Upon first listen of scandalous R&B crooner R. Kelly’s hip-hop-meets-opera narrative “Trapped in the Closet,” the typical response is a state of comedic awe. It’s not that this musical melodrama—which consists of 22 chapters and a multitude of characters, many played by Kelly himself—is particularly well written or even catchy, for that matter. Instead it’s the pure audacity of the numerous plot twists and turns of the convoluted soap opera-inspired storyline about a one-night stand that spins out of control to reveal a web of lies and deception. What began as a 12-part narrative took on a life of its own when the controversial singer added ten more chapters to coincide with the Independent Film Channel’s screening of his complete salacious saga on its website. It’s highly unlikely that you can really identify with the non-stop drama of “Trapped in the Closet” but wouldn’t it be fun to act out the tumultuous trysts without any repercussions in your own life? If you answered “yes” to this question, then on Friday, January 25 gather a group of friends who are ready for some R. Kelly-style scandal and head down to Mezzanine for the Trapped in the Closet Sing-Along where the hip-opera will come to life before your eyes and ears. Watch the movie version of the piece in addition to other legendary Kelly videos (“Bump N’ Grind,” anyone?) a clever remake of “Trapped” by a high school student as well as a Christmas-themed claymation interpretation called “Trapped in the Clauset.” Go join the fun this Friday and make R. Kelly proud while you impress your friends with your inspired vocal stylings.

Trapped in the Closet Sing-Along on Friday, January 25
Mezzanine 444 Jessie St., 415-625-8880
7 p.m., $8