So said Karen O

"Thank you for coming to our dress rehearsal." So said Karen O, last night, at the conclusion of Stop the Virgens at St. Ann's Warehouse. (Which opens to the public tonight through October 22.) It's too bad karen O has said the show is a "psycho opera" because that minimizes the show's cultural and artistic value. This could be the long-awaited riot grrl response to "Tommy" (by The Who). I didn't are for a second that there was no discernible plot although I would have like a play bill or hand out with the lyrics so I could follow along. I mean this is an opera. Can I get super titles here?

How would I describe the performance? In one word, "mesmerizing." Too bad I'm no good at reviewing music because I could go on at length about the catchy hooks, a seriously intense (and stellar) line up of musicians, and the chorus. Yes, the chorus, directed by Debra Barsha.

I might also characterize the show as "Bjorkian." But taken to a whole nuther level. There was something dark and luscious, primal yet refined.

If there are any women's studies/media studies phd candidates out there, you need to get your asses to this show. Your dissertation could be based on this one show alone.

More than anything I was stoked to see a female performance artist go the distance. I remember seeing Karen Finlay with the yams (way back in the day) and Karen O (whether she knows it or not) benefits from the foremothers (and aunts and nieces) of performance art. Marianne Faithfull? Suzie Quatro? Yes, Karen O needs to be sending them thank you notes but better still she's produced Stop the Virgens which could be viewed as a love letter to creation myth, feminism, and anarchy. Did I mention the catchy hooks?

I would have liked a smidge more movement from Karen O and a tiny bit more variation from song to song but overall the 9 songs hold up together individually and collectively.

And I was stoked to be on the 300+ guest list for family and friends. "Karen O thank you for having me at your dress rehearsal."