Vanilla Meringue, Trixie Aballa, Elenor Irene Paul, and Marshall Forte Photo by Fraser-Herron

When you enter the Oasis, stop first at one of the bars to get yourself a Jurassic-themed cocktail–perhaps a Prehistoric Punch, an Electric Fence or a Clever Girl–and then find your way either to your seat in the VIP Splash Zone (ponchos provided, but they never let fly with anything more than water or silly string) or stake a standing place in front of the center stage that, at the show's open, is shrouded in black cloth festooned with the word "caution." Soon, host Muldoon (Evian) greets you and, in his outrageous Australian accent, warns you (saying "I'm not gonna beat around your bush" in the first of many double entendres) of the dangers to come. His welcome speech is interrupted by a trio of raptor-costumed dancers/singers giving a rendition of Destiny's Child's "Bootylicious," who then dance through the audience, giving all a chance to appreciate their scaly tights and raptor headdresses.

But the real host of the night is Colonel Sanders Hammond (Vanilla Meringue), outfitted in a sparkly version of the white leisure suit worn by by Sir Richard Attenborough in the film, complete with fake beard and amber-topped walking stick. The Colonel guides us along as we sort of follow the arc of the film. We meet the scientists who are there to inspect the facilities: Dr. Laura Dern (Elenor Irene Paul) and Dr. Jeff Goldblum (Marshall Forte), who arrive on the island via a helicopter cleverly constructed from pool noodles, as the cast sings a parody of Green Day's "Welcome to Paradise," and remind us "they're not extinct, not anymore" since "we're playing God and we don't give a fuck."

There's a hysterical send-up of the famed welcome video from the film in which the Hammond character talks to his on-screen counterpart–but which quickly devolves into name-calling and physical violence. When the scientists learn that all the dinosaurs are genetically engineered to be female, the cast breaks into a parody of Shania Twain's "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" as they watch as a baby dinosaur hatches from an egg on the main stage.

True to the film, nothing goes quite as planned for Colonel Sanders Hammond. After all, "what could go wrong warranting seven additional movies over 30 years?"

I could go on, but the meager plot isn't the point here. No, the point is about the non-stop over-the-top silliness, ribaldry, sexiness, and wondering if Dr. Jeff Goldblum will everl get to explain what chaos theory is, though not from lack of trying. Or how many times the cast will make sure the very fit Forte will be forced to reveal his taut pecs and six-pack abs. (Once, when mildly injured, Dr. Laura Dern rushes in to provide first aid: "Let's get your shirt open right away!")

I've barely begun to address even a tenth of the wonderful ridiculousness (and use of butt plugs and dildos and swinging tassels on the breasts of Edie Eve as Mizz DNA, or the wondrous vocalizations of the "fegosaurus") that had a smile on my face throughout the two-hour or so running time.

But perhaps the best thing about Jurassiq Parq is the undeniable joy the cast takes in presenting the show. No one holds back or is anything less than fully committed to the outrageousness of the show (written and directed by Michael Phillis). That joy is transferred to all of us in the audience, joy summed up as the cast and–as far as I could see–every member of the audience joining in the singing of Four Non Blondes' "What's Up?" at the show's end. The song's chorus asks, "what's going on?," and you may wonder that yourself over the course of the evening, but it's better to just join this thrill ride of camp and let the beast inside run free for a couple of hours.

Jurassiq Parq - A Musiqal Parody runs through August 2, 2025, at The Oasis, 298 11th Street, San Francisco CA. Performances are Thursdays – Saturdays at 6:30pm. (The bar stays open after for more fun.) Tickets are $57.33 (standing room) - $82.95 (VIP seating). For tickets and information, please visit www.sfoasis.com.