Zany `Starmites’ is enjoyable finale

What has a Diva and her banshees, a lizardman named Trink, a space punk and his band of out-of-this-world superheroes and the villainous Shak Graa, ruler of the Innerworld?

They all can be found in Downriver Theater Company’s “Starmites,” a sci-fi comedy-adventure which opened Tuesday in Machias.

“Starmites” is Downriver Theater Company’s final and most ambitious production for this summer season.

“Starmites” is the story of young Eleanor Fairchild, whose addiction-like fascination with her comic books, lead her on a wild adventure from Earth to Innerworld, home of the evil Shak Graa, four seductive banshees led by their queen, Diva, and the Starmites — three Dudley Doright-type superheroes described in one scene as “Bozos of monstrous proportions.”

David Whitney turns in an outrageously entertaining performance as Trinkulus, a half-lizard, half-man character who was once a slave to Shak Graa. Called a “walking fungus” and “toxic waste dump,” Trink nevertheless joins forces, or so it seems, with Starmites Ack Ack Ackerman, Dazzle Razzledorf, Herbie Harrison and their leader, Space Punk, played by Matthew Nowosielski.

Jeffrey E. Compton plays appears as Ackerman, Kevin Geel as Razzledorf and Marc Persing as Harrison.

Women not only get but keep the upper hand on men throughout the play.

Banshees Shotzi, Balbraka Maligna and Canibelle — played by Ann Kushner, Kelly St. Louis, Leta Myers and Amy Waguespack, respectively — capture and entrance the Starmites and Space Punk almost from the beginning. Dressed in punk glitter and black leather, the banshees resemble 21st century motorcycle molls.

Joanne Williams turns in a strong, entertaining performance at Diva, queen of the banshees, who schemes to marry off her Plain-Jane daughter, Bizarbara — played by Andrea Coffin — to Space Punk. Williams turns in a genuine show-stopper with an energetically sung and danced “Hard to be Diva.”

Risking the wrath of Diva, the Starmites make it clear they disagree by referring to their captor as “your butchness” and “your steamboatship.”

Williams also turns in a convincing performance in the more earthly role of Eleanor’s mother. Or is Eleanor really her daughter?

A series of unusual twists, turns and revelations in the final scenes provide the audience with several unexpected surprises.

Andrea Coffin also appears in a dual role as Bizarbara and Eleanor. In her dream, Eleanor assumes the comic book role of Milady as she drifts away to Innerspace and the inevitable confrontation with Shak Graa, played by Arthur Williams.

“Starmites” is a fun, fast-moving play, delightfully sprinkled with punchy one-liners and crisply delivered dialogue. If there is one weakness, it might be in the vocal harmonies Coffin sings with Nowosielski and Joanne Williams.

Coffin delivered strong acting and solo vocal performances throughout the two-hour play, but appeared to have difficulty harmonizing smoothly with Nowosielski and Williams. It did not, however, take away from the enjoyment or the professional quality of the play and may be attributed to first-night jitters.

“Starmites” offers family fun for all ages. Performances are 8 p.m. Aug. 7-8 and Aug. 11-15 at the Downriver Theater Company playhouse on the Marshfield Ridge Road in Machias. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens. For information, call 255-4997.