‘50 shades’ mania hits Dayton Valentine’s weekend
By: Mary Kate Dorr – Asst. A&E Editor
Valentine’s Day is a holiday that receives extreme reactions year after year. There are the bitter “I’m dying alone with 15 cats” singles, the couples who already have their weddings planned and post kissing photos on social media and then there’s the rest of us who carry on with life as usual, be it with or without a significant other.
This Feb. 14, however, will be met with anticipation by women and men who have devoured E.L. James’ “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy as the first film hits theaters. Since, apparently, making a novel based on an X-rated dominant relationship into a movie doesn’t cross the line quite far enough, there now exists a musical parody version as well. “50 Shades! The Musical Parody” has left New York City and will show at Dayton’s Victoria Theater Feb. 17.
The musical parody centers around three girlfriends reading “Fifty Shades of Grey” as part of their book club, and the obsession they develop with the relationship between college student Anastasia Steele and unrealistically young and attractive corporate CEO Christian Grey. The affair between Steele and Grey comes to life in front of the book club as they consume the novel.
When I say the affair comes to life, it REALLY comes to life – with lots of leather. And whips and chains and masks and many other non-G-rated attributes.
For those unfamiliar with the novel, Steele and Grey meet as she is interviewing him for her student newspaper and embark on a twisted, disturbing relationship in which emotionally stunted Grey controls all aspects of Steele’s life. This includes working out with a personal trainer multiple times a week. For that reason alone, I refute the “Fifty Shades of Grey” obsession. Please give me the name of one woman who fantasizes about a man forcing her to go to the gym regularly. She doesn’t exist. And if she does, she’s lying. Sorry to disappoint.
This satire brings to life this weird and completely unrealistic affair through song, because some people just don’t know when to stop. Titles include “Could This Be the One,” “How Much Can I Take,” and, of course, “50 Shades!” In case you were wondering, every single one of them is listed as explicit on iTunes. I would include some of the lyrics to pique your interest even more, but sometimes my grandmother reads my articles so I’d really rather not.
The (censored) reviews promise a hilarious, exhilarating and sassy show. Personally, I read one chapter of the novel and am still slightly traumatized so I might pass, but you know, people must love it for a reason.
Ladies, in my opinion, this is a great alternative to dragging your boyfriend to the movie on Valentine’s Day because candlelit dinners are so overrated when you can watch a relationship much more dysfunctional than yours come to life via show tunes.
Tickets at the Victoria Theater range from $42-$47 and it is recommended for ages 18 and up. For more information regarding the show or tickets, please visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.