Artist Josh Agle designed “Shag With a Twist” now playing in San Pedro
The bold, graphic art of SHAG is a buoyant reflection of the midcentury good life. In addition to a massive catalog of paintings, artist Josh Agle has created everything from his own branded stores to Batman action figures to an entire “SHAG house” in Palm Springs. John Travolta recently persuaded him to craft the animated opening to his next movie.
Artist Josh Agle mixing up prop drinks on opening night of “Shag With a Twist” Credit: Photo by Chris Nichols
In 2005, Agle collaborated with dancer Cindy Bradley on his first stage production, a murder- mystery musical called Shag With a Twist. “This cast of characters assembles for a Tupperware party,” Agle tells Los Angeles. “During the party, someone is murdered, and the inspector and his fez-wearing monkey sidekick try to figure it out.” That acrobatic monkey, played by dancer Bogdan Shcherbakov, is a standout who flic flacs about like young Jackie Chan, literally leaping off the stage and into the audience for an interactive segment. Talk about a painting coming to life!
Bogdan Shcherbakov as Mr. Cuddles in Shag With a TwistCredit: Photo by Chris Nichols
You don’t need to be a ballet or murder mystery lover to enjoy the show, since it slips into Broadway-style musical numbers at every turn, with characters in outrageous plastic wigs designed by SHAG. The show is seemingly set in an alternative universe at a time when, as the producers say “pupu platters and bouffants were all the rage.”
“The artwork of Josh Agle, aka Shag, is so fun and iconic that it connects with everyone who experiences it,” said co-creator and choreographer Cindy Bradley, who also runs the San Pedro City Ballet and is known for discovering 13-year-old ballet superstar Misty Copeland. “Our goal was to bring his artwork to life and to capture in a live performance that essence of fun and mid-century esthetic that resonates in his paintings.”
Carmen Quiñones Callahan as Othal in Shag With a TwistCredit: Photo by Chris Nichols
This month, Bradley begins a revival of the show as part of the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District. The show has sold out its first performances, but tickets are still available for later in the summer.
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The artist plans to attend every performance, which opens with a tiki cocktail party where the audiences are encouraged to don their vintage finery. We saw a lot of Aloha wear on opening night, which gave us hope that the cocktails might be better than they were. We didn’t even get a tiny umbrella! Make a day of it with a designated driver and a bar crawl between local tiki bars The Bamboo Club, The Lagoon and Secret Island beforehand. I can only imagine how psychedelic that version of the show would be!
Lexi Lewis and Raquel Glasser Kossman as Shimmy and Shake in Shag With a TwistCredit: Photo by Chris Nichols
Shag With a Twist
At the Grand Annex in San Pedro
Tickets available at Eventbrite