They say laughter can heal. And the legendary Groundlings offer another opportunity for you to strike gold with their new show “Your Body and You", which debuted to a sold-out house. Directed by Ted Michaels, the show’s themes bring back “the awkward pubescent years of cracking voices and training bras”. They explain, “The evening’s comedy hopes to remind you that the embarrassment of those mortifying moments still resides in your daily life…” And luckily, it’s funnier now.
Funny Bone
The show is divided up into 20 pieces, both sketches and improv scenes. Pacing is strong building to huge laughs and quirky character moments. Almost every performer has a highlight, be it in a lead or supporting role.
The show opens with a couple dealing with double-booking themselves that evening. The best moment may be the last beat of the story. Lights cut to black and electricity fills the room. Let’s go!
Soon after, “Francisco Manor” already feels like a classic. Two hellish hotel clerks try to frighten a hotel guest with their wacky behavior. The comedy relies more and more on the clerks’ physical comedy. It just gets funnier as the two men start playing with it more and more. Needless to say, the more they play, the longer the laughs.
“The Lodge” has a crowded cast and they take a funny premise and keep going. It also employs something that many comedy lovers enjoy the most. When the players in the skit can’t hold back their own laughter. When it’s this good, no one can keep control.
Comic Showcase
Alex Staggs is fun and playful. He switches between characters with ease and delights the audience, having pl
enty of fun. He adds spice to each of the scenes he’s in.
Michael Naughton and Larry Dorf seem as though they can do no wrong when paired together. Great chemistry. They’re a natural team and you wish they were together more.
Kudos also to Jill Matson-Sachoff who proves she’s one of the guys, and wait ‘til she joins in the fun. By the end she’s made the entire audience laugh. Good fun!
Who’s Got Funny?
Director Ted Michaels conducted laughs heard throughout West Hollywood. He casually asks the audience to pull out the most absurd ideas to let the comedians play with. He knows anything will work, but occasionally picks and chooses for the best.
The band chooses the perfect music to keep you moving and happy during every moment that you’re not laughing. Sometimes old-school, sometimes ‘80’s, the only consistency is their good-times vibe.
One More!
Jill Matson-Sachoff, with Steve Little delivers the perfect ending. It’s literally five minutes of non-stop laughter. It only gets better.
Once again, The Groundlings hit a homerun for Friday night fun. Sexy, funny, outrageous in the best of ways. Find a date and go!
The Groundlings, Your Body and You: Friday 8pm and Saturday at 8pm, 10pm.
Tickets are $21.50; available at the box office, by phone, and website
Phone (323) 934-4747 ext. 37
Address: 7307 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA.
For more information, please visit: www.Groundlings.com
