Spiked! at Lowry Lab Theatre on 12/5/09
By: Janet Preus
 |
This structure would have worked just fine without the added layer of a host and hostess, played by Jim Robinson and Jen Scott. The co-hosts were meant to provide a connection — via the channel changer — to a spirited potpourri of fine performances by notables in the local theater and music scene, but the roles gave this appealing duo little to go on. The device had to be either cleverer or more consistently realized to justify eating up that much space on stage; it was a little like going to a strange party that turns out to be fun because of who showed up.
In fact, I’ve never seen such consistently good improvisational theater and sketch comedy in this town. The writers and director know good material when they see it, even if they don’t quite know how to maximize the show power.
For example, a truly talented quintet of singers, nimbly delivering jazz charts of Christmas songs (some beautifully arranged by director Dennis Curley) was stuck in an upstage corner for the duration, providing for no interaction with the sketch performances and even less with the audience. Did the writers imagine this was necessary to support the television show device, which didn’t work very well anyway? I wanted those folks lined up right in front of me, moving their feet, snapping their fingers — you know, delivering the song. It may sound like that would have been cliché, but it would have worked better.
In an effort to damper the sound of an acoustic piano, a keyboard was hidden in a non-functioning upright. That was fine, if unnecessary. But more importantly, the keyboard sounded so quiet and muffled behind it that the big numbers, unfortunately, couldn’t generate the kind of excitement the music warranted.
Costuming was completely inexplicable. (Why was Jim in black long underwear and what was that pink thing on co-host Jen Scott’s head?) And the singers were so good, why not put them all in complimentary colors, at least, and make them look like a group?
Nevertheless, the most critical elements worked. Holiday-themed, neatly timed sketches performed by Jay Mechior, Corey Anderson, Molly Cox, Rachael Brogam Flanery and Madde Gibba were frequently laugh-out-loud funny. Joshua Will, in particular, is one of those rare actors who really “gets” physical comedy. His battle with “the snugster” is one of those goofy bits that makes you laugh just thinking about it. Tina North as Mary, in a running sketch about Mary, Gabriel and Joseph, used beautifully timed facial gags and masterful line delivery to keep the joke going right to its final coup de grâce.
Guest appearances by piano virtuoso, Jimmy Martin, and composer/arranger, Drew Jansen were a quality touch. I only wish they had played a real piano, or had hooked the keyboard into the house system for more presence. Gretta Grosch, playing a self-help guru with great finesse, easily generated audience participation in an infomercial set to “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” That would have made a great show opener.
Spiked! runs Thursday – Sunday through December 20.
Location Info:
Lowry Lab Theatre
Artist Info: Table Salt Productions
Share this story:
Article comments powered by Disqus