New rock musical Lizard Boy features an unexpected and delightful mix of dragons, Grindr, and superpowers. The fabulist premise is established immediately. Protagonist Trevor creates a Grindr profile and reveals – as the title so obviously suggests – that he is a lizard person. We soon find out that after being involved in a dragon attack as a child, Trevor has been permanently transformed and is navigating life as an outcast. He is also beginning to feel odd physical sensations… So begins the fantastical romcom and, like any comic book-esque story, the future of the world is at stake.
It becomes apparent early on why Lizard Boy has already been such a success in the States. The trio of performers – Justin Huertas, Kirstin Delohr Helland, and William A. Williams – act, sing, and play instruments in a flawlessly choreographed hour. The songs, sung with perfect harmonies, are playful, funny, and sweet, and their witty rhymes demand that every line be paid attention to.
The sonic scape created is impressive and in the midst of the stellar music, it is easy to forget that everything we’re hearing is being created by just three people. Keyboards, guitars, ukuleles, cellos, tambourines, xylophones and kazoos are all employed at various points. Percussion is even provided by beatboxing, box-thumping, and stage-stomping, at a volume which could rival any large theatre.
As for the narrative, the plot is pacy, dynamic, and fun. The silly jokes are well-timed and the mood is light-hearted and engaging. It’s fantasy and almost cartoonish, but Huertas’s central performance is earnest and heart-warming. Really, this is an allegory of the outsider and the power of being unique; while Trevor is discovering his hidden powers, we can also read this as a coming-of-age story for anyone. Ultimately, Lizard Boy feels like far more than the sum of its parts.