REVIEW: Justin Bond @ The Triple Door presented by Paula, the Swedish Housewife. One night only, Thursday, March 18 2010
Everybody who is anybody (and even a few people who are just somebody) in Gay Seattle was at The Triple Door last night to see Justin Bond’s new show “Angels of the Morning: The Ladies of AM Radio” his musical salute to the iconic pop songs of the 70’s sung by the iconic ladies of 1970’s pop music: Helen Reddy, Karen Carpenter, Carly Simon, and even a few non-ladies like The Band and Starland Vocal Band (which was half-ladies). Dressed in a simple Pucci-esque dress and crowned by Marianne Faithful’s cast-off wig, Mx Bond’s (the Mx is his preferred designation…a MiX of the femme and the homme, so to speak) combination of stories and songs delivered in his trademark honeyed husk of a voice commanded the stage for nearly two hours and despite losing his place in the show twice, with the same story, he never lost his composure or the attention of his audience. A casual shrug and a confession of “well, I fu**ed that up!” and Bond had the audience in the palm of his hand and managed to turn a mistake into a very funny running gag. Backed by a band of very experienced local musicians, Bond’s natural loopy charm, witty candor and fiercely unapologetic political incorrectness captivated the very liberal and arty crowd who refused to let him leave the stage; they demanded an encore and got one. Also a crowd pleaser was Bond’s duet with local theatre Superstar Nick Garrison who jumped up on stage to partner with Mx Bond on “Afternoon Delight”. Other luminaries spotted: composer/Dina Martina pianist Chris Jeffries, Three Dollar Bill’s Rachael Brister, and I think Grady West, aka Dina Martina was there but I can never be sure because I never recognize Mr West out of character…he’s just a regular guy when he’s not squeezed into Dina’s too small for her crotch polyester jumpsuits and clown college make-up…
And, the lovely Paula, the Swedish Housewife, the producer/presenter of the night’s show was on hand to introduce Justin Bond and to remind the audience that the show was the first show of her Seattle theatrical season, and the next, Immodesty Blaize and Burlesque Undressed will headline at The Triple Door next Tuesday, March 23. Check it out…just going to The Triple Door and luxuriating in the lush decor and sinfully good food from The Wild Ginger are worth the price of admission…
As for Mx Bond, according to his Twitter postings, he hung out at Pony after the show and had a wonderful time…Pony has quickly become the “After Show Party” venue for visiting queer and alternative artists…I’ll remember that the next time I go to a show, and won’t head home for a quick snack, a viewing of “Jacques and Julia” and off to bed at 11.30…I’m also vowing to see anything and everything Justin Bond brings to Seattle because you should always support National Treasures!
-Michael Strangeways
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
