There are moments of inspired lunacy in the new homegrown musical revue “SF Follies”: a maniacal sea lion and a crazed combination of ubiquitous movie critic Jan Wahl and historic Playland character Laughing Sal.
While writer-director-producer John Bisceglie doesn’t necessarily invite comparisons with The City’s higher-rent granddaddy of the genre, “Beach Blanket Babylon,” his “Follies” does have a few big hats, glittering costumes and songs in which lyrics of pop tunes are switched out to funny local effect.
Topical humor: San Francisco’s “green” programs are among the many subjects whimsically ridiculed in “SF Follies.” Courtesy Photo
You’ve got to admire a show that boasts a lengthy “hit list” and dares to denigrate sacred cows from the Exploratorium and Coit Tower to Mitchell’s ice cream, Father Junipero Serra and the Ohlone Indians — even though the jokes sometimes don’t work.
Onstage through April 26 at Actors Theatre in San Francisco, “Follies” is an ambitious undertaking, offering up The City’s colorful history — at times it’s even educational! — via silly song and dance.
It’s most effective lampooning modern times. Among the effervescent ensemble, Brett Hammon stands out as a slick Mayor Gavin Newsom, singing a snappy altered version of “Popular” from “Wicked.”
Newsom’s city programs parodied well in songs like “Cash Not Care,” featuring a homeless mermaid (Jujuana Sharon Williams) complete with a shopping cart.
The show’s best number features Midwesterners new in town attempting to buy a house, navigating neighborhoods (a quick-as-wink depiction of the death-dark Sunset, to “Sunrise, Sunset,” is a crack-up among many in the song) and crazy real estate prices.
Even with the fun fast takes, though, there are some misses.
When the singers begin to break into the “Wonder Woman” theme following a serious mention of the Harvey Milk and George Moscone assassinations, expectation mounts — just how are Bisceglie and his team of clever costumers going to take down former Mayor Dianne Feinstein and her big hair and blouses with bows?
Instead, she disappointingly comes out as one of the jumpsuit-clad ladies from “Mamma Mia!” joined by Barbara Boxer and Nancy Pelosi characters in the same outfit.
Similarly, The City’s oft-revered “Summer of Love” doesn’t receive the digs it deserves, represented only by generic hippies. Where’s Jerry Garcia or Bill Graham?
And certainly Willie Brown could be identified by something more than being the only person who can afford to live in The City.
Bisceglie has said his goal is to retool the show and move it to a permanent space for an open-ended run. Delightfully energetic, he’s well on his way.
With a few embellishments — how about a few words about Barry Bonds or Barry Zito, the battling Board of Supervisors or the celebrity chefs of San Francisco? — “SF Follies” could become a longtime treat for locals and tourists alike.
