June 8, 2005
I had no idea going into Tuesday night’s Scheer and McBrayer show that Paul Scheer is the kinda-strange-looking, gap-toothed guy who makes pithy comments on any of VH1’s endless “I Love The …” and “Best Week Ever” shows. So it would be safe to say that when I realized this, I did a bit of inner groaning (never thought he was one of the funniest commentators). However, I was swiftly proven wrong once he and Jack McBrayer launched into their almost nonstop-hilarious 45-minute improv set at the American Theatre. Scheer’s portrayals of numerous characters in one skit (including a wonderfully-accented Kelly Clarkson imitation) were totally unexpected and quite a treat. Like many of today’s young comedians, they’ve figured out that a little office humor goes a long way; McBrayer’s portrayal of your typical 20-something “dude” at the office and Scheer’s 40-something guy realizing he’s wasting his life away (trust me, it was funny) earned enthusiastic (and empathetic?) claps from the audience. These two make a great comedy team, with McBrayer’s Everyguy adorableness providing a perfect foil for Scheer’s more eccentric vibe. Two thumbs up, see them before you make an ass out of yourself trying to figure out how you know Scheer (”Hey, did you work at the Dairy Queen in Fayetteville or somethin’? I SWEAR I’ve seen you before…”)
Bill Davis and I had words about his review of the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, in which he panned their Thurs., June 2 show. I went to see the Trachtenburgs on Saturday afternoon, and despite a few technical glitches that seemed to plague them throughout their run at the festival, I was highly amused and entertained the whole time. Jason, the dad, was effortlessly funny and cute in his nebbishness, and Rachel, the 11-year-old drummer/daughter, ably handled the drums AND singing harmony in her tiny child’s voice. The slides were funny and the stories Jason told added that extra zing to the proceedings. I’ll definitely be seeing the Trachtenburgs again the next time they come through town, technical problems be damned!
–Sara Miller
June 6, 2005
Posted by Bill Davis
TJ Miller, a member of the Second City Touring Co. performing at Physicians Auditorium, will make his second appearance this week at the peninsula’s only standup comedy night, Liquid Courage, Wednesday night at 10 p.m. at Lite Affair Cafe (137 Calhoun St.).
Miller SLAYED the room last week, even with a table full of ladies fresh from a Piccolo jazz (read: booze) cruise at the front. He’ll do another 20-minute set, or whatever else he feels like doing. (Miller even juggles cigar boxes!)
City Paper asst. editor Bill Davis organizes the weekly show (hence the alert) and invites everyone to come down and enjoy. Oh, yeah, it’s a free show, and there will be 7-8 local comics performing, including Bill (plugging away), Greg “Big Daddy” Patterson, Noonan, and others.
Oh, yeah, IT’S FREE
June 3, 2005
Gardner Guess, Charleston’s biggest fan of comedy, is back on the blog today. (You’ve seen Gardner bagging groceries at Harris Teeter downtown and tromping around town in his trademark floppy hat.) Here’s what he had to say about what he’s seen at the fringe and in Piccolo.
Thursday, June 2
1. Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, 7 p.m. American Theater
“I really liked it … it was a rollercoaster of pure fun … A+”
(In fairness, it should be noted that Gardner, during a Q&A with the family/band, asked them how long they’d been together.)
2. The Best of National No Shame Theatre, 9:30 p.m., Theatre 220
“I really thought they were really amazing … A+ … I’ve liked just about everything I’ve seen this year.”
( In fairness, it should be noted Gradner dozed off several times during the show; something Dottie Ashley would never do.)
Sunday, May 29
1. Second City, 6 p.m., Physicians Auditorium
“I loved it, they were so awesome and everyone of them was so talented; it was really cool and very funny … I’m glad you sent me to it … A+.”
Saturday, May 28
1. Man 1, Bank 0, 5:30 p.m., American Theater
“What an amazing story … that never could have happened to me; I would never have been able to [cash a bank check for $90,000] … A+.”
2. Upright Citizens Brigade, 9 p.m., American Theater
“Now they were really funny, I almost wet my pants they were so funny; like everything I’ve seen this year they were so good … A+.”
June 2, 2005
If you, like me, were wondering exactly what’s printed on the Polaroid pictures Leoprillo strews across the Memminger stage early in Don Giovanni, when he’s telling Donna Elvira about his master’s thousands of exploits, then wonder no more. Here for your cultural erudition is one of the faux Polaroids, which I liberated from the floor near my seat after the opening night performance. Scroll down to see the image. (This is probably not a good idea if you’re a prude, if you’re easily scandalized, or if you’re appalled by the human figure).
May 30, 2005
Gardner Likes Watching
Gardner Guess is, without question, Charleston’s biggest fan of comedy. Hell, he’s practically the local comedy scene’s mascot. He goes to everything. Everything. Standup, improv, sketch, whatever.
Gardner is as ubiquitous on the front row of improv shows yelling out “science fiction” as he is bagging groceries at Harris Teeter and tromping around town in his trademark floppy hat. Here’s what he had to say about his Saturday schedule at the fringe.
Saturday, May 28
1. Man 1, Bank 0, 5:30 p.m., American Theater
“What an amazing story … that never could have happened to me; I would never have been able to [cash a bank check for $90,000] … A+.”
2. Upright Citizens Brigade, 9 p.m., American Theater
“Now they were really funny, I almost wet my pants they were so funny; like everything I’ve seen this year they were so good … A+.”
Sunday, May 29
1. Second City, 6 p.m., Physicians Auditorium
“I loved it, they were so awesome and everyone of them was so talented; it was really cool and very funny … I’m glad you sent me to it … A+.”
