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The parodists, and first-rate comic talents, press on with super-spy material.

Thursday Jun 07, 2007.     By Rory Leahy

Theater Feed

It's remarkable how often the superhero/super-spy genre is subject to parody. Considering the impact of Austin Powers, the Adam West Batman and approximately 2.5 zillion other pop culture pastiches, one would think the comic material had pretty much been mined, especially considering that the genre rarely takes itself seriously in the first place.

Still, parodists press on, with mixed results, which is certainly true of the Annoyance Theater's current comedy piece, "Dr. Amazing Your Country Needs You," directed by Sean Cusick. "Dr. Amazing" compensates for its well-worn material and general lack of direction with an undeniable wit and energy. In the Annoyance's best tradition, the show is absurd, free-spirited and funny, and everyone—the writers/actors and the audience—seems to have a swell time.

Like any good James Bond-type adventure, "Dr. Amazing" begins with our hero, Doctor Franklin G. Amazing, aka "America's Smartest Genius" (Dave Aldridge), rescuing Miss America (Emily Candini) from the nefarious Cyber-Castro (Sam Weiner). We quickly learn, with the aid of a completely random werewolf chorus, that the year is 1969. The production does not strive for historical accuracy, however, as we soon learn that Super-Hitler (Kyle Dolan) has seized control of the moon and plans to use it to destroy the Earth. This scenario is at best loosely inspired by actual events.

The characters are the best part of this show. Mostly rooted in cliche, but reinvigorated with a twist, they are conflicted assassins, gung-ho pilots, hippie sidekicks and blonde-haired Nazi clones who theoretically serve Super-Hitler but who really just want to start a rock band. The standout is Duke Savage, an eye-patch-wearing tough guy who becomes president of the United States. His inauguration scene, in which he shoots the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the knee and proceeds to make-out with the First Lady, is one of a handful of brilliant, highly absurd pieces that make the show worth the price of admission.

Despite the unevenness, "Dr. Amazing" features an ensemble of first-rate comic talents in whom we can see many seeds of greatness.

"Dr. Amazing, Your Country Needs You" is in an open run at Annoyance Theatre. 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $10.