comedy

IndyFringe: Haul & Oatz

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By Wendy Carson

Let me start by saying this, there is nothing serious to see here. No deep message, no political agenda, nothing to reflect on. “Haul & Oatz: Time-Traveling Detectives” is just sheer fun and silliness for its own sake: A reflection on the tragic clothes, music and tropes that defined the ’80s music scene, as well as a terrific send-up of ’40s detective movies.

That said, if you are looking for a lot of laughs, this is the show for you. From the opening number (“The Exposition Song” done in the B-52s style) the show lets you know that nothing is safe nor taken seriously. The double entrees fly fast and freely as do the song lyrics (example: the police officer keeps saying, “Don’t stand so close to me”).

As I said after I first saw it, this is a strong contender for the funniest show of this year’s fringe. Miss out on it at your own peril.

Performances are Friday and Sunday, Aug. 26 and 28, on the Phoenix Theatre main stage. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: Indiana Squirrel Stampede

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By Wendy Carson

This is the story of the Great Indiana Squirrel Stampede of 1822 (not to be confused with the Great Ohio Squirrel Stampede of 1819). As zany as this musical is, it is inspired by actual historical events.

What is believed to have led up to this catastrophe is a combination of the migratory paths of black squirrels, the encroachment of humans into their territories and these humans’ alteration of the land from forests to farmland, leaving the squirrels without access to their natural food sources.

While the above explanation was nigh on impossible for those affected to wrap their head around, many crazy theories arose as to what caused this disaster. These theories are mined for gold by playwright and star Julie Lyn Barber and the other actors to your sheer delight. Especially the younger actors, Sophia and Sage Barber Murrell. Their performances are worth the whole ticket price to see.

Biblical lore, Native prophecies, cautionary tales, even weresquirrels are included for your amusement. Just remember that natural events like those shown here are possible and cyclic — it is entirely possible that another such uprising could occur. So, watch, laugh, and maybe even learn a thing or two so we may be prepared for their next attack.

Performances are Friday and Sunday, Aug. 26 and 28, at the Indy Eleven Theatre. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: Uberview from the Heartland

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By Wendy Carson

It’s sometimes surprising how much a passenger will open up to a driver and the stories that they reveal in such a short time. D Paul Turner has been driving for the ride-share company for over three years and during that time, has been privy to many a curious and interesting tale.

He has religiously collected the stories into a personal journal. He then regales the audience with several highlights from within. The stories range from silly, disconcerting, uplifting and all points in between. He has met some truly remarkable people who have all touched him in one way or another.

So, buckle up your seat belt, and settle in for a slightly bumpy, but always enjoyable ride. Who knows, you might even end up with a free trip from Uber.

Performances are Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27-28, at the Indy Eleven Theatre. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: Barking Signals (Badly) During Goldwater

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By John Lyle Belden

Life in rural America was fairly simple in the 1960s. And in most towns, one of the most important things going on in the fall was high school football.

That was the case in a small Virginia coal country town, where a coach is having trouble fielding a team, so he will accept anyone who shows up — including three very different boys who barely know the rules of the game.

One student is desperate to leave the backwoods town behind, and feels having sports on his list of extra-curriculars will help him get into college. His best friend would rather read than play a physical game, but to his joy (and the coach’s) finds that there are whole volumes on the strategies of the gridiron. The third walk-on has to balance school and practice with his shifts at the mine; he has a very personal reason for joining the team.

One would think this little drama with comic touches is about football. But it’s not, just as for the coach, not even football is all about football. It’s about life and growing up and understanding the people you find yourself on a team with. And on that field, this show scores a victory.

It suits up Saturday and Sunday afternoon, Aug. 27-28, at the Theatre on the Square second stage. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: Act a Foo’ Improv Crew

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By John Lyle Belden

I debated even bothering with this review, because who doesn’t know about Act a Foo’? For a few years now, this ensemble has been making people laugh with improvisational comedy all over Indy. They even have a regular gig at the IndyFringe building.

For this year’s Fringe festival, the Crew are on the Phoenix Theatre mainstage. And from what I’ve seen, they get funnier and more polished with every performance. So, naturally, what you next see will be even better than what I saw. Funny how that works.

The style of comedy is little “games” like the popular TV show “Whose Line is it Anyway”  in which audience suggestions get incorporated into skits make up on the spot. These guys have been at it long enough that they even enjoy throwing verbal curveballs at each other to try to disrupt their natural comic rhythm, with even funnier results.

And don’t think it’s all on them. Audience members not only have to give suggestions, but occasionally also get involved, like when two ordinary folks have to move the arms and legs for two crew members trying to engage in a silly conversation.

Now for the important part: last shows for this festival are Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Aug. 27-28. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: I’d Like To See More Of You

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By John Lyle Belden

Local theatre producer-director Bob Harbin (Bobdirex productions) presents a mature-content burlesque show in an old-fashioned Vaudeville style. Harbin himself doesn’t bare all, though co-conspirator and local comedy goddess Claire Wilcher comes close, and some other heavenly bodies present themselves for a tease and/or a laugh.

The well-rounded nature of this show, with songs and bawdy humor added to the flashes of skin, make it exceptionally entertaining.

We also learn that by state law, while pasties and discretion are required of performing women, for men, the “full Monty” is legal. Remember the Youtube video with a couple of men dancing with nothing on their bare skin but a couple of towels? That routine is reproduced live. One false move, and we get more of a show than anyone counted on!

You should see more of this. Performances are Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27-28, at Theatre on the Square. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: Drankspeare

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By John Lyle Belden

Just the concept is enough to drive ticket sales: Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” done as a comedy and a drinking game — with the cast drinking as well.

The actors got started on their cans of local Sun King brew even before all the audience were seated. Then, whenever a couplet rhymed, someone would shout, “Drink!” And all did.

It’s a credit to the Eclectic Pond players that they are so fully familiar with the Bard that they mostly remembered the lines of the play, and even went off-script in Shakespearean style — with a few modern idioms thrown in for comic effect.

The show even ends in the manner of a Shakespearean comedy.

Fortunately, the ComedySportz venue has plenty of drinks (with and without alcohol) for the crowd to play along. Whether or not you wet your whistle, this hilarious show is a must-see. Remaining performances are Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26-27, both at 6 p.m. Get info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: Clown Bar

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By John Lyle Belden

The first rule of Clown Bar is that there are no rules — except for The Rules.

This contradiction is emblematic of the juxtaposition of the dark shades of film noir and garish colors of the clown world presented in this comedy-thriller.

Some aspects were more hard-edged than I had expected: for instance, these characters play for keeps when the funny pop-guns come out (but then, the plot is driven by a clown-turned-cop investigating the murder of his brother, a clown in trouble). Also, it’s not clear what drugs are running rampant in the clown underground to “make them funny,” but it seems to be hard narcotics rather than a silly in-world drug like balloon helium or pixie stix.

The overall result is still entertaining and amusing, and the answer of who the killer is wasn’t too easy to guess, so it works as a whodunit as well as a comedy.

Funhouse Productions encourages all to wear their clown or gangster best to the remaining performances, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27-28. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: The Circus of Joy

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By John Lyle Belden

Here’s how the show opens (note adult language)

From there things get even sillier and more bizarre.

Jason Adams (of “…is a Goddamn Mind Reader” and “Face Your Fears” fame) is Bongo the Blockhead, and with bearded lady Erin Grievances they perform comic feats that include so-fake-they’re-funny bits along with omigod-I-can’t-watch actual stunts. Yes, the concrete block and bed of nails are real.

Having a rowdy bunch of friends in the audience helped with the atmosphere and did lead to the tongue-in-cheek hashtag of #jasonadamsisdead. But actually, everyone is more likely to die laughing, provided your sense of humor embraces the silly and a tad crude.

And you saw correctly, Erin does distribute a few cocktails to lucky audience members. A few may also be brought onto the stage — but don’t worry, all volunteers survived (at least the show I saw).

Remaining performances of The Circus of Joy are Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening, Aug. 27-28. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: Terror on the High Seas

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By Wendy Carson

In-laws. We all have dealt with them or heard horror stories from friends about theirs at some point in time. Now, imagine being stuck on a 10-day cruise with them, in Alaska of all places. Thus begins Les Kurkendaal’s tale.

Being a liberal, gay, black man from L.A. was hard for his partner’s conservative, gun-toting, Trump-supporting, Bakersfield family to accept, but they have repeatedly made some effort. They brought him along on this cruise to celebrate the patriarch’s 70th birthday. Their original destination was the Mediterranean, but it was deemed to be “too hot!” by his brother-in-law. Therefore, since they’ve all wanted to see Sarah Palin’s home state, Alaska was decided on.

From taking every excursion offered in order to escape them, to making some hilarious new friends on the boat, Kurkendaal’s tale swings from one crazy situation to another. However, even among all of the zany people he meets, and the crazy antics of the family, some sobering situations are also encountered.

The storytelling skill it takes to maneuver all of these issues while still keeping everything compelling is impressive, and Kurkendaal does not fail. Every show he brings here is so much better than the last. In fact, my biggest annoyance was that I wished the show had been longer.

Whether you have seen one of Kurkendaal’s shows before, or are experiencing him and his family for the first time, you should really do yourself a favor and come aboard for some laughs.

One performance left during this Fringe: 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at ComedySportz. Get tickets at indyfringefestival.com.