This ‘Medea’ Has Hair on Her Chest

Tracing the rhinestone-littered trail of targets for camp gay parody back to the dim recesses of antiquity--before Joan Crawford, even--the mythological figure of Medea set standards for hysterical overreaction that have never been surpassed.

Regardless of how you feel about the jilted sorceress’ homicidal spin on family values, there’s no denying the Gold Dust Orphans make a hilariously compelling case for spoofing Euripides’ tragedy in their unapologetically flamboyant drag version of “Medea,” magically transforming the Celebration Theatre into “some dump on the outskirts of Greece.”

“I would rather stand on the front line of battle three times than bear one child,” defiantly declares creator Ryan Landry in the title role. His muscular build and profusion of chest hair suggest this is no rhetorical feminist outburst. Elevating cattiness to Olympian heights, Landry’s sexually ambiguous Medea evokes nonstop laughs as (s)he plots, wheedles and seduces his/her way to vengeance on the philandering Jason (an understandably harried TL Kolman).

Medea gets strong comic support from the equally outrageous Billy Francesca as the doomed rival Princess, Stephan Vara as her befuddled royal father, Scott Martino as a conscience-stricken nursemaid, and Chris Flynn puppeteering the talking transvestite horse, Miss Ed.

Under James P. Byrne’s capable direction, the cast maintains tightly focused, ham-free performances, letting us enjoy the rudest shenanigans without telegraphing they’re in on the jokes.

Hailing from Boston, the ensemble tips its hat to Hollywood assimilation by having Mario Diaz’s court messenger pause in mid-performance to pass out head shots. Looks like they’ll fit right in.

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* “Medea,” Celebration Theatre, 7051 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. Ends May 5. $12. (310) 289-2999. Running time: 2 hours.