If you are involved with or have an interest in Adelaide community musical theatre and have not heard the name Lindsay Prodea, then you are not really involved with or have an interest in Adelaide community musical theatre. Prodea has extensive experience in musical theatre growing from a member of ensembles to minor roles to second lead roles to lead roles. 2024 saw him take on the roles of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys and Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz and winning the Adelaide Critics Circle Award for his body of work and earning a Theatre Association of South Australia nomination for Best Performer in a Musical. So now seems an appropriate time to take the reins and perform his own solo cabaret show. He’s done just that with a BANG!!
A Friend Of Dorothy is as glittery as Prodea’s many costumes and as sparkling as his personality. The show celebrates queer culture throughout the ages in songs and stories featuring many, many queer icons (some of who were a surprise to this reviewer) and encompassing the LGBTQAI+ movement; plus Prodea’s personal coming out and experiences. The title refers to the code phrase used to identify fellow gay men – rather like the green carnation sported by Oscar Wilde in the 19th Century.
The show starts with Prodea entering through the audience in a dazzling disco ball like jacket singing what is perhaps the definitive gay Pride anthem, Jerry Herman’s I Am What I Am from La Cage Aux Folles and then segueing into Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now, showing in just those two numbers alone the versatility and range of Prodea’s voice. Speaking of segueing songs – with a song list of 38 songs quite a few medleys are required and these are handled expertly in the hands of Peter Johns as Musical Director and on keys, assisted by the brilliant band; Jack Barton (Drums), Louis Cann (Bass) and Mykaela McQueen (Guitar). It must be noted here also that the sound quality was perfect – we could hear every lyric from Prodea clearly.
The large song list is a plethora of numbers written and/or performed by queer icons and everyone of them a true Pride anthem. Even a certain little green frog gets a look in!
Prodea has fun with the format, as do the audience. But, when the emotional moments come, such as the 80s HIV/AIDS epidemic, they are handled beautifully and with respect. Cabaret shows need to be personal to the performer and this one certainly is; it is well researched and Prodea doesn’t hold back about growing up queer, but in an overall humorous way. He certainly knows how to entertain and his bubbly personality is just infectious and buoys the audience up beyond the rainbow.
There are costume changes galore (this reviewer wants the classy, sophisticated “Cole Porter” jacket) aided by Prodea’s partner and Manager Matthew Liersch. These are fun to watch while Prodea just keeps smoothly singing. On Opening Night there was some fun with trying to get a rather tight little number fastened and if this was a mistake it needs to stay in the show – it was hilarious. Speaking of hilarious, Kate Bush will never be the same again!
A note about the venue: Plant 4 Bowden is an excellent Fringe venue and Curator Michelle Pearson needs to be congratulated for presenting shows featuring great local South Australian talent only.
A Friend Of Dorothy is everything good cabaret should be and Lindsay Prodea is everything a class act of a performer should be. You may or may not leave the show as a friend of Dorothy, but you will definitely leave as a friend of Prodea.