“˜When Groundlings Attack’ offers offbeat humor
By Daily Bruin Staff
Feb. 20, 2001 9:00 p.m.
 BWR Rachel Harris and Damon
Jones appear in "Ain’t That A Man," a sketch from the
Groundlings’ show, "When Groundlings Attack," now playing in West
Hollywood.
By Andrea Dingman
Daily Bruin Contributor
An invasion of a strange species of comedians called Groundlings
has landed on Melrose Avenue.
Leaving no stone of possible material unturned, the legendary
comedy troupe debuted its newest collection of sketches and improv,
“When Groundlings Attack,” Friday night at its
self-titled theater in West Hollywood.
Featuring such topics as ski legs, the lovely Inland Empire and
sexy actors whose voices contradict their masculine image, the
troupe showcases the offbeat, edgy humor for which it is
famous.
Boasting among its alumni Lisa Kudrow, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz,
and five current Saturday Night Live cast members, the Groundlings
is known as the training ground for tomorrow’s big comedic
stars. Many of the actors in “When Groundlings Attack,”
such as Jordan Black, Amy Von Freymann and David Jahn, could one
day join the ranks of their famous predecessors.
The opening sketch of “When Groundlings Attack,”
“Ski Legs,” sets the tone for the evening by taking the
simple premise of overexertion on the slopes and transforming it
into captivating comedy. Two friends stumble, lean on and pull each
other into the lodge, suffering the ordeal of the painful walk to
the espresso counter. This sounds simple and perhaps even asinine,
but everyday problems such as these provide realistic backdrops to
which the audience can easily relate.
One of the finer sketches, “Luke’s First Screen
Kiss,” features David Jahn as a legendary sex symbol whose
latest leading lady Rachel Harris pretends to be attracted to him,
despite his frighteningly high-pitched voice. The sketch is so
entertaining that at times it is hard to hear the dialogue because
the audience is laughing so hard.
Von Freymann shines in “Marci Makes Things,” a solo
sketch where she plays an Inland Empire cable access TV host. This
biting satire on the white trash population in Southern California
is refreshingly daring.
Von Freymann teaches the audience how to make a “Beware of
Dog” sign with a Doritos bag, Sharpie pen and hanger, pausing
while writing to sniff the pen. Her big ’80s hair, bustier
and bathrobe remind audience members of a bad Jerry Springer
episode, and she plays the part perfectly.
“L.A. Love,” a sketch about an unfortunate
psychologist and a couple who doesn’t understand the meaning
of office hours, provides some classic moments as well.
Jennifer Coolidge and Jeremy Rowley play the quintessential Los
Angeles couple who barge in on their shrink in the middle of the
night. Coolidge, disappointed with her shrink’s wife’s
offer of a cup of tea, tells her to call Pink Dot to get some
alcohol. Several other So-Cal references are all too familiar and
make excellent material.
The rehearsed sketches are interspersed with audience-inspired
improv. Director Chris Ellis, in a lovely English accent, asks for
topics from the audience and then alters the idea to make it
suitably difficult for the actors.
The first set at Saturday’s 10 p.m. performance included a
scenario where the actors pretended to have a certain occupation
and then kept changing it. From a Cirque de Soleil performer to a
construction worker, the dialogue between cast members Von Freymann
and Jeremy Rowley was well-timed and racy.
Another improv set on Saturday evening had the actors playing
out a car accident in varying theatrical styles. The interpretation
of the accident by the actors varied from Western to musical. One
of the highlights was the “Whose Line Is It
Anyway”-esque song during the musical piece. Here, the victim
of the accident sang, “I’m losing blood,” with
the other cast members joining in in respectable harmony and even
some synchronized dancing.
Unfortunately, the show appeared to lose steam after the
intermission. Sketches like “Coal Miner Stand-Up” and
“Address to the Graduates,” while funny enough at the
onset, become tiresome and predictable.
Luckily, Damon Jones’ Ozzy Osbourne impression for the
finale saved the Groundlings in the end. Furthermore, with the show
changing every night, comedy fans never know what they will
see.
THEATER: “When Groundlings Attack”
plays Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the
Groundling Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood. The show
runs indefinitely. Tickets are $18.50. Call (323) 934-9700 for
information.
