Most people of my generation remember "Debbie Does Dallas" as a porno flick. But how many of my readers also know it was an Off Broadway play, where the sex has been stripped out and replaced by the addition of music?
"Debbie" got its start at the New York Fringe festival. Years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing this play at the Jane Theater. If I remember correctly, the play moved to a larger theater, to accommodate the many people who flocked to the theater to have a great laugh. Sadly, by the time I was able to convince a then girlfriend to see the play, it was closing. Luckily, I have the soundtrack from the play and was playing it at the office while I performed my mindless tasks.
One of the highlights of the play is the song "Small Town Girl", where Debbie sings about her hopes and fears as she's about to go into her future. With the exception of the mention of the Cheerleader uniform and its colors towards the end of the song, it could have been sung in any Broadway musical.
Would I pay to see this musical if it were staged by a professional company? Yes! All of the set ups for sex scenes are left in, the sex taken out, and the inane lines from the original film will make any adult laugh out loud. Even now, I can remember the setup for what would have been a lesbian sex scene, and the last line uttered before a scene break: "I love it when you help me stretch." Yes, you'd have to see the performers to get the joke. But it got everyone laughing.
With all that we've gone though in the past 2 years, this play might be just what we need to get the laughs needed to make it through the day.
I want to do Debbie again!!!!
