Acme Comedy Theatre presents a comedy revue. Produced and directed by M.D. Sweeney.
Cast: Jerry Collins, Kate Donahue, Robyn Donny, David Finkel, Ralph Garman, Susie Geiser, Ted Hardwick, Brian Kerrigan, Lisa Kushell, Byrne Offutt, Renee Rogers, Antoinette Spolar.
They're at it again. In their latest comedy revue, the Acme Players serve up scathing sketches that are both biting and over-the-top, although maybe they should lessen their emphasis on America's pastime of the past 40 years: television.
Generations identify much of their childhood with what is on television, so skits that make any references to "Batman,""The Partridge Family" theme song and the obsession with O.J. Simpson brings huge laughs, although such skits are low on substance.
Still, the funny stuff outweighs the in-between, with standouts including dead-on impersonations of Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and "Batman's" Adam West.
In addition to TV references, a what-if scenario seems to be a recurring Acme theme. For example, what if Frank and Liza (Ralph Garman and Antoinette Spolar) got together to sing esoteric but hip songs by other artists? What if Ikea had a featured singer (Renee Rogers) in the cafeteria? What if Batman and Robin were charged with a felony? (The sketch involves Garman, Byrne Offutt, Brian Kerrigan , Lisa Kushell, Jerry Collins, Rogers and Ted Hardwick).
And what happens when a southern belle (Rogers) has a barbecue, when couples (Collins, Robyn Donny, Offutt, Spolar) treat a game of Yahtzee like a corporate takeover, when one applies (Kushell, Kate Donahue, Kerrigan) for a McJob, or when Kate Moss films a commercial (Donny, Hardwick)?
The evening is written and performed by a group that keeps growing with each new show; the pacing, under producer-director M.D. Sweeney, is perfect, with appropriate theme music played by Jonathan Green and vibrant lighting by David Trice.
Lights, David Trice; music, Jonathan Green; set, Giatheatrics. Opened June 24, 1994; Reviewed Aug. 12; runs indefinitely. Running time: 2 hours.
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Date in print: Mon., Aug. 1, 1994