Leave it to
Brave New Workshop (the longest running comedy theater in the country) to bring us just the show we need right now, and make us laugh through the fear and uncertainty of this world. A lot of people feel like "the world is burning" (literally in California, metaphorically in wars, mass deportation, endless infuriating executive orders, removal of protection for our most vulnerable people and places), and sometimes it feels like there's nothing we can do about it but "make s'mores." Which in this case means - see a comedy show that makes us laugh. And truly, one of the things that makes this country great, and that we have to protect, is the freedom of our artists to tell stories, make jokes, and poke fun at the current administration, past administrations, and ourselves. If you're looking to escape the troubles of our daily world, this may not be the show for you. And if you think the world is pretty great right now, this may not be the show for you either. But if you want to sit in a room and commiserate and laugh with other humans about the crazy things happening daily, as a way to release a bit of the stress and recharge for the continued fight, then
The World is Burning, So I Made S'mores is definitely the show for you.
See it at the Dudley Riggs Theatre on Hennepin Avenue weekends through May 17.
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Katy McEwen, Matthew Vichlach, Denzel Belin, Lauren Anderson,
Jon Pumper, Jeffrey Nolan, and Isabella Dunsieth |
When every day brings another more ridiculously unbelievable headline, a show like this pretty much writes itself. But it still takes talented artists to turn the mess into comedy. This show is a bit more political than, say, BNW's annual holiday show, but that's the way the world is right now, and that's what everyone is talking about. Writer/performers Lauren Anderson, Denzel Belin, Isabella Dunsieth, Katy McEwen, and Jeffrey Nolan bring us about a dozen topical sketches, under the direction of Caleb McEwen, who is often there to introduce the show but was not the night I attended, leaving those duties to his wife Katy. They always open and close the show with an original song; the opener here is the title song, the closer is a spoof of "We Didn't Start the Fire" (because maybe we did). In between are sketches that cover political topics such as the current president's parade of unqualified cabinet picks, Dora the Explorer talking about the dangers of ice (meaning I.C.E.), the death of D.E.I., and women's rights (or lack thereof). The also touch on other topical issues like AI, retail therapy, and the challenges of adulting. This show unflinchingly tackles all of this stuff and more with frankness, fearlessness, and humor.
As always, the sketches are accompanied by Music Director Jon Pumper playing the keyboard live (and being included in the comedy) and Technical Director Matthew Vichlach providing mood lighting and video graphics to illustrate some of the sketches. On certain nights (like the show I attended), there's a bonus improv show after the scripted sketch show, in which the cast takes suggestions from the audience for some quick-thinking improvised comedy.
Head to downtown Minneapolis for a night of laughter and community, but sadly no s'mores - it's just a metaphor (which I think is a missed opportunity for themed concessions).
