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2 Review(s) Total
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Annoyed says:
On Monday 4/26/04 4:29 PM
Case 1: South Park. This show has some pretty outrageous comedy, and always includes "blue" comedy - jokes that are often below the belt and push the limits of taste. Contrary to what some people may think, at its core, South Park is a very intelligent show. The writers have consistently delivered episode after episode of thought-provoking social commentary mixed with hilarious bits and quotes, many of which have made it into the national lexicon. SWEET!
Case 2: Annoyance Theatre. Definitely outrageous and blue, Annoyance lacked that basic foundation of intelligence. It seemed more like the product of an epic weed bender than a brilliant comedic mind. Their sketch pieces tried to answer the question “wouldn’t it be funny if…” rather than being real and relatable. The improv, which took a back seat to the sketch, followed suit, often resorting to gags and tasteless punch lines rather than characters, relationships and stories.
Audiences here in Seattle weren’t biting (in one case, 20 people walked out of their show). I’m sure part of this was due to Seattle’s overly-PC climate (Ironic in the neo-hippie commune that is the Pacific Northwest) but I think that’s just a small part of it. Annoyance strived for edgy, hip, smart comedy that pushes the envelope, but only accomplished empty, predictable, tasteless humor that stayed in an envelope I won’t be opening anytime soon.
Totally Disappointed says:
On Monday 4/26/04 3:42 PM
Annoying? I suppose. I hoped for much more provocative work. What I saw at this out-of-town show was mostly incompetent and forgettable - not bright enough to embrace the ideals of the work that's preceded it. Poor improv skills, sketch that's been done, was uninformed, and too long to pack punch. This group struck me as a group of middle-classers who don't get out, and haven't read - the risks taken didn't relate to anything.
To offer some enouragement, the bean sketch stood out - enjoyably honest commitment to character, and a pretty good idea. Sadly it lost its potential in going in no direction with the input of the audience.
Perhaps the greatest "annoyance" potential was that the troupe accidentally performed for a group of Catholic college students who came hoping to learn more about improv. By all accounts, this group was to confused to be offended. They were given free tickets to the theatre's late-night show. Very disappointing.
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NOTICE: This is NOT the OFFICIAL Annoyance Theatre website. These reviews are a forum for opinions about the venue that other Centerstage Chicago users may want to know, not to order merchandise, apply for a job, etc.
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