Double Trouble: More than a two person musical.

Double Trouble – Porchlight Theatre

Reviewed by Dan Haymes

Double Trouble is a musical farce about two brothers, Jimmy and Bobby Martin, who just moved to Hollywood to start writing songs for MMG Studios; a spoof of MGM studios. After the brothers are given only a few hours to write a hit song, the complication of a mutual love interest adds to the equation. Putting their new song writing career on the edge of destruction.

Double Trouble is the definition of an ensemble show, but without an ensemble. The show is headlined by two true triple threat brothers, Adrian and Alex Aguilar, who display incredible vocal variety, impeccable comedic timing, dancing with enough grace Gene Kelly is weeping, and so much charm that it’s practically seeping out of their pores.

While there is no doubt that you will be hooked to every note, every step, every costume change the Aguilar brother make, what indefinitely makes Double Trouble an unforgettable show, are the co-stars. Now, I don’t mean literal co-stars since this is a two-man show, but the dressers (Megan Kowalsky and Lindsay Prerost) and understudies (Chad Michael Inns and Andrew Lund). These essential players skillfully aid in the fluidity of the piece as a whole, allowing the Aguilar brothers to alternate from one outrageous character to another. And I really do mean outrageous. The variety of roles played by the Aguilar brothers range from an old, narcoleptic, man to one very “strong” diva.

The direction of Matthew Crowle is what I find particularly admirable about Double Trouble. Crowle intelligently combines the classic root of the show’s nature with a few modernizations, such as adding in a film clip of a Starbucks storefront, which brings a hint of Mel Brooks’ farcical fashion to the show. Though Double Trouble is full of gag after gag, nothing is cheap about the laughter.

The weakest link of the show is the score itself. There is nothing particularly memorable about any of the musical numbers except for the comedic bits, physicality and choreography implemented by Crowle and the Aguilar brothers.

For a show that runs slightly longer than 2 hours, you leave the theater with a smile on your face, only wanting more.

**Highly Recommended**

Double Trouble runs through October 6th 2013

Stage 773 located at 1225 w Belmont

Book, music and lyrics by Bob Walton and Jim Walton

Direction and choreography by Matthew Crowle

For more information on Double Trouble and other shows please visit www.theaterinchicago.com