The Real Gossipers of Salem is a cute little parody of the Real Housewives with special attention (Billy Swenson let’s us know) to the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (not quite correct, but sexier than the Real Housewives of Orange County – the actual original).

The characters are Goody Vayne, Mistress Cougar, Farmer Gay, Mercy Bedley, and the all-important Judge Kohen. Each housewife is required to defend against accusations of witchcraft while admitting that they might have some “ungodly” habits. Finally Judge Cohen admits that he has been the puppet master that has pulled all the strings.

The music is pleasurable, if not memorable, and the book is serviceable in connecting the songs. But what cannot be imagined, given the source material, is a full production. The work is more suited to concert readings than a fully produced play, just as most Real Housewives’ episodes take place around a dining room or party table. Real interaction doesn’t happen in the series and this parody does not lend itself to do anything broader. Maybe that will be enough given the shows limited goals.