‘Re-Designing Women’ a wisecracking good time

Five enchanting Southern belles stuck in a 1980s sitcom are transported to the present day through the magic of reality television in “Re-Designing Women,” now at the Onyx Theatre. But they aren’t real women — hence the clever title — in playwright and star Jamie Morris’ funny drag parody of the ’80s hit “Designing Women,” which does double duty by also spoofing Andy Cohen’s Bravo talk show.

With Morris’ sharp pen, the stereotypical gaudiness of the earlier era morphs surprisingly well into the tacky voyeurism of today, though it sometimes feels like an extended skit. But under the astute direction of Christopher Kenney it’s easy to forget that these femme fatales aren’t really gals, since the actors playing them disappear so smoothly into their parts.

It’s “parts” of the private kind that provide fodder for much of the campy show’s raunchy wisecracks, which are equal opportunity offenders in all manner of gender, sexuality, race, politics and intellect. Though delivered with Southern refinement, the coarse language may push the buttons of more sensitive folk, while those with an open mind will find it strangely authentic. And while it helps to be familiar with the TV versions in order to catch the many inside jokes, it’s not necessary for full enjoyment of the piece.

These are troubled times for the ladies and one gent of the Sugarbaker Design Firm in Atlanta with the bank on the verge of taking it from the Sugarbaker sisters, Julia and Suzanne.

Julia is the opinionated matriarch who is easily fired up and spouts liberal politics with a tart tongue yet with ladylike poise. Morris captures Dixie Carter, who originated the part, with elegant exaggeration, giving her a lithe, comical gait and sharp enunciation to match her Scarlet O’Hara-like gumption. Her famously defiant “the night the lights went out in Georgia” speech has a powerful, campy elan.

The self-absorbed Suzanne is on a cotton-ball diet and has the brilliant idea to secretly sign the ladies up for a “Real Housewives”-type show to save Sugarbaker Manor. Played by Delta Burke on TV, Brent Wakelin gives the beauty queen a modern-day sass, flamboyantly waving her finger in the air as she bitchily bosses everyone around.

Designer MaryJo is having a tiresome day, having been forced to personally castrate her frisky pet dog since the vet was too expensive. Donald Leonard gives a gentle likeability to the demure ginger-haired lady, sensible but not boring, as she’s so often described.

Office manager Charlene is the tall, lovable ditz who is horrified to find she is shrinking, but gets her own hit single by the end of the show. Trevor Peringer is delightfully naive and draws us in with puppy-dog eyes, displaying a natural, comedic ease.

Bernice is the eccentric, zany friend with a libido that’s in overdrive and becomes an unlikely breakout star with her own perfume called “Black Man, Black Man.” Hilariously channeling original actress Alice Ghostley, Rob Kastil has a perfectly befuddled, scrunched-up face as she chases around “hot chocolate” Anthony, who’s played with proper fluster by Jeremiah B. McQueen. And Jay Joseph nicely captures Andy Cohen’s preppy looks, style and quirky enthusiasm.

The set by Jacob Muehlhausen mimics the earthy flair of the TV show, and videos by Matthew Greene are displayed upstage and incorporated into Derek Shipman’s lighting design to add to the sitcom feel. Suzi Cranford’s costume design is gaudy, blingy yet classy in a 1980s way.

The women may not be real, but “Re-Designing Women” is a really good show, especially in a town that opened doors for pioneers of modern drag.