OFF-BROADWAY REVIEW
OFF-BROADWAY REVIEW OF LAUGHING LIBERALLY
Reviewed by Ron S. Covar
Published 2011-04-04
NO SPELLING BEE WANNABE
How do you spell the Libyan president’s name? Qaddafi? Ghaddafi? Khaddafi?
Performers at Laughing Liberally: This Ain’t No Tea Party! admit that they’re no spelling bee wannabes. In the show, which currently runs at the Midtown Theatre, one performer tries to figure out the proper spelling of the Libyan president’s name without success.
Each evening’s performers are selected from a company of fourteen stand-up artists. This evening, they have gathered an eclectic group of six performers, each with different style and different concept of what is funny. Thankfully, some hit the bullseye and elicit genuine laughter from the appreciative audience. Sadly, some do not quite hit the mark.
For those who are not habitués of the crowded New York City stand-up comedy circuit and are therefore not familiar with these performers, the absence of the usual long list of mini-resume on the show’s one-page program could be a blessing as it leaves them to their own devices in figuring out who is really funny, without the bias provided by the customary glowing credentials. It provides an objective view of the performer’s comic quotient.
In between acts, the two videos on each side of the stage show identical interview clips and pseudo TV commercials, ranging from man-on-the-street interviews, Texas secessionists, faux tourism promo for Somalia and bogus TV commercial for Arizona. However, these videos do not come out as funny as expected.
A salt-and-pepper-haired man who looks more like your typical corporate guy than someone out to tickle your funny bones, Scott Blakeman is tasked with the difficult role of warming up the audience. At the outset, Mr. Blakeman lays down the show’s premise by announcing that, while other shows avoid political materials, this show is the exact opposite as it thrives on everything political.
Appropriately enough, Mr. Blakeman's opening salvo touches on Broadway politics’ flavor of the season: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. From thereon, Mr. Blakeman launches a nonstop barrage of one-liners which cover the whole gamut of political and social landscape: Somalia, US presidents, tax, gays in the military, condom, drugs and the proper spelling of the Libyan president’s name. With his cool delivery, Mr. Blakeman’s act mimics the antics of late-night TV show hosts. Overall, Mr. Blakeman acquits himself exceptionally well of his daunting task.
The second performer, Baratunde Thurston, focuses mostly on local issues and high-profile personalities. He talks about Texas, Wisconsin, race and some prominent political personalities. However, his attempts at trying to be funny show.
Jamie Jackson impersonates a well-mannered British lady, complete with the obligatory cup of tea. Unlike other performers, Mr. Jackson disguised “her” targets with semi-fictitious names. "She" even played the piano and sang a couple of his own songs. Mr. Jackson’s entertaining mini-show provides a showcase for his varied talents.
Katie Halper is the only real woman in the group. She delivers her spiels almost in monotone with a poker face which is, in a way, quite effective. She touches on the chaos in the Middle East, gays, race and immigration. Like Mr. Blakeman, Ms. Halper opts for the funny side of one-liners.
Elon James White delivers his piece with so much confidence and passion which gives one the feeling of being in the middle of a political rally. However, he tries way too hard, which somehow takes away the fun.
Director Justin Krebs apparently saved the best for last. From the moment Jim David takes the stage with his usual bravado down to his final punchline, he does not disappoint. Mr. David’s segment is not just a LOL session but a certified ROFL feast (if you don’t know what these acronyms mean, you’ve been living under a rock for too long). With his nonstop laugh fest, one wishes more of this funny guy as he takes on call center agents, religious fanatics, crystal meth and anti-gay crusaders, among many others. With his enviable gift of gab, perfect comic timing and well-written pieces, Mr. David is undoubtedly the show’s highlight.
Each of these Jon Stewart wannabes may have a different style of comedy and they may poke fun at some well-known personalities but as Jim David explains in his parting shot, they are not out to put anybody down; they have no agenda other than to make people laugh and to encourage them to vote.
After the last punchline is delivered, one realizes that it doesn’t really matter how you spell the Libyan president’s name. And there’s really nothing personal here. It’s strictly politics.
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