Milch

What I liked

Lauren Faulkner commands the stage as the madame. Her comedic timing and strong vocals set the stage for a premise that is equal parts strong and baffling. The first number feels most coherent and does well drawing the audience into the interesting world of Milch. Story-wise, there is something of hedwig or rocky horror in Milch. They share the same distant, punky cousin These pieces come together best when the show leans into its own camp (madame bribing the health inspector and the silhouetted chase scene come to mind). The use of silhouettes in lieu of graphic milking scenes was a fun and interesting touch. The costuming was particularly detailed and delightful.

What I didn't like

There are the bones of something interesting here. The show never seems to quite make the connection between the metaphorical breast milk gags and the very real conversation it seems to be trying to have about exploitation in sex work. Milch eschews the juxtaposition of business men, powerful in the boardroom but desperate for matriarchal degradation behind closed doors, in favor of pseudo-burlesque glamor without bite. Indeed, the empowered, sensually liberated figure we’ve come to expect from the burlesque scene is woefully absent from Milch. Let these women be strong. Let them discuss their children. Let your villainous “diamond” be more than a mean girl with toothless lackeys. Explore your white knight who offers escape but instead integrates into the very system he sought to destroy. Let your heroine feel the all to common disappointment of the very man she picked to break the patriarchal mechanism becoming a cog in the machine designed to crush her between its teeth.

On a technical level, Milch would benefit from more rehearsal time with actors who know their lines, songs, and how to find their light. It didn’t go unnoticed the way the production leaned on their experienced performers (notably, the madame singing side-stage in every group number- inexplicably, even the ones discussing her own downfall)

Overall, there is an interesting premise and world here with some technical choices that reach for brilliance and very occasionally achieve it.

My overall impression

There is something pulpy and delightful about Milch. Armed with an interesting (if unexplored and unrehearsed) premise and a performer like Lauren Faulkner at the helm, Milch offers a semblance of glitz and glamour with a topical side that makes for and entertaining evening. With some introspection, Milch just might be able to capitalize on these working pieces and achieve (accidental) brilliance.