By Matthew Wexler
Little Island, that $260 million Hudson River charmer that’s attracting locals and tourists alike for its cultural programming, has dialed things up this season. First, we had Gospel at Colonus, which this critic called transcendent. And to close out the summer season, the venue presents a reimagining of Charles Ludlam’s rarely produced Galas.
Featuring countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo as “Maria Magdalena Galas” and co-starring performance artist Carmelita Tropicana and three-time Tony Award nominee Mary Testa, the production promises to invert Ludlam’s already ridiculous comedy. Director Eric Ting and choreographer Raja Feather Kelly unite to helm the production, with the open-air amphitheater and the Hudson River sunset taking the evening to the next level.
In a review of the production for the New York Times in 1983, critic Frank Rich wrote, “Mr. Ludlam is not interested in parodying femininity or doing a drag act but in getting honest laughs through precise physical business and flawless, slow-burn timing.” Costanzo will bring the vocal chops, undoubtedly, but Ludlam’s comic genius is another creative mountain to climb.
Little Island‘s producing artistic director Zack Winokur seems to know where and when to take risks, with an exhilarating boost to the venue’s programming since he arrived in 2024. As for Charles Ludlam, we hope he’s watching from above, witnessing just how healing being ridiculous can be.
Galas plays at Little Island from September 6 through 28.
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