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A CurtainUp DC Review
Barack Stars
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There's no such thing as news no more It's only bullshit they say We've reached the point where the BBC Has the best news in the U.S.A. — Written and sung by Second City— |
Tim Sniffen (as Joe Biden), Brooke Bagnall & Sam Richardson
(photo: Colin Hovde) |
The famous improv troupe from Chicago, the city they claim has the highest voter turnout among the dead, lacks sting. Performances vary, actor by actor and scene by scene A skit about Joe Biden is about as amusing as the verbose Vice President, although it did have me laughing at the reference to a "pie chart on childhood obesity."
Many of the best bits come from the troupe's repertoire, such as the evening's highlight — a very, very funny spoof of Dirty Dancing.
In spite of the title, there are few references to Barack Obama. In the theatre's lobby, the wax statue, courtesy of neighboring Madame Tussauds, of Michele Obama, gets plenty of attention as theatergoers armed with cameras jostle to take photos of one another with the First Lady.
Even though the show changes from night to night, some themes remain constant: racism, prejudice especially towards gays and a particularly poignant sketch about a cab driver originally from Gaza and his fare who is having a very bad day. At the end an unscripted word game with audience participation shows just how clever and fast on its feet Second City is. But when it comes to wit, neither Jon Stewart nor Washington's own makers of political satire, The Capitol Steps, need fear that Second City will beatthem to the punch line.
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Barack Stars Director: Marc Warzecha Musical Director: Jesse Case Cast: Lilly Allison, Brooke Bagnall, Abby McEnany, Sam Richardson, Tim Sniffen and Seth Weitberg. Running time: two hours, one intermission. Woolly Mammoth, 641 S Street, NW, Washington, DC. 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net. From: July 14 to August 2, 2009. Reviewed by Susan Davidson |
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Wicked
Jersey Boys
The Little Mermaid
Lion King
Shrek The Musical
South Pacific
In the Heights
Playbill 2007-08 Yearbook
Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide