Archive for March 26th, 2007

Sketch Block Sunday is a weekly show featuring a few different sketch comedy groups each week. I went by tonight to check out Chocolate Cake City in particular– a sketch group that was established in Boston and has recently moved to New York City.

The night as a whole was inconsistent. All the components for a great evening were in place: cheap beer and wine sold outside the theatre, a really unique, fun space for the performance, and a full, rowdy audience. However, the night began on a sour note, with the lackluster performance of “The Comediettes”, whose sketches were stale and dumbed-down. The MC tried hard to get the crowd laughing, but ended up telling meandering stories with little or no pay-off. It seemed certain it would be a long, uncomfortable night.
Things picked up with the second group, “Better Than the Machine”. Their sketches were smarter and more confident, though still teetering on the edge of the overused cliche.

The stand out act of the evening was “The Greatest Show On Earth”, a two man sketch group whose sketches were witty, concise and fresh. They strayed from the conventional sketch comedy structure and pulled it off beautifully. Watching “The Greatest Show on Earth” was not only funny but startling in its originality. It served as a reminder that you don’t have to follow a recipe to make great comedy. Hopefully other sketch groups will learn from these guys, and begin to take advantage of the artistic freedom that this medium provides.

Chocolate Cake City closed the night, returning to more traditional sketch comedy. Their show benefitted greatly from a clear theme (”The Sevent Deadly Sins”), something not seen in the previous sketches. Also on their side was the talented group of actors, who worked together well and seemed 100% behind the material. Their show was tight and easy to watch.

Sketch Block Sundays does not offer the most original sketch comedy, but it is a solid night with some true comedic gems. That, combined with a few bottles of beer, make it a worthwhile way to end your weekend.