‘Tawdry Tales’ Shows a Lust for Parody

The pair of aptly named “Tawdry Tales” at the Hudson Avenue Theatre are Michael Van Duzer’s sharp, witty parodies of pulp fiction and soft-core porn, twisted into satirical stories of gay lust.

“Heat the Samovar, Blanche” is a short, whimsical “costume drama” about Tchaikovsky (Dean Howell), whose lust for a young assistant (Butch Klein) is continually frustrated by the interference of the composer’s wife (Mink Stole)--none other than Blanche DuBois from “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

“Posing Strap Pirates” is an energetic if ultimately repetitive high-seas adventure centered on a romantic triangle between a pirate captain (Howell), his virginal captive (Todd Justice) and a cabin boy (Steve Sobel).

Van Duzer’s keen directorial eye for over-the-top mannerisms--much posturing and shirtless strutting--is amusing throughout, though sometimes undermined by self-aware smirks or mugging from his cast. The campiest moments in both pieces are supplied by Stole, who best understands that oddball characters are funnier when they’re played with total commitment.

* “Tawdry Tales,” Hudson Avenue Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sundays, 3 and 7 p.m. Ends Dec. 15. $15. (213) 660-TKTS. Running time: 1 hour, 25 minutes.