‘Devil Boys from Beyond’ is wacky fun with a message

A delightful campy romp, "Devil Boys from Beyond" is holiday cheer without the fa-la-la.

Something strange is going on in a Florida swamp, as reports of aliens landing in flying saucers make their way to a New York newspaper, and a team descends on Lizard Lick.

This spoof of 1950s sci-fi B-movies seems tailor-made for riffing by the "Mystery Science Theater 3000" guys, perfect mindless late-night fare to decompress by.

Wackiness ensues, courtesy of a stellar cast, in the Stray Dog production of the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival Overall Winner for Outstanding New Play, which went on to a successful off-Broadway run. Playwrights Buddy Thomas and Kenneth Elliott have written wonderfully witty, snappy banter and outlandish humorous situations.

The tight ensemble has the rhythm and timing of a sketch on “The Carol Burnett Show” and “Saturday Night Live,” flamboyantly milking every soap opera-ish plot detail and exaggerating expressions.

Sarajane Alverson is plucky Matilda Van Buren, a Rosalind Russell-type reporter for the New York Bugle, sent to investigate the happenings, along with ex-husband Gregory Graham, an alcoholic photographer, played by Steve Peirick. Their blustery boss, Gilbert Wiatt, played intensely by Jon Hey, is expecting front-page headlines.

A love triangle develops when Mattie's rival, Lucinda Marsha, hilariously played by Michael Baird in drag, re-enters the scene after cheating with Graham. Temptress Lucinda has secrets of her own.

Lizard Lick's denizens aren't cooperating with the press, Florence Wexler, a sassy, sexy full-figured woman, is played by Michael Juncal channeling Divine, the John Waters' irreverent star, who is hiding the truth, Daffy motel proprietor Dotty Primrose, played by SIUE graduate Teryl Thurman, isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Brandon Brendel and Ryan Wiechmann portray two visiting aliens.

Director Gary F. Bell has sharply directed this ensemble, who look like they are having a lot of fun, and ensured that everything is over-the-top.

The production benefits from outstanding technical work — Tyler Duenow's crisp lighting design, Justin Been's technical direction, and Eileen Engel's sublime vintage costume design.

It's a different sort of sugarplum confection, and one with a message of tolerance and kindness too. It will make you feel merry and bright.

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 4:32 AM with the headline "‘Devil Boys from Beyond’ is wacky fun with a message."