A ROYAL TREAT
For almost 40 years, The Groundlings has proved itself to be one of the premiere comedy troupes in the nation, creating more stars than the Big Bang (and creating more Big Bangs than stars; have you ever been backstage during a performance?)
Performers showcase material that arises from improvisation workshops; their weekly shows range from all-improv to all-sketches and anywhere in-between. The Groundlings Main Company opens their latest union this week, and in case you’ve been needing a fairy-book romance come true, I suggest you skip that dream and head over to Groundlings Royal Wedding instead.
Wedding Director Deanna Oliver (made of honor) leads an evening of all-new sketches and a few improvisational scenes starring Groundlings Lauren Burns, Tony Cavalero, Michael Churven, H Michael Croner, Patty Guggenheim, Kiel Kennedy, Anne Lane, Andrew Leeds, Eliot Schwartz, and Greg Worswick. Your royal wedding viewing party begins with a spectacular opening night party on April 27; after that, to learn what to serve a royal or slip into a royal, the party plays Fridays at 8pm and Saturdays at 8pm & 10pm. You may even learn how to buy Meghan’s favorite breakfast foods and indulge in some of Prince Harry’s childhood traditions.
Actually, the title has absolutely nothing to do with the show; certainly skits are topical but there is rarely a through-line. If one scene lags or isn’t to your liking, another one that will make you ache with laughter is right around the corner (which reminds me of my love life, but that’s another story).
For those who have never been to this 43-year-old institution, the two-act laugh-fest is in an intimate theater on Melrose where the energy is always a tonic for what ails ya; a rockin’ three-piece band sits below the stage, playing during quick-paced scene changes or for musical scenes. And the title has absolutely nothing to do with the show; certainly skits are topical but rarely will you find a through-line. There’s always riotous scenes and characterizations, and for only 20 bucks, you just can’t find a better deal in town.
Groundlings Royal Wedding
Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave
Fri at 8; Sat at 8 & 10
opens April 27, 2018
ends when they feel like it sometime in 2018 (but that’s no excuse to wait…)
for tickets, call 323.934.4747 or visit The Groundlings
