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If you ever wanted to understand the plight, angst, history
and lifestyle of the modern day comedian see this play. And
it is a play … about stand-up comedians.
Hosted by Kevin Farley, a ringer for his late brother Chris,
and possessed with the same manic energy and hilarity; this
musical play literally … and musically … runs through the
gamut of every type of comedian you could find in a comedy
club.
Comedy clubs. Spent a lot of time in NYC comedy clubs in the
70’s. Times change. The angst and life deprivation most
comedians endure for their craft is clearly evinced here –
but – and I mean BUT – if the ever present F Bomb bothers
you, this play and any current comedy club is not for you.
What is for you - is a wonderful evening of comedy, music,
introspection and laughter; if you can get past the
coarseness, vulgarity and … F bombs.
I wrote comedy in the seventies and worked with many of the
greats. Some used profanity for effect. Some just spoke like
that. Apparently, now everyone speaks like that. Still, the
audience was composed of many middle-aged people who looked
like they were still working. And they were laughing and
having a great time. So was I.
The writing and direction by Michelle Wendt (and Darren
Katz) deserves kudos as they put together a rich and
entertaining evening. The cast is charming, inventive and …
hard to believe - they are wonderful singers and dancers.
Their “shticky” dance numbers made me laugh the hardest all
evening.
Aside from the wonderful Kevin Farley, who dominates the
show, we are introduced to the various KINDS of comedians.
The Opener – a gay guy with a mustache who sings opera
(funny), the Shock comic – shocking & thanks for working
out, the Ethnics – Indian – “ No, I’m Pakistani”, the Black
comedian – a dark skinned Grouch Marx, the Latino – a good
looking actor with little material, the Prop comic – this
guy looks like the bastard child of Seth McFarland and
Gilbert Gottfried, (He’s half Asian and half Jewish) , the
Dummy comic – a born – again something out of Alabama, the
Guitar comic – a pretty blonde who needs more lines, the
Crowd Work comic – a very likeable funny song and dance act,
the Girl comic – whose riff made my date blush ( a great
singer), and finally the Headliner – Christian Finnegan, who
had a great comic set and whom I’ve seen twice before and
liked at comedy clubs.
Bottom line – this is a show. It’s a show about comedians
but it plays well. You are never bored, and pretty much
always laughing. The musical numbers made the show for me so
congrats to Julian Velard, Jonathan Ivie , Jim Territo &
Michelle Wendt again.
Some of the best numbers were: “Comedy”, “Make You Laugh”,
“Bus in LA”, “Crowd Work” & “Back of the Store.” Every
number deserves praise though. This show at the upstairs
Triad Theater is well worth seeing.
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