Through June 11, MOXIE and Diversionary Theatres co-produce Patricia Kane’s “Pulp!” It is a screamingly funny, well-performed comic melodrama that spoofs lesbian pulp fiction of the 1950s. The most refreshing thing about the piece is the utter sincerity of the actors ” some of San Diego’s most beautiful and versatile performers ” who sing, vamp and play all types, from lipstick lesbian to bull dyke, as directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg and Jason Southerland. Shulamit Nelson’s costumes are to die for. David Weiner’s set and Chris Walsh’s lighting design effectively take one to sweltering Chicago, circa 1956. The action takes place in The Well, a notorious female hangout, Cheers-type bar with entertainment provided by the staff. Texas-raised Terry Logan (Jo Anne Glover at her funniest) has just been kicked out of the WACs for fiddling with a commissioned officer’s willing daughter. Pepper, the kindly bartender, rents her the upstairs apartment in return for her joining the wait staff, composed of Sarge (Terri Park) herself, and Bing (Jessica John), who soon seduces the not-reluctant Terry. Terry stays interested until the return of the leggy boss, Vivian Blaine (Liv Kellgren), then falls for her big time. It’s a plot as tawdry and predictable as the genre, performed like period films of the time, complete with melodramatic entrances and departures, spotlighted like a lead-in to the next chapter. It’s like Mildred Pierce meets Sharon Stone. Straight and gay audience members of both sexes laughed themselves silly Sunday evening, May 14. Diversionary may be San Diego’s gay and lesbian theater company, but this is a comedy for every adult with a sense of humor.Following the performance, my friend asked which of the women was really gay and which straight. I told him that I didn’t know and didn’t care. The MOXIE gals do their usual excellent work. That’s all that matters, folks.”Pulp!” continues in all its glorious rags at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, through June 11 at Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. For information and tickets. visit www.diversionary.org or call (619) 220-0097.
