Being a superhero isn’t just about courage in the face of danger, wearing spandex, or saving the lives of mere mortals. Sometimes it’s also about drug addiction, daddy issues and stopping a pesky would-be reality-television star from destroying the city. Set the whole thing to song and you’ve got Superhero Celebrity Rehab: The Musical, a Fringe Festival comedy all about beating your inner demons and finding a higher superpower.
Filled with pithy one-liners and catchy, if not entirely memorable songs, Superhero Celebrity Rehab follows the story of Supernova, a cocky, cape-wearing hero with a coke habit. After botching a rescue of a reality television producer, Supernova and his beloved pet turtle, Thunder, wind up at Origins rehabilitation center. But this isn’t just any old rehab—this is superhero rehab, filled with other caped crusaders battling their own addictions.
There’s Scarlet Letter, an over-the-hill temptress; the cripplingly anxious Critter, the enigmatic Nightmare; the Night Stallion; and the Great Fondue, a morbidly obese lover of pop tarts. Under the tutelage of Dr. Bonnie, herself a recovering heroine with a heroin addiction, the motley group tackle their issues in a musical group therapy.
Smartly written and performed, Superhero Celebrity Rehab is genuinely hilarious and, occasionally, sweetly poignant. The musical numbers are enjoyable enough, though the cast’s spot-on timing often overshadows their vocal abilities—but not necessarily in a bad way. While the premise may be delightfully ridiculous and the set and musical accompaniment sparse, it’s hard not to find yourself rooting for these flawed misfits in between the songs and laughter.
Superhero Celebrity Rehab: The Musical
Remaining performances:
Thursday, July 19 at 7:45 p.m.
Sunday, July 22 at 12 p.m.
At GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th Street NW, second floor.
