Archive for November, 2006

I don’t know when Jenni Wolfson is planning to do her solo show again, but you need to be there when it happens. There was a line of people waiting in the cold outside the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater to see RASH, which is a pretty amazing feat for a Monday night.

Honestly, I’ve never really cared for the space at UCB. I hate the pole that divides the audience into two sections; I always end up missing something because I sat on the wrong side of it. Also, the seating is kind of broken down and it’s cold and well, a basement. But Jenni Wolfson used the space well and made it somehow feel cozy like I was sitting in her apartment having a cup of tea with her and I could not take my eyes off her the entire 60 minutes. I have to say I’m a little speechless and entirely inspired by her story.

I think one of the reasons I loved it so much was because she tells it with so much humanity and humor. She’s a gifted writer and storyteller. The show wasn’t just about her experiences in Rwanda as a UN humanitarian aid worker in the 90’s. It was about her relationship with her family, her on the job love affair with a man she both feared and admired, and her struggle with wanting a personal life but at the same time having a world view that wouldn’t let her sit idly by. Oh and she’s not perfect (yay!) and this isn’t a lecture. This just might be the best one person show I’ve ever seen. Jenni seems like such an amazing, brave, intelligent, warm, and funny woman. I’d like to have a cup of tea with her.

I was a big fan of Hot Tub when it was at The PIT so I was curious to see what would become of the beloved alternative comedy variety show in a bigger venue like Comix, where it now appears on a monthly basis. I wasn’t disappointed. I love the space: brand new, clean and a little swanky. The stage is too small for the blow up kiddie pool they used to have at The PIT, so instead they use a projection of a real hot tub as a backdrop.

The ticket cost $15 plus a $5 handling charge, but thankfully no drink minimum as the drinks are pricey. My friend’s well vodka and soda cost $8 but your standard girly drinks, like cosmos, ran from $11-16. There are food options as well, and since I was hungry I chose the eggplant and zucchini chips appetizer ($8) and a coke ($4). It was tasty, albeit a little cold.

Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal were fabulous as always. They work so well together and it’s hard to tell whether it’s scripted or improv or both because they are so natural and hilarious and lovable. They should have their own tv show. I would watch it. It would be way better than Leno. Check out video clips of these two performing.

The line up for this show was incredible, starting with Michael Showalter and ending with David Cross. Yay!

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Despite their name, the Cool Kids’ Club is an event for uncool kids.

In a style popularized by Mystery Science Theatre 3000, the five hosts, Jeff, Matt, Kevin, Daniel and Steve show public domain educational films from the 50s (funny just by themselves) and add their own witty commentary. “Dating Do’s and Don’ts”, “Speaking of Rubber” and “Build Your Vocabulary” were some of the more benign films. They also showed “Boys Beware” in which young boys are warned about the evils of homosexuality and “Easy Does It” a film which illustrates that even though women are the weaker sex, their household chores can still be difficult. My personal favorite was “Soapy the Germ Fighter” (pictured), in which a young boy dreams of a giant bar of soap who teaches him the virtues of washing his hands.

If you’ve ever seen MST3K, then you have an idea of the commentary — responses to questions asked on-screen, pop-culture references thrown in where they don’t fit and speculations of the characters inner monologue. The hosts got a lot of laughs, abut they also got plenty of crickets. Just like uncoolkids, they were trying to be funny, but it didn’t always work. And even at their most clever, there is no way I would describe our hosts as “cool” (at least, not like Fonzi cool).

If you ever attend a meeting of the Cool Kids’ Club, you would be wise to bring along a six pack, like most of audience tonight did. This was the second meeting, and while only half the films were new, all the jokes were. This means that you can attend again and again.

Don’t let it blow your mind, but the UNCOOLKIDS whole-heartedly recommend the Cool Kids’ Club (but only because they really aren’t).

It’s official, I have a crush on Ben Gibbard.

Ok, so now that I’ve got that whole thing out of the way, here’s the review. (I know, that was so girly of me, but he’s totally dreamy!!)

Anyway, this was my first time at MSG Theater and I found it to be kind of a cold (as in sterile and unfeeling) space that reminded me of basketball. I think cause the seats were bleacher-esque, even though they weren’t bleachers, and so far away from the stage. I was pleased with my choice to buy general admission tickets so I could stand in the front. The show started promptly at 8, which sucked for me cause I didn’t get there till 8:20 so I missed half of Ted Leo’s set. Since when do shows start on time?? Someone in the audience, a late-comer like myself, shouted a request and Ted responded something like “dude, that was the second song we played. Thanks for showing up on time!” I’ve always been a casual Ted Leo fan, but seeing them live made me want more.

Then Death Cab came out. I have never seen them live before and I was a little hestiant about the $40 ticket but it was well worth it cause they were amazing. It was basically a greatest hits show with a song off their first album and a sonics cover thrown in for good measure. My favorites were What Sarah Said, Title and Registration, Brothers on a Hotel Bed (which I am obsessed with after hearing it live), Tiny Vessels, and Lightness. The band had the whole witty banter thing down and celebrated the democrats seizing control of congress and also spoke of corn as a bbq only type food. The only thing bad about this show?? I wanted more. aw. They played a long set and everything, but I really wanted to hear Lack of Color and maybe Bjork’s Joga. Really though, it was the funnest show and I’m just being greedy.

To sum up, ted leo + death cab = yay. Madison Square Garden Theater = yay IF you buy general admission standing room only seats. Keep in mind, you have to use the entrance on 8th/33rd though. They don’t let us standing room only folks use the front door. Don’t forget to show up on time if you don’t want to miss the opening act.