graces us with her rendition of “Pink Pony Club.” Maid Marian claims the stage accompanied by her back-up singers, Nanny Fanny and Silly Willy. They break out the rabbit vibrators for their Chappell moment singing “Red Wine Supernova.”
But that’s not the only pop culture reference thrown into the mix. We’re treated to more current pop songs and a few 80s ballads that have these actors singing as dramatically as they can.
Danielle Bahn as Fairy Glitter-ous (center), with Kyle Johnson, Jackson Anderson, Neill Kelly, Jack Gordon, and Freddy Mauricio
The After Party Thoughts
Another solid dirty pantomime from PrideArts. I always enjoy getting to yell out “Fuck you!” at one of the characters in good jest. It felt like there were a few call and responses that my audience didn’t pick up on the afternoon we went though. I’m not sure if that was because we missed the explanation during the fast paced action or we were meant to just pick up on it. And a few other scenes felt like they were eating up time more so than advancing the plot, but hey, it’s not so much about the plot anyway. Other than that, the cast looked like they were having fun being as over-the-top as they could and interacting with us out in the audience.
For those that are not fans of campy, silly parodies this show would not be a good fit for you. But if you’re in the market for a not at all family friendly holiday show parodying a classic fairytale and love audience participation, Throbbin Wood would be a good fit for you.
RECOMMENDED
Neill Kelly as Nanny Fanny, Emma Robie as Maid Marian, Freddy Mauricio as Silly Willy
When
Now through December 15, 2024
Where
PrideArts
4139 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60613
Run Time: 2:10 including a ten minute intermission
Tickets
$35+
Tickets can be purchased through the PrideArts website
Photos
Logan and Candice Conner, Oomphotography
CAST
Bryan Fowler (Throbbin Wood)
Emma Robie (Maid Marian)
Danielle Bahn (Fairy Glitter-ous)
Neill Kelly (Nanny Fanny)
Ryder Dean McDaniel (Sheriff/King Dick)
Freddy Mauricio (Silly Willy)
Jackson Anderson (Little Jonnie)
Jack Gordon (Triar Fuck)
Kyle Johnson (Anal-A-Dale)
Elyssa Trevino (u/s Maid Marian and Fairy Glitter-ous)
Cammerron Baits (u/s Triar F*ck and Nanny Fanny)
Jeremy Cox (u/s Silly Willy, Anal-A-Dale, and Little Jonnie)
Kyle Johnson (u/s Throbbin Wood)
Jackson Anderson (u/s Sheriff)
CREATIVE
Tom Whaley (Playwright)
Taylor Pasche (Director)
Chad Gearig (Music Director)
Jen Cupani (Choreographer)
Hayley Wallenfeldt (Scenic Designer)
Victoria Jablonski (Costume Designer)
Jack Goodman (Lighting Designer)
Val Gardner (Sound Designer)
Annaleigh Stone (Props Designer)
Lana Whittington (Fight and Intimacy Choreographer)
Caitlin Preuss (Assistant Director and Assistant Choreographer)
Corbin Paulino (Stage Manager)
Emily Kelly (Assistant Stage Manager)
Tseela Sokolin-Maimon (Technical Director)
Lea Davis (Lead Electrician)