In The Grass Is Always Greener, The Bitter Sisters, played by Michelle Billingsly and Elizabeth Dowling, endeavor to work out their alleged sibling hostilities as their shrink recommended. Of course, the sisters, entertainers Milly and Tilly, choose to do so onstage. (Think the Sweeney Sisters from Saturday Night Live, but way more in need of anger management.) These young performers are talented and attractive. Each sings well, moves well, and they harmonize beautifully. Billingsly can be a real life Barbie doll, singing “Lovely” from Forum and Dowling can big-belt Amanda Mc Broom’s “Dieter’s Prayer” with the best of ‘em. “Bitter Sisters,” however is a tough row to hoe. The anger between the sisters often feels stagey rather than genuine. And the hour or so of sisterly carping could use softening; when we “hate” our siblings, it is ultimately because we love them, but they let us down. (The Sisters Bitter are still, well, bitter, over alleged boyfriend theft.) This is a love/hate relationship and we need more truth and balance between the two. There was a lot of foot stomping as each sister exited for a costume change (three seemed much). The show worked best when it had more heart and less shtick, as in “Nothing Really Happened” and a nostalgic “I’d Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Happy with Somebody Else).” “Peas in a Pod” from Grey Gardens was a smart close.
Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
January 24, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org
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