Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In the cheekily titled THE SKIVVIES FIRST FAREWELL TOUR, the scantily-clad duo turns their attention to themselves

• By drediman
• April 19, 2023
• No Comments

Last Monday — on my off night from the theater — I attended a performance by The Skivvies at the subterranean Chelsea Table + Stage. Cheekily entitled The Skivvies First Farewell Tour, their latest cabaret act celebrates Nick Clearley and Lauren Molina’s longtime friendship and collaboration, chronicling highlights from the scantily clad duo’s two decade old relationship, beginning with their days as young musical theater performers in a TheaterWorksUSA tour back in 2003 (FYI, Molina can be currently seen in at the Public in Suzan-Lori Parks’ Plays for the Plague Year, which officially opened yesterday).

The show was a refreshing change of pace for the loveable duo, who here has put the focus squarely and deliberately on themselves (as opposed to playing host to their guests, which has become their primary M.O.). Along the way, they performed some of their biggest crowd-pleasing hits (how could they not?) — all of which exuded their now familiar stripped-down Broadway/pop sound — as well as provided their fans with some deep early cuts. But where the act truly endeared itself to me was in their fondly nostalgic recollections of their many adventures together over the years (an account involving an arrest was particularly amusing). Rarely have I seen such affection and appreciation between the two of them.

Throughout the evening — which also marked Molina’s birthday (yes, there was cake!) — they demonstrated their pantented blend of sexiness, playfulness, and professionalism, a combination that has made them beloved amongst audiences and performers alike, as well as recognizable fixtures in the cabaret circuit. The special guests that night were Broadway’s Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Krysta Rodriguez, both of whom embraced and relished the opportunity to perform — literally, tantalizingly in the flesh — custom-made medleys made specifically for the occasion. Despite being billed as their “first farewell tour”, the duo is scheduled to perform again next month.

RECOMMENDED

THE SKIVVIES FIRST FAREWELL TOUR
Cabaret
Chelsea Table + Stage
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
Closed