ComedySportz

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: 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.

IndyFringe: What’s a Wedding Got to do With It

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By Wendy Carson

This is the journey of a man — one who abhors the very idea of the institution of marriage and all it stands for — taking the plunge and actually getting married. The story is told  by Jeremy Schaefer in four parts, each of which illustrate the various rituals and ornamentations society demands be included in order for the ceremony to occur.

From the history of the engagement ring, the music choices for the reception, the guest lists, locations, scheduling and every detail in between; it’s a pretty overwhelming feat that anyone does this at all. Still, when the right person enters the picture and the legal ramifications of the bond hit close to home, he finds himself struggling to make sure that everything is perfect for her.

For a sweetly touching look at love, marriage and all of the traditions surrounding it, this show is a delight. Besides, where else are you going to get the opportunity to see someone wearing a wooden bow tie?

Performances are at ComedySportz Aug. 24, 27 and 28. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: The Immaculate Big Bang

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By Wendy Carson

An irreverent night of comedy covering science, religion, relationships, philosophy and family, “The Immaculate Big Bang” by comedian Bill Santiago feels like what an episode of “The Big Bang Theory” would be like if it was written by George Carlin. The laughs are pretty constant, but some of the material might even make you pause to think or research one or two of the topics covered.

The material as a whole is not actually offensive, but some of it might not be to everyone’s taste. Basically, if you think the idea of telling Jesus a “Yo’ Mamma’s So Holy…” joke is in poor taste, then this show might not be for you. Otherwise, get out and see this show. Who knows, you might actually learn a thing or two from it.

Performances are at ComedySportz Aug. 25, 27 and 28. Get info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe 2015 Wrap-Up

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We had a great time at this year’s IndyFringe. Though we didn’t see all the shows, we saw quite a few, so, here in one place are the links to all our reviews, for anyone wanting to look one up:

“4.48 Psychosis” by Savage at Last

“4Square” by AV Productions

“Acting My Age” by Matt Holt

“The Adventures of Les Kurkendaal” by Les Kurkendaal

“Auditioning for Swan Lake” by Lou Ann Homan

“The Best of Indy Magic Monthly” by Magic Taylor’d for You (Taylor Martin)

“Breakneck Hamlet” by Tim Mooney

“Bromance” by Farewell Tour Productions

“Cabaret of Puppetry” by Peewinkle Studios

“Ca-Ching” by Nomads Collective

“Camp Summer Camp” by Defiance Comedy

“Cocooned in Kazan” by Royal Kung Foolery

“The Comedy Magic of Oscar Munoz” by Oscar Munoz

“Dancing in the Mist” by RibbetRepublic

“Drosselmeyer’s Magical Bedtime Story” by No Exit Performance

“The Eulogy” by Michael Burgos

“Fruit Flies Like a Banana” by Fourth Wall

“Ghost Story” by Peter-John Byrnes

“Growing Up All Over Myself” by Mat Alanso-Martin

“Hannibal: LIAR!” by Chris Hannibal

“Hell’s Fourth Ring: The Mall Musical” by Casey Ross Productions

“Home Grown Originals” by Band O’ Leers

“An Indian Comedian: How Not To Fit In” by Krish Mohan

“I’m Not Gay” by Submatter Press

“Interrupting the Sermon” by First Hand Theatrical

“The Invisible Man” by What’s in a Name? Company

“Jason Adams is a God Damn Mind Reader” by Jason Adams

“Kill the Column” by MamaProductions

“Laughing Sober” by Rick Garrett

“A Little Business at the BIG TOP” by David Gaines

“Men’s Room” by MayDay Productions

“Mom?” by Box of Clowns

“Mr. Boniface, the Wise” by KT Peterson

“My Sister Diane” by Jim May

“Not My Baby!” by Dreadmelon Productions

“The Not So Secret Origin of Captain Ambivalent” by Captain Ambivalent

“ODDyssey” by Blair Godshall

“Orange is the New Black Keys” by ComedySportz Indianapolis

“Sarge” by Clifton Performance Theatre

“The Secret Book of Jesus” by Maximum Verbosity

“Shakespeare’s Ear” by Early Music in Motion

“The Shout” by In the Mix

“The Sibling Staircase” by Sally Perkins

“Speedthru” by Eclectic Pond

“Threads” by Tonya Jone Miller

“Tipped and Tipsy” by Jill Vice

“Top Shelf: Our Last American Tour – Again” by Betty Rage

“The Traveling Tap Dance Super Show” by TapMan Productions with Circle City Tap Company

“Ulysses Grant: A Fluxkit Opera” by Stephen Rush

“Up Yours, Indianapolis” by The Fleece Academy

“VELOUR” by Schedule C Productions

“Whisper in My Good Ear” by Vintage Players

“Who Run The World: A Madwomen’s Cabaret” by Main Street Artists

“The Wizer of Odd” by Gift of Gab

“Working Titles” by Jeremy Schaefer

“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Earlham Theatre Department

Fringe review: Acting My Age

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By John Lyle Belden

In “Acting My Age” at ComedySportz, stand-up comedian Matt Holt reflects on how age is as much an attitude as a number.

Holt relates that others always want him to act “older,” unless his parents want him to lie to get children’s admission. He admits that his apparent immaturity has given him problems in relationships. And then there’s the issue of whether to man up and go to Birmingham again.

Holt makes you laugh a lot and think a little, as he reveals the secret isn’t what age you act, it’s how you act at whatever age you assume. There is mature language, but you can decide for yourself the maturity of the speaker.

Fringe review: Laughing Sober

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By John Lyle Belden and Wendy Carson

Rick Garrett tells us the story of the traumas of his child- and adulthood that drove him to the numbing effects of alcohol for solace in his stand-up/monologue, “Laughing Sober,” at ComedySportz.

Garrett relates his restrictive religious upbringing – “We were Amish with lightbulbs” – and how for him love was predicated on rules he couldn’t master and expectations that didn’t fulfill him.

While his tales are honest and raw, the delicate humor surrounding them prevents the subject matter from getting too somber. Garrett is an excellent storyteller as well as comic, so even when he’s not zinging the punchlines – which he often does – he still holds our attention and earns our sympathy.

This show reminds us that we are all damaged people in some way, and that the only true healing powers in the world are laughter and love, both of which you will feel before the final applause break.

Fringe review: Working Titles

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By Wendy Carson

“Working Titles,” by Jeremy Schaefer at ComedySportz, is a look at one man’s trail of strange, menial day jobs necessary to keep his dream of being a comic storyteller afloat. Bursting with humor, the show does bring up several important life issues and will make you think as well as laugh.

This is another show that works as an excellent “palate cleanser” to keep you going after seeing one of the more heavy, dramatic offerings.

For those of you who now me, you now I have a large and mighty laugh. It was solidly on display all through this show and I feel that you might do the same.

Fringe review: Ghost Story

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By Wendy Carson

Stand-up comic Peter-John Byrnes presents a “Ghost Story” at ComedySportz.

But don’t expect to hear your typical scary yarns such as are told around campfires. This reminiscence of a journey to visit the grave of an ex-girlfriend who committed suicide is tender, funny and will make you reconsider the ghosts of your own past.

It is a delightful storytelling offering, that will leave you thinking as well as entertained.

Fringe review: Orange is the New Black Keys

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By Wendy Carson

From the group that brought you last year’s “Shame of Thrones,” this year’s offering, “Orange is the New Black Keys” by host ComedySportz Indianapolis, is a zany send-up of a certain Netflix sensation.

However, since the actors are taking their cues from and utilizing lines provided by the audience, this show is exactly as funny as you make it. If you’re planning on going, start thinking up outrageous things for them to say. Some of the highlights from my show were, “Kiss me like I’m Greg Brady and you’re Florence Henderson,” and a soulful ballad about Jon Benet Ramsey. Also, it would seem that at least one of the cast has no idea of how to perform an Irish accent, much to the delight of everyone in attendance.

Whether you are a fan of the parodied series or not, the show will have you laughing hysterically the entire time. The show is a welcome respite from some of the darker offerings available and highly recommended as a “palate cleanser” to keep you going throughout the week.