Many of the worlds foremost theater troupes claim to be the most original, the most talented, the most organized. Many claim to have the top actors, the best shows and the biggest theaters. One would think that with so much money to be made in the theater industry, the biggest of these braggers would automatically stake a claim as the foremast in the theater world. That assumption, although probably right in any other industry (corporate, restaurant and movie businesses included), does not hold any ground in the world of professional staged theater. 
Sometimes the smallest of troupes with the lowest of budgets put on shows with much more impact than any big budget theater could. Such is the case with the famous San Francisco Mime Troupe, who recently traveled from their home area to work in LA County at The Actors Gang Theater in Culver City, owned by Tim Robbins. Although the title of mime troupe brings to mind images of funny non-speaking painted clowns, San Francisco Mime Troupe General Manager Naren Larson says that in this case, that is a very misleading image. ?Mime in our case refers to mimicking, or to make farce of situations. Not many people get that reference initially, unfortunately.?
The San Francisco Mime troupe (commonly referred to as the SFMT) is one of Americas longest running and most famous acting troupes, beginning in 1959 as an experiment by founder R.G. Davis. They feature outspoken and controversial political comedies, and put them on in parks and community centers, making them accessible to as many people as possible. Now this may sound like a common situation, but there is one small fact that sets them apart: They write all the pieces they put on themselves as a collective, musical numbers included.
Their latest controversial showing is ?Godfellas?, A Comedic Musical. It is the story of Angela, an African American atheist and Todd, a confused Christian Caucasian. Both are teachers who are attracted to each other in a school that is taken over by the catholic church and they are subsequently fired for not adhering to the Catholic rules. Todd decides to join their church in order to keep teaching, and Angela decides to take the polar opposite route and start an anti god campaign, her catchphrase being ?God can kiss my black hiney?. Her campaign gains worldwide momentum and pretty soon she is making (on stage) appearances on Larry King Live and other famous political talk shows. It takes an ironic twist, however, when her campaign itself becomes almost religion-like in its rules and Angela nearly becomes the enemy herself. This colorful comedy has a truly unique cast of supporting characters and original musical numbers that will make you laugh and tap your foot at the same time, as well as a message that there can be more than one right religion and that you shouldn?t automatically buy into religious hype just because of a flashy showman at the forefront.
Christian Cagigal, 30, who played Todd in Godfellas and is also a magician on the side, says that the work of the SFMT is very influential to many people. ?It is musical comedy with a meaning, and that?s why its so important that we get our message out. It is only controversial because it?s important.? He feels that this is the perfect time for Godfellas to tour. ?All of these faith based initiatives are coming to the forefront, and nonprofit organizations have been declared exempt from discrimination laws, yet schools are closing down all over California. How right is that?? Godfellas does have a more-than-slightly anti-bush undertone to it, yet it has enough unbiased points that it can be enjoyed by all, no matter their political preference.
