I admit it. I went to see a performance of “Marvelous” in San Francisco.
“Marvelous” is a parody strip show that originated in Australia. I first heard about it on Instagram a year or so ago. It has both male and female performers, so it isn’t specifically a show for gay men. But the clips they post on Instagram focus on the men.
They brought the show to San Francisco, and will then move to Los Angeles at the end of the month. The SF venue was located in Chinatown. Parking was tight, and I ended up at one of those lots where you leave the keys and they stack the cars. I was told it closes at 10:00 p.m. and I could be locked out if I arrived late. Uh-Oh!
I was surprised the venue was full (capacity is 500). The crowd looked like an even split of gay men and straight couples. The set pieces were too large for the stage and couldn’t be rolled completely off. Because of that, they partially blocked projections on the back wall.
I wish I could say the show was fun. I’ve been to a few “Broadway Bares” events in NYC, and they were more polished than this (and sexier).
A Deadpool character narrated the show. The show opened with a bit involving Thor in a fat suit doing an aerial pole dance. The audience seemed to love it (especially the four gay guys seated behind me).
The next number involved a female Toni Stark building an Iron-Man suit. She eventually strips to a garter belt and pasties. Then another number with 4 Iron Maidens. THEN a number with a female Thor (more pasties). I think there were two shirtless background male dancers - they only barechested men in the entire first act. And there was another number involving Black Widow which also ended with her in a garter belt and pasties.
Then a not very funny magical act involving Dr. Strange (he kept his clothes on) and his female assistants ended up with pasties.
Deadpool had a bit where he stripped off his clothes to reveal a rubber suit underneath - all the flesh scared as in the comic. He had a big rubber d#ck and b*lls which flopped quite a bit.
THEN a way too long musical number involving Wanda - she sang, but the musical was so loud, I couldn’t understand anything she said. END OF ACT ONE.
I was bored…
In the video clips I’ve seen of the show, they mostly focused on Captain America in various stages of undress. And a dance with Bucky. I recognized the Cap performer… as cute as in the videos… but apparently they were saving his shirtless scenes for act two.
The intermission went on too long. Act two hadn’t started by 9:10. If it ran 45 minutes, it would be difficult for me to get to the parking lot by 10:00. I decided, rather than try and leave before the end of the show (I was in the middle of an aisle) … I just decided to leave at intermission.
I don’t “need” to see naked or semi-naked men. I’ve seen plenty in my life. I thought the show might be fun. It wasn’t.
(I hope the performers enjoy their tour of California. Traveling with a show must be exhausting. The show wasn’t to my tastes.)
