Mommie Dearest

To die for, that's what this Charles Busch comedy is. Coy Covington is the man in the dress as glam chanteuse Angela Arden, circa 1967. Or is it really Angela's twin sister Barbara in that hot pink hostess gown? Director Andi Allen gets her great cast into gear in a show in which no gesture is too exaggerated. Spoofing the styles of grand old movie stars past their prime—think Barbara Stanwyck, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford or Susan Hayward trying to seem hip in the hippie era—this is queer comedy á la mode. Keeping up with Covington are Cameron McElyea as a Peter Lawford-y tennis pro, Jim Johnson (looking like Phil Silvers) as Angela's husband, Chad Peterson as a cross-dressing, LSD-dropping son, Leslie Patrick as murderous daughter Edie and Nancy Sherrard as the crazed housekeeper. Big snaps to costumer Suzy Shankle for creating a wardrobe for Angela that gets its own round of applause on every big reveal. Through May 6 at Uptown Players, Trinity River Arts Center, 2600 N. Stemmons (at Motor Street). 214-219-2718.
Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Starts: April 13. Continues through May 6