As Norman Gunston, McDonald also had a successful recording career, releasing a string of satirical novelty pop records that anticipated the pop parodies of "Weird Al" Yankovic.

The single was released in July 1997, and its cover featured a pop art-like parody of The Scream featuring The Edge.

A cajun-tinged swamp pop parody of the song, "(Holly Beach) Under the Boardwalk" by Kenny Tibbs (Kenny Thibodeaux) and the Jokers was released in 1991 and was a perennial Louisiana jukebox favorite until Hurricane Rita virtually wiped out the small seaside resort of Holly Beach, Louisiana in 2005.

"Firebird" is a kitschy pop parody of the famous ballet.

"New York Makes Me" and "Perfect Strangers," 80's pop parodies (with music by Ms. Barsha and lyrics by Ira Gasman and Stuart Ross) from "Radiant Baby," a musical work in progress about Keith Haring, were both laugh-out-loud funny.

The only sour note in Mr. Royal's debut play (which he also directed) is the abrupt second-act switch from affectionate pop parody to gruesome topical drama.

Still, no one can match the prowess of "Weird Al" Yankovic, the unrivaled king of pop parody for over 30 years.

There is something beyond pop parody or social provocation in Mr. McCarthy's action, too.