Words: Berlyn Lee

4 Stars

A high camp, totally true historical (not fictionalized at all) musical romp about former best friends turned enemies, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci set in Italy during the Renaissance.

After realizing they’re both gay, Mike and Leo try to climb the artistic ranks to get into the good graces of the Pope and convince him to tell God that being gay is not a sin. Agreeing to “act straight” they attend art school and though they excel, you can’t get to the top just purely by talent – No, you gotta burn a few bridges along the way. As our two heroes attempt to market themselves, they’re none-the-wiser that the Catholic Knights, desperate to prosecute all the gays, are onto them.

The songs are ridiculous and loads of fun. Soon-to-be-classics, like my favourite, sung by an actress playing Marisa Tomei about not being such a “Pick Me Girl.” Sung to Michelangelo after messing up his relationship with Leonardo just to please a vaping Pope.

The set pieces, though they all look like simple Romanesque columns, function as desks, lounges, and tables. The cast is profoundly talented and seemed to just have tons of fun on the stage. The Gen Z references and mix of modern-and-ancient liven up this show and make it something really special and unique!

Pop Off, Michelangelo!
Gilded Balloon Patter House – Big Yin
18:30
Aug 21-26