Spank! A Fifty Shades Parody review

As I walked into the CPA to see Spank! A Fifty Shades Parody, I will admit to feeling a bit apprehensive attending the show solo.  I mean, I've read the the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, spent countless nights rereading certain pages, and I know the eyebrow raising, cheek flushing content that covers the pages of one of the fastest selling novels in history.  The recently announced movie cast has been the topic of conversation for months and here I am walking in alone to see the parody of one of the steamiest books in ages.  As I entered the university, amongst the throngs of people walking in as couples or groups, discussing their normal routine of work and family, I could sense the underlying expectation in their voices.  I make my way to will call, picking up my ticket for one, and slowly shuffle my way towards the theater.  Not thirty seconds after I pass the box office, I am greeted by a staff member selling chocolate treats in the shape of male anatomy, truly befitting to the tone of Fifty Shades of Grey. A minute after that, I came across the merchandise both, selling cleverly phrased t-shirts, handcuffs, whips and other items that shall not be named. This is where I forgot my trepidation, started giggling and did not stop for the duration of the show.

Once seated, our mood was enhanced by the heart pumping beats sounding throughout the theater, keeping the vibe flowing until curtain time. As the groups flooded in, clutching glasses of wine and water, with smiles on their face, I was pleased at the mix of men and women patrons, all looking satisfied at their presence.  The production began with a quick note for everyone to put their phones on "vibrate" which emitted the first delighted laugh of the night from the anticipating fans.  The curtain rose and Hugh Hanson, our leading man who is made in Christian Grey's likeness, takes the stage amidst a cloud of smoke, moving and shaking, and generating plenty of appreciative yells from the audience.  Natasha soon follows, in Anastasia's image, and EBJ, signifying the author of Fifty Shades, enters soon after.  The entire premise of the play is based on EBJ as a bored housewife who wants to create the ultimate romance novel and Hugh and Natasha's role is to act out each scene as she creates it.  Unlike the novel, Spank! used musical interludes to portray the steamiest moments of the books.  The audience was consumed with laughter as songs such as "Call me Maybe Modern Major General," "I Put A Spell on You" and Willy Wonka's "Pure Imagination" were turned into iconic moments such as Natasha's introduction into the red room of pain.  Enrique Iglesias', "I Can Be Your Hero Baby", was turned into, "I Can Be Your Master Baby", and had the audience in an uproar.  In an effort to portray Christian Grey's egotistical facade, the cast accomplished two feats in one with brief scenes involving Twilight characters, Batman and UFC, that successfully took a poke at today's culture and we, as an audience, collectively ate it up.  At the end of the two plus hours, I had laughed so hard my stomach hurt and left feeling thoroughly entertained and pleased to having seen such a succinctly written and well-cast show.

As I joined the cheerful crowd on our way out the door, I overheard only positive exclamations at the talent we had just witnessed.  I heard such utterings as "brilliant cast", "utterly hilarious" and "what an amazing night".  I spoke to a couple next to me to get their take and was delighted to find they were equally as pleased.  The woman had read all the books and we had a wonderful time discussing the play and the future movie.  She stated that the show was "completely different than what she expected in the fact that there were not a lot of props used and she loved that aspect".  She raved over the use of musical and dance numbers to convey the erotic details of the Fifty Shades novel and loved that they used such iconic songs as" Pure Imagination" mixed with pop culture.  The gentleman, having never read the books, was not quite sure what to expect and had complacently agreed to attend.  He thought the entire show was "incredibly entertaining" and laughed much harder and louder than expected.  All in all an impressive show and an enjoyable and somewhat naughty night for us all!