Episode 491. Reviewing The Reviews (LongLostShakes Edition)

”We just closed our world premiere of William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) at the Folger Theatre in Washington DC, and the critical consensus (thankfully) is glorious. We review the gamut of opinions (including the one or two negative ones) and revel in the kind words, helpful criticism, levels of reference, Read more…

A Hoot, a Palpable Hoot!

The world premiere of William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) opened April 23-24, 2016 at the Folger Shakespeare Library, and critics and audiences agree: Long Lost Shakes “…is an absolute, resolute, hoot, of a bawdy comedy of errors!” Broadway World “A breathlessly irreverent and pun-filled romp!” Washington Post Whether praising “the lickety-split pacing cheerfully Read more…

Episode 355. Classical Music Critic

”Robert Commanday is the founding editor of the San Francisco Classical Voice and for almost thirty years was the classical music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. Bob talks about the life of a critic; the role and function of criticism; how he transitioned from being a conductor and lecturer Read more…

Episode 299. Reviewing The Reviews

”Rule #1: It’s never good to get into a pissing contest with a critic. Rule #2: Sometimes it’s fun to break Rule #1. Although the American reviews of The Complete World of Sports (abridged) were ecstatic and almost uniformly positive, the UK reviews ran the gamut. Author/Directors Reed Martin and Read more…

Episode 242. We Have Consensus!

”We review the reviews we’ve received for The Complete World of Sports (abridged) and delight in reading the raves and criticizing the critics. Featuring “childlike glee,” an obscure Andy Griffith/Don Knotts reference, “delicious anarchy,” a special appearance by Neal Conan from National Public Radio, and our “usual lack of shame”. WARNING: CONTAINS Read more…

The Complete World of Sports (abridged)

Washington DC – We Have a Consensus!

The Complete World of Sports (abridged)
Folks in Washington DC don’t agree on much this summer. But they are unanimous in their delirious enjoyment of the DC premiere of  The Complete World of Sports (abridged) at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre.  Here’s what the critics have to say:

Washington Post: “The pacing and timing are crackerjack. It’s hard not to grin all night, so give ’em a medal: Who’s gonna beat their time in a comic sprint?” Read Review

Washington Examiner: “Delicious anarchy.” Read Full Review

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Episode 225. Sophomoric, N’est-ce Pas?

”On our drive across America’s heartland, we pass the time debating the highs and lows of high and low comedy. Featuring definitions of the word sophomoric; celebrations of satire; a special appearance by legendary Pulitzer Prize-winning sports photographer Stan Grossfeld; a sexy, sensual, and smooth station ID for Lush 99.5 Read more…

Episode 223. Live From Zaandam!

”Davey Naylor, Matt Rippy, Jeff Marlow, Tiger Reel, and Jan Duyn take time out of their busy touring schedule to reveal their day-to-day adventures on the road in Belgium and Holland. Featuring tales of Carnival, the ideal place for calling a show, an actual Dutch review read aloud in English Read more…

‘World of Sports’ “Hits It Out Of The Park”!

The Complete World of Sports (abridged)

Every audience has given us a standing ovation, and now the Boston Globe, BroadwayWorld, and the Lowell Sun agree: our seventh stage show is a hit!

The Boston Globe called The Complete World of Sports (abridged), “A fast-moving and deeply funny farrago, a neo-vaudevillian sendup that manages to be both merciless and affectionate,” in which “one sketch rapidly gives way to another, and then another, blending slapstick, sight gags, hernia-inducing puns, and genuine verbal wit.” The highly intelligent reviewer Don Acouin called it a “fast-paced sendup” and concluded “‘World of Sports’ is always on its game!

Read the whole magnificently-written review here.

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Episode 188. Reading The Reviews

”We review the reviews from our run of Completely Hollywood (abridged) at the Kennedy Center. Featuring uninformed opinions (ours), raves, pans, how to survive the critical fraternity, and a special appearance by DC institution Arch Campbell. (MP3. Length 18:33)

Episode 152. We’re Going Blu!

”We’re going blu! The Blumenthal Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, that is! But it prompts a discussion about the phrase “Family Friendly” and how (or whether) it applies to us. Featuring a wildly inaccurate review, an update on the script for The Complete World of Sports (abridged), an excerpt from Read more…