Hip, Hip Hooray

7 Redneck Cheerleaders reminds this theater cheerleader why she bothers.
by Andria Regan

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Last night, I found myself in one of those hole-in-the-wall, strip mall bars that sits between a 98-cent store and a coin op. The place reeked of dashed hopes and wasted potential, air circulating by drunken voices belting American idle dreams. And while this might seem the perfect setting for introspection—or a bout with depression—I was unaffected, giddy even. Butterflies chasséd inside my tummy, as I tried to convince my friends to see this little play I’d caught the other evening—in between cajoling them to sing a duet from Rent with me—and I gasped in sudden self diagnosis: I’m a theater geek.

It became quite clear, in fact, after seeing 7 Redneck Cheerleaders. I’d been hopped-up for days and fully-armed against the vices of Koreatown karaoke bars. Partially ashamed, partially relieved and in the strength and spirit of Lance Bass, I implore you to be open-minded and see this play; it will make a theater lover out of you—it was that good.

Louis Jacobs pens this semi-autobiographical delicacy of intellect and goof, spotlighting the talents of everyone involved. There’s no way anything mediocre could survive the demands of such grand aspiration. Each role is multi-cast, and each actor plays two characters (it’s a play within a play within a play). And while I’m unable to account for all 17 actors involved, the eight I did see on this particular night were absolutely outstanding. I’d be shocked if the same didn’t extend to the entire, rotating cast.

Ben (played by Louis Jacobs) portrays himself: a hopeful, if hesitant, playwright who’s encouraged to stage his work by his now-deceased aunt (she fell victim to a flubbed boob job). The play follows Ben through casting and turbulent rehearsals of his baby—a script about a hopeful redneck (Jeremy Glazer) who joins the cheerleading squad despite obvious objections by his foul-tempered father (David Fofi, who also acts as producing artistic director on stage as well as backstage). What makes me want to go see this production again is how each character weaves effortlessly through the multiple storylines. Everyone and everything is on point, and the production takes great care in creating clarity between characters and plots, which are all frick’n laugh-out-loud hilarious.

The main characters—inspired by the personalities you’ll find at any given casting call or Starbucks or really any afternoon stroll in Los Angeles—are sure to be long-time favorites of the actors who play them. It’s evident in how tight and excruciatingly good they all are: Each personality is played to the fullest. In fact, it left me wishing that time would move a bit slower just so I could enjoy them all a while longer.

Alexandra Hoover nails the character of “actress.” (You know, the kind whose biggest fan is herself.) Kerry Carney and Zibby Allen are exceptional as the two cheerleaders. Allen plays nice but dumb, as no doorknob can. And although the poor thing couldn’t quite keep a straight face during an assault that left her with the mug of a clown by the token dyke (Dylan Jones), she instantly won me over with the awkward delivery of lines and muttered squeaks. Carney plays the oversexed bully-to-all and I loved every minute she commanded the stage, shaping characters in a way that gives tired stereotypes the big middle finger. Glazer is perfectly adorable as the wannabe male cheerleader, slumping in teenage angst and drawl, rivaling Allen’s ditzy charm. And Darryl Armbruster plays the gay thespian/straight hick with the smooth glide of any well-lubricated rotating door.

This is a rare one, people. I’d strongly advise seeing it while you can; it’s easily the best production I’ve seen all year. The show is packed full of homegrown, insider humor, as well as the easy-to-get jokes that slay the entire audience: The production received a standing ovation by the standing-room-only crowd. Jacobs and company surpassed any expectation I had from the title alone, and they’re headed toward truly amazing things. It’s to your benefit that I’m a realized geek and can filter what a normal person will and won’t enjoy. Anyway, you’re the weird one if this doesn’t tickle your fancy. LAA

7 Redneck Cheerleaders is at the Elephant Theater through Sept. 2. For more information, visit www.elephantstageworks.com