Moxie Theatre is staging a campy musical about theater and movies with a cast that includes one of San Diego’s best-known critics as — a critic.
“Ruthless” is a cult classic in which housewife Judy Denmark and her beautiful and talented 8-year-old daughter Tina will do whatever it takes — including murder — to get the lead in a school play. The spoof won the New York Outer Critics Circle Award in 1993 for Best Off Broadway Musical.
Pat Launer, Times of San Diego’s theater critic, is cast as critic Lita Encore, and sings “I Hate Musicals” in her part. Launer was a performer earlier in her career, and seized this “once a decade” opportunity.
“Playing a critic was an offer too good to turn down,” Launer said. “She’s a lot nastier and more caustic — all in the name of ‘honesty’ — than I am. She even gives her beloved granddaughter a harsh review!”
Launer praised the directing team of Leigh Scarritt and Delicia Turner Sonnenberg for bringing “Ruthless” to life.
“Their personalities and approaches are vastly different, but they complement each other perfectly. It’s been an exciting experience to watch both of them at work,” Launer said. “And the cast — including 15 kids, from age 7 on up — is fantastic. The show is a hoot, and the people involved are so talented and fun. It’s been a blast.
The play opens July 10 and runs through Aug. 7. Performances are Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 10 p.m. Tickets ($30) are available at www.moxietheatre.com.