Back from the Future – I Mean Now… with Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales at Seattle Rep

Jinkx Monsoon at Seattle Rep (Nate Watters)

Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales Together Again, Again!
Seattle Rep
Through 6/23/24
 
Many people love drag shows around here and we have some high profile performers like Dina Martina, Ben de la Crème, and Scott Shoemaker’s Ms. Pak-Man character. They are beloved by their audiences. They are reliably talented performers with plenty of pizzazz. Sometimes, though, shows that are really funny for a while get worn out when stretched past the premise.
 
Such is the case with beloved ex-local, Jinkx Monsoon, and her talented music-composing side-kick, Major Scales. They are both fully capable performers, and if they weren’t they wouldn’t have achieved the notoriety and fame they’ve already achieved. Having enjoyed earlier iterations of their shows together, I was hopeful that their new show, Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales Together Again, Again!, would benefit from the heaps of different show business growth that has helped them hone their talents to a fierce shine.
 
Their new production’s gimmick is that they have been separated from each other for many years, with resentments and beefs galore, but now, in the year 2065, “the sun has exploded, a dystopian nightmare has been realized, and the world has been taken over by authoritarian lizard people,” (says the pr blurb) and maybe it’s time to reunite and bury their hatchets.
 
So, they are in their 80s and we are in our 80s and we’re all lorded over by these torturous lizards and are trying to forget the outside horror by being entertained. Maybe, though, they should have had some therapy sessions together, because their hidden resentments are not so hidden.
 
It’s pretty funny to watch Monsoon huff around in distaste when Scales does something to piss her off, which is often. They’re repertoire of many songs is way older than they are in this show, which is a bit odd, even when they perform them beautifully. And Monsoon’s pratfalls and physical comedy is wonderful.

Major Scales (Nate Watters)

I think we all love it when performers “break” and start laughing at each other, and that happens a fair amount, too, and that just indicates that they’re having a really good time on stage. They’re not bad at “playing 80,” either. No credit is given for costuming, but that was done really well.
 
It’s possible that they could have used a director – no credit for that role, either – or at least someone who could coach them into figuring out where to shorten and refine. If there was a critical eye, maybe they could have tightened the screws on themselves and taken some slack out in moving the story along. I suppose there is still time for that through the end of this run, if they wish.
 
There are, of course, jokes linked to Monsoon’s two-time appearances on Ru Paul’s Drag Race and on the (fake) fates of several famous drag personalities. If you know you know. If you don’t, oh well.
 
I am, and have been, a fan since I saw Monsoon years ago in a Book-It Repertory Theatre production. She has great star power and charisma galore. I had a pretty good time at the show! I just wish these talented performers could trust that people can be happier with a shorter, punchier show. If you don’t wear ‘em out, they’ll go home laughing. If you wear them out, they’ll go home a little wrung out and glad it’s over. Remember the phrase, “Leave ‘em wanting more?” Yeah, that’s the ticket.
 
For more articles and reviews, go to www.facebook.com/SeattleTheaterWriters. Please go to https://MiryamsTheaterMusings.blogspot.com and subscribe to get articles direct to your in-box!