Before starting I should say that I saw the original show in NYC in 2001 and enjoyed it. What made the stage show unique is that it provided quality musical theatre by nude actors, LIVE. The live quality gets the show a long way. Seeing it on film (with popcorn) is sort of odd.
I saw the film as part of the 2007 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and was surprised to find it to be a filmed version of the live show, taped in LA. The beginning of the film shows the cast members flaunting into the theatre while casually shedding their clothes in preparation for the show. Besides these and a few other cinematic flourishes, the movie version offers little new content or perspective. A treat for fans of the show are new arrangements, orchestrations, and musical settings of the familiar songs. (For example, the song "Nothing But The Radio On" is turned country.) What frustrated me most about the movie was the quality of the movie itself. This is a GREAT show and for posterity sake deserved a great adaptation. The film makers obviously hadn't have experience in filming a live performance. The production quality was more pornographic. The editing was choppy and the pre-recorded vocals were way too loud. The "special effects" were akin to those made by a novice film maker, fresh out of high school.
While the live show may be hard to see for some (especially in rural areas) the film can act as an acceptable substitute (like "Puppetry of the Penis). Most folks will go for the camp and penises. I just wish they were shown it in a prettier frame.
I saw the film as part of the 2007 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and was surprised to find it to be a filmed version of the live show, taped in LA. The beginning of the film shows the cast members flaunting into the theatre while casually shedding their clothes in preparation for the show. Besides these and a few other cinematic flourishes, the movie version offers little new content or perspective. A treat for fans of the show are new arrangements, orchestrations, and musical settings of the familiar songs. (For example, the song "Nothing But The Radio On" is turned country.) What frustrated me most about the movie was the quality of the movie itself. This is a GREAT show and for posterity sake deserved a great adaptation. The film makers obviously hadn't have experience in filming a live performance. The production quality was more pornographic. The editing was choppy and the pre-recorded vocals were way too loud. The "special effects" were akin to those made by a novice film maker, fresh out of high school.
While the live show may be hard to see for some (especially in rural areas) the film can act as an acceptable substitute (like "Puppetry of the Penis). Most folks will go for the camp and penises. I just wish they were shown it in a prettier frame.