Review: GROUNDINGS STAKEOUT Takes You to a Galaxy Far, Far Away Where the Laughter's With You

GROUNDINGS STAKEOUT/written by The Groundlings/directed by Ted Michaels/Groundlings Theatre/thru November 21, 2015

Groundlings' latest laugh-packed Friday & Saturday night show, GROUNDINGS STAKEOUT, keeps the audience in stitches in their ever new and original sketch ideas, providing each of the incredibly talented six-member cast their individual moments to shine.

With a program of 14 sketches and 3 improv pieces, solidly directed by Ted Michaels; the evening opens with "Marriott," (written by Ryan Gaul) as two unsophisticated conventioneers meet in a Marriott hotel hallway. The always hysterical Lisa Schurga has locked herself out of her room when Gaul approaches trying to go to his room right across the hall. These two play nerdy extremely convincingly as each make lame jokes, subtly trying to pick each other up.

Next up, "Fireside," written by Jill Matson-Sachoff who's coiffed and decked out as Dorothy, a singer with a pleasant enough voice to be hawking old records in an infomercial. Funny stuff! Later, Matson-Sachoff totally nails it in "Fall Confidence," she co-wrote with Schurga. Matson-Sachoff's high-pitched voice with definitely an un-model's posture vividly demonstrates, alongside the equally comely Schurga, how unattractive women can get a man. Comedy gold!

For a hilarious example of expert physical comedy, Tony Cavalero on crutches navigates stepping up onto the stage and then using every available prop (in lieu of his fallen crutches) to get to centerstage in "Dangerouz" (which he wrote). Yeahhh!

What has got to be the most imaginative sketch ever -- "A Slight Adjustment," written and performed by Tim Brennen. Brennen portrays a doctor specializing in older reassignment procedures. Just when you think Brennen's referring to gender reassignment, he completely and - in detail - lists the procedures for making one older. The doctor looks 57, but is actually 27. Pure genius!!!

Ariane Price's solo piece that she wrote "Hair" makes good use of her east European accent and her quick wit in dealing with a drunk audience participator. Price, in another piece she authored "Lizard," gets costumed in tiii-ight jeans explicitly showing her cameltoe that she casually or unintentionally waves in Cavalero's face. Cavalero's facial reactions and body language - priceless! Such great partner work here!

Cavalero and Gaul go to town as Valley dudes decked out in Darth Vader grab and wielding light sabers in their co-written "Sith is How We Do It."

The three interspersed improvisations highlight the honed teamwork and an mutual trust and support of these Groundling members. Gaul and Brennen as a father giving the all-important chocolate vs. vanilla talk to his son; Price and Brennen re-enacting an audience couple's first date; and Schruga and Price reporting a stolen lawnmover. All bring the intended laughs and guffaws from the audience.

As always in every Groundlings show I've covered, the smoking Groundling Band (Howard Greene on drums, Larry Treadwell on guitar, and musical director Willie Etra on keyboards) enthusiastically entertains and entr'actes the sketches, at times punctuating the laughlines within.

Another fine show to add to The Groundling's lengthy resumé.

www.groundlings.com

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