Ginger Twinsies: The Hilarious Off-Broadway Parody of The Parent Trap
Kevin Zak Turns The Parent Trap Into Off-Broadway Comedy Gold
Image credit: https://gingertwinsies.com/
Ginger Twinsies writer and director Kevin Zak has always loved the 1998 classic The Parent Trap, directed by Nancy Meyers. He remembers coming home from summer camp and being totally enamoured with Lindsay Lohan’s dual duty performance. But it needed a twist, an engine for it to be on stage, as Zak puts it.
During the 2023 writers strike, Zak had the opportunity to bring The Parent Trap to life. He gathered a cast of comedians to do a live reading at Littlefield, a venue in Gowanus, Brooklyn. He wasn’t the only one who still harbored some fondness for the film. People cheered at the iconic handshake and laughed at the absurdity of the twins, Annie and Hallie, being portrayed by two grown men—Jeffery Self and Ira Madison.
Elaine Hendrix Joins the Project as Producer
The key to the parody, it turned out, was Meredith Blake, the 26-year-old sexy soon-to-be stepmother to the twins. It’s a question that haunts the modern millennial: Is Meredith the villain? In Meredith’s own words: “It’s not a crime to be young and beautiful, you know?”
Played by Phillip Taratula, this version of Meredith is the drag heroine of our dreams. Zak wrote the part with his long-term friend in mind, eager for a chance to work together. She doms Matthew Wilkas’ Nick (who’s also meant to be Wilkas’ interpretation of actor Denis Quaid), sucks down pills, and wears many hats (of many sizes).
Soon, the real Meredith, Elaine Hendrix, got word of the project. She was eager to fight for justice for her character and signed on as a producer. Thus, Ginger Twinsies was born.
Rehearsing Ginger Twinsies With Broadway Pros and TikTok Stars
Ginger Twinsies is an 80-minute, off-Broadway slapstick rendition of the 90s classic. It romps through internet references, the Lindsay Lohan cinematic universe, and the beloved tale of two parents who hated each other so much they’d each sacrifice a daughter over it.
Zak recalls the fond, slightly manic two-and-a-half-week rehearsal process.
“A theater in New York is a game of real estate, right?” He remarks. “So if a theater opens up and they want you, you just go.”
Some actors, like stars Aneesa Folds and Russell Daniels, who play Hallie and Annie respectively, are seasoned theater professionals. Others, like TikTok star Grace Reiter, Chessy, are newcomers to the stage. Somehow, though, they came together to create a magical environment that combines the best of sketch comedy and internet humor.
“It was just like a cauldron of wackiness and creativity,” Says Zak, “We had no time to second-guess any choices.”
Zak is no stranger to parody. He grew up on Leslie Nielsen movies and has an appreciation for the lightning-fast pace of the jokes. Indeed, within the space of a scene, there will be a reference to Jamie Lee Curtis’ Activia campaign and a re-enactment from Hamilton.
Why Ginger Twinsies Is the Perfect Show for ’90s Babies
Ginger Twinsies is a fun night out for the internet-aware 90s baby. You’ll be whisked away on a tour of Lindsay Lohan’s accent work, And Just Like That references, and some truly gifted comedic acting. If you’re someone who can clock a Devil Wears Prada throw-away line, this one’s for you.
Tickets to Ginger Twinsies are available for purchase now through October 25th.