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*The Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles is the setting for an unorthodox performance art musical extravaganza chronicling 24 decades of American history through music and satire from the one and only, Taylor Mac. One hour is dedicated to each decade; meaning the entire performance lasts 24 hours, broken out into four six-hour performances on March 15, 17, 22 and 24.
The opening night performance of “A 24 Decade History of Popular Music” on March 15, covered the period of 1776 – 1836. The performance began with the first of 246, yes 246 songs to be sung during the 24 hours, the American Revolution and then “Yankee Doodle Dandy” with a twist. The subject of female oppression was next on the agenda, followed by the temperance movement.
The evening was very interactive. The audience was given apples to bite, a la Adam and Eve, beers to drink and ping pong balls; yes, the audience played beer pong as well as participated in an attempt to clothe “toddlers” running through the audience longing to be free; after all, according to Taylor Mac, America was founded on hating Congress, misinterpreting Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”, making things (knitters were seated onstage), loving black hair, forgiving the oppressor and vilifying outsiders. The goal of each decade was to find something unifying and usually it was the music, which I really enjoyed.
The art-installation costumes, one for each decade, designed by Machine Dazzle, are very elaborate. Because there are no intermissions, yes six hours and no breaks, there are times when Taylor Mac changes costumes behind a screen onstage. Not only was Taylor Mac’s voice solid and powerful, so was the 24-piece band, directed by Matt Ray. Speaking of the band; it loses one member each hour, until Taylor Mac is left alone at the end of the 24 hours.
Using the word “production” would be accurate to describe “A 24-Decade of Popular Music.” The costumes, the lighting, the staging, the music, the singing, the audience participation, the Dandy Minions running through the audience and the knitters on stage, all made Part 1 come alive beautifully.
Part 2 on March 17 will cover 1836 – 1896, when Walt Whitman and Stephen Foster go head-to-head for Father of the American song, which includes a civil rights reenactment, an escape on the Underground Railroad, among other things.
Part 3 on March 22 will cover 1896 – 1956, which features Coming to America…family life in a Jewish tenement, speakeasies, the zoot suit, a war to end all wars and white people fleeing the cities.
Part 4, the final performance on March 24 will cover 1956 to the present and will feature Bayard Ruskin’s March on Washington, the cold war and a community under siege, which builds itself into a movement.
If you want a night of both wild entertainment and an off the beaten path history lesson, check out one of the remaining Taylor Mac shows at the Theatre at Ace Hotel. One more thing…Taylor Mac is a drag queen and although I enjoyed the performance, it is not for everyone. If you love great entertainment and are not the “shoot the messenger” type, this show is one to see.
For Information: (310) 825-2101, cap.ucla.edu.
Marilyn Smith is a Los Angeles based reviewer/writer. Contact her via [email protected].
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