(OUTscene NW) Seattle REP's "Lizard Boy" is a 'Work in Progress'; But a Great Gay Geeky Fantasy!

Alabastro Photography.

by MK Scott

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of seeing a World Premiere show in the tradition of Super modern/Comic book Genre like Bono's "Spiderman" on Broadway or as timeless of O'keefe's "Bat Boy", the Musical that made it to Off Broadway. I also see the queerness and awkwardness of "Hedwig".

"Lizard Boy", currently at the Seattle Rep is written, composed and performed by Justin Huertas, about a Young Gay Man in Seattle who had a horrific childhood and survived being to too close to the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, that led to scaly green skin and the legend of "Lizard Boy" was born.


Feeling lonely, Trever/Lizard Boy meets Cary (William A. Williams) off of GRINDR and is looking for more than just sex. Cary is a Acoustic crooner, Philip Phillips with the cuteness of a Lance Bass type. Trevor comes across a copy of the "The Stranger" and a picture of the woman that is haunting his dreams is on the cover and is performing at the Crocodile. The woman, Siren (Kirsten deLohr Helland), is a Courtney Love with a little Debbie Harry tries to seduce Trevor, but is rejected placed in the 'Fag Hag' role.

It turns out Siren is the villain and has killed all the survivors for their powers and Trevor is next. So Cary is the bait and Trevor must do battle without know what his power is.

Alabastro Photography.

The Music is acoustic and raw, like from "Spring Awakening" and "RENT".

All 3 Play the instruments and sing. Huertas manages to sing, dance and play cello at the same time, while portraying a humanoid reptile with cryptic powers and a Woody Allen-ish bundle of neuroses. The Director (Brandon Ivie) cleverly employs minimal props and handmade effects in his antic staging, which integrates musical numbers with the cast adeptly juggling ukulele, cello, piano, kazoo riffs and dandy vocal harmonies.

Even when “Lizard Boy” stops making sense, which is quite often, its writer-composer-star is a charmer. Williams is in his underwear a lot and is quite attractive.

All the Seattle references are great, but how will it work outside of Seattle and outside of a fringe stage. The Music is terrific, but the story needs a universal theme to take it beyond the Pacific NW.

Throughout the show, the audience had no reaction, but during the curtain call, it was a standing ovation. That says something to this gifted composer and an amazing cast.

"Lizard Boy" continues through April 26 @ Seattle Repertory Theatre, click here for TIX!