Review: It's Mimi (and Friends), Bitch!

By Michel Block

Britney Spears. "Singer." Legend. Icon. Since her debut, Britney Spears has been ripe for the tributes. Especially in the gay community. RuPaul's Drag Race All Star Mimi Imfurst brought a couple of her closest friends to The Laurie Beechman to honor the Pop Princess.  With an evening of filled with hits from her canon of work, Mimi and friends bring you Britney like you've never heard before.
Mimi Imfurst, the queen of controversy, takes the songs of Britney Spears and turns them on their head. In the age of Postmodern Jukebox, the entire songbook was reworked, bitch. From an aria version of “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman” to a German lounge rendition of “Circus” likely once performed by Elsa Mars of “American Horror Story: Freak Show” fame, Mimi’s concept is there. But The Britney Prophecy certainly went off the rails at times. The piece desired more of a theatrical through-line. It’s briefly present when Mimi invites Luke Grooms to sing the original demo version Pavarotti falsely sang. It was moments like this when The Britney Prophecy shined. It’s one thing to present song after song. It’s another when they’re present for a purpose. With her style of performance, Mimi has the ability to rewrite Britney’s history. Especially when Britney fanatics are in the room. Mimi’s crude humor was hit or miss but what was consistent was the immense chemistry Mimi had with the keeper of the ivory keys, Cleo Phatra. The give and take the duo had was quite enjoyable.
Mimi Imfurst may have had top billing but she beautifully allowed her friends to shine. Anyone in that room who never heard of Siren likely went home and fell into the YouTube rabbit hole. The Britney Prophecy is a noble attempt at something substantial but no matter what, it’s a fun evening hearing Britney Spears in a new way.