Howdy Interweb. I’m Matt Cohen, and I am a theater snob.

Okay, to be honest, I’m far from it. In my twenty-five years on this planet, most of my time has been spent deep in the world of comics, comedy and movies – with an emphasis on movies. Since before I can remember, my life revolved around all things cinematic, and this has not changed with time. I was never a musical theatre fan, and the only times I’ve gone have been mandatory, either by family or school. As far as “straight” plays, I think I’ve seen less than five performed in my life. And sure, I love comedy (specifically long form Improv, if ya please), but other then the occasional jaunt to the Upright Citizens Brigade, I don’t get out to the “Theater” much. It comes down to a general lack of interest in what’s being performed. I’d like to get out there more, but can’t seem to muster the energy for just any old show. So I wait… and wait. And wait some more. Then it happens. Once in a very long while, the right mix of my passions combine into a two-headed passion monster (pretty, I know) and I am left with no choice but to tackle the beast head-on. With scimitar in hand, I ventured into the depths of Los Angeles this past week a pair of gargantuans.

If horribly drawn metaphors aren’t your thing, I went to two stage shows this past week. I’d like to take a quick gander at my take on each, if you’d be so kind.

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The Pee-Wee Herman Show – Nokia Live, Los Angeles

I grew up a fan of Pee-Wee Herman. A lot of people my age can say the same thing. Though I missed out on the HBO show, I was the perfect viewing age for both PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE and PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE. The VHS of the Burton film was in heavy rotation in my house, and the television show was an important part of one of my most important childhood rituals – Saturday Morning TV. I owned the Playhouse playset and spent countless hours with Conkee, Chairy, Magic Screen and the rest of the gang. Cut to a few years later and “Pee-Wee-Gate” happened, forcing Mr. Reubens and his man-child alter ego out of the spotlight for too many years. The man who was Pee-Wee got sporadic supporting work in comedies and the odd TV show but the world was definitely suffering from a Pee-Wee drought. This all changed a few months ago when it was announced that Paul Reubens and many of the original stage show cast would embark on a month long run of THE PEE-WEE HERMAN SHOW – a stage revival of the original show that brought Pee-Wee and the gang to fame. I was lucky enough to check out a performance at the Nokia Club in downtown Los Angeles. I am happy to report that Pee-Wee is back – and yes, my friends, he holds up well with time.

As Pee-Wee greets the audience, one can’t help make physical comparisons to the “old” Pee-Wee. Yes, Reubens is older and a bit “wider”, and yes, the voice isn’t exactly the same one you grew up with, but man, it’s Pee-Wee. Live and in the flesh. It’s hard to describe what it feels like to see one of your “fictional” childhood heroes come to life, but I can only say this – tears were being held back (Keep in mind I’m a ridiculous person). Pee Wee then lead us through a quick introduction and a rollicking pledge of allegiance, and with that the curtains part and we’re off. Off to the Playhouse. And what a Playhouse it is. On stage in front of you lies a scaled down but incredibly faithful version of the TV show set, complete with all of your (and my) favorite characters moving and brought to life. Mostly all of the old Playhouse gang is there – Conkee, Chairy, Mr. Globe, Magic Screen, Randy, The Talking Fish, Pterry, etc. Cue those tears.

The show kicks off much in the same way the television program did, with Pee-Wee finding out “Today’s” secret word. And therein lies my biggest issue with the show – The Secret Word. It’s fun to scream at the top of your lungs when you’re home alone and when you’re seven, but stuck in a sold out theater with drunk thirty-somethings? By minute ten you want that “Secret” word to be stricken from the human language and for your fellow audience members to suddenly be stricken with laryngitis. Other then that mild complaint, I can honestly say that the show works and it works well. Pee-Wee is still just as absurd and entertaining a character as he was in the early 90’s, and to see firsthand the energy and zeal that Ruebens (who is no longer a spring chicken) brings to the role in person is really an experience I won’t soon forget.

A revamped version of the original show that ran at the Groundling and Roxy Theaters in LA, the real draw of THE PEE WEE HERMAN SHOW is a whimsical blend of bizarre and refreshingly lighthearted comedy coupled with the nostalgic value of seeing Pee-Wee and friends again (and in person for the first time). Some of the jokes fall flat and other just fail entirely, but the majority of the ninety minute show is spent in grinning rapture (at least it was in my case). It’s just so unique to see a show so rare, and one can’t help but be amused by the absurdity of it all. It’s the same old Pee-Wee brand humor – lots of puns, sight gags, prop jokes, etc, so if you weren’t a fan of Pee-Wee during his original run, his particular type of madcap might not be for you. Some low points involve some very topical gags and a few abstinence “zingers” but every comedy has its misses. I happened to laugh pretty solidly during the show, which is more then I can say for most comedic endeavors I check out nowadays. Besides the jokes, the stage cast shines as well. Not only does Ruebens return in the titular role, but the original Ms. Yvonne and Jambi (Lynne Marie Stewart & John Paragon, respectively) are back and perform their roles as if no time had passed at all (MADTV alum Phil Lamar steps in for Laurence Fishburne as Cowboy Carl). The chemistry of a cast that has been working together for a quarter of a century certainly benefits the show and makes the entire thing feel like a visit with an old friend -which sums up the entire experience quite nicely.

Other then the usual Pee-Wee brand of surreal performance art masked as kids fare, the show features some fantastic production details, front and center the aforementioned Playhouse set. The technology and design that goes into bringing all of the inanimate characters to life is really something that rivals any big time Broadway production. From the moment the curtains part you are entirely transported into the world of the Playhouse, and if that world ever meant anything to you, it will be one of the thrills of a lifetime. Colorful, vibrant, kinetic… it’s like an acid trip gone right. I would live on that set, and live on it proudly (I don’t even care about the lack of a bathroom… Pee-Wee’s got a pool, yo! Remember?). The effect is a complete disconnect from reality which is so essential in such a “non-real” show. Absolutely perfect and spot on and entirely important in creating that feeling of “familiarity” the show relies heavily on.

That may be what it comes down to. Yes, it’s funny and different and certainly more entertaining than most things on the American stage today, but it’s also a piece of my childhood brought back to life. I may be viewing this one through nostalgia-colored glasses – and if so, I apologize – but I think it’s impossible to remove one’s memories in reviewing such a show that is basically my memories come to life. This could have easily gone the route of INDY 4 and I could be dropping the too-often Geek dropped “Raped my childhood” bomb right now, but gladly and definitely I say this show is worth your time. Also, if this starts a trend of adapting late 80’s, early 90’s kids shows into stage productions, sign me up (SECRETS OF THE OOZE Reunion Tour!!!!!) Pee-Wee is back and I hope he hangs around for a long time to come.

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Broken Lizard Live – El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles

Where were you in 2002? Chances are, if you are like me, you were holed up somewhere with your favorite illicit substance and a DVD copy of comedy group Broken Lizard’s SUPER TROOPERS on permanent loop. I still consider TROOPERS one of the best comedies ever made and, to tell truths, I’ve been a pretty big fan of the troupe’s other films, CLUB DREAD and BEERFEST. At one point, I even used to tote around a… smoking implement, which I engraved (with sharpie marker) as “Broken Lizard”. So, suffice it to say, I consider myself a fan. It was to my delight that Broken Lizard announced that they would be touring the country in a live stage show and, when the group finally came my way (last show of the tour, being taped for a Comedy Central broadcast), I jumped at the chance and dragged “Bagged and Boarded” contributor Brendoman to the El Rey to take in the show. Did I live to regret that decision? Yes. Am I bad at building up tension in a story? Perhaps, my friend. Perhaps.

I arrived at a packed house for what I assumed would be a night of sketch comedy, the very thing that started the group and first brought them to infamy so many years back. What I got was a frat boy, beer-fueled heckle fest set to mediocre stand up comedy. The boys arrived on stage, did a minute or two in character from SUPER TROOPERS, and then promptly stopped, headed backstage, and re-appeared one by one for traditional stand up spots. Since the show followed that format, I thought the review should as well. Because I am extremely original. An innovator, some might say. Say it… it feels good.

Steve Lemme: Word of advice to the man who we know as Mac – A stand-up routine consisting entirely of masturbation jokes does not the funny make. This is made all the more true when you preface the act with how “dirty and edgy” you’re about to get. Keeping in theme with the lowest common denominator, Mr. Lemme serenaded us with a barrage of “masturbational observations” (think I may have just coined a phrase) that covered the gamut of everything from “early whack-off stores” to an unfortunately too live reenactment of a man having sex with a teddy bear. Lemme played the teddy bear. If that sounds like the heights of comedy then you’re in luck. If you’re like me, you will find it embarrassing and cringeworthy. Stick to the movies, homie.

Paul Soter: Meh. Another misguided attempt at capitalizing on some sort of “edginess” by creating a filthy and un-funny stand-up number. This might sound awful (in terms of my reviewing credibility), but Soter’s set was so unfunny and unremarkable that I can’t remember a single specific joke from it. I remember that he was slightly better then Lemme, but still in train wreck territory. Makes sense that the least memorable member of the group has the least memorable stand up routine.

Erik Stolhanske: Not horrible but, again, far from great. At least this Lizard wasn’t offputtingly vulgar for absolutely no reason. Allow me to clarify: I live in a world of “blue-jokes” and consider myself a big fan of off-color comedy. One rule, though – Make it funny. Otherwise, your “zingers” are a smack in the face of any intelligent comedy-minded audience who isn’t looking for the next Larry the Cable Guy. Stolhanske goes for the “family joke” genre of stand-up comedy and takes us through his experience getting his sperm count checked. Chuckle worthy without going too dark for dark, like Soter and Lemme. At least Erik comes out looking like a nice guy as opposed to some cheesy college tour comedian. A future on the stage? No. Funny guy? Sure.

Jay Chandrasekhar: If it weren’t for this man, it would have been a complete bust of a night – but if anything good came out of my Broken Lizard Live experience, it’s that I learned that Jay Chandrasekhar is a pretty damn good stand-up. The material didn’t particularly break any new ground (Jay went on a hypothetical journey about his manhood falling off), but Jay’s demeanor and polished presence on stage made for a laugh-packed, fast-paced stand-up sprint. Jokes flew quick and hit almost as often as they came. There’s no wonder Chandrasekhar has directed all the troupe’s films and seems to be the “brains” of the operation, comedy-wise. Jay seems to be the real “genius” of Broken Lizard. And unfortunately, after this show, I use that phrase very lightly.

Kevin Heffernan: Not a stand-up act as much as just a nice guy being funny on a stage (and the only other really enjoyable Lizard besides Jay). Heffernan takes us through a five minute or so look at what it’s like for the world to have seen you naked (complete with visual aide). Again, far from stand-up comedy, but Heffernan seems far from a stand-up comic. Still, he got some laughs out of me, which is more then I can say for most of his compatriots. On a side note, my favorite portion of the night was actually a story told by Heffernan and Lemme about the first time they met Patrick Swazye (not a stand-up portion… hint hint… OK, forget hints – BROKEN LIZARD: DON’T DO STAND-UP AGAIN!)

All in all, needlessly juvenile and not really funny, and it made me kind of embarrassed to consider myself a Broken Lizard fan. I still love the films and anxiously await their newest (which doesn’t seem to be getting a theatrical release), but I will definitely reserve judgment from now on before declaring them one of the “Top” troupes in comedy today.

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Sadly, that’s all for this installment. I must put on my heavy coat and once again wander out into the mysterious world of life. What perils will I meet along the way? Rockslides, paternity suits, late night disco jams – the possibilities are endless! Check back soon for a look at the very special, one time only “Tenacious D – Stand for Haiti” benefit featuring the illustrious likes of Aimee Mann, Frank Black, Russell Brand, Patton Oswalt, Bob Odenkirk, etc. And, of course, more movie reviews and special surprises are on the way.

As always, I thank you for taking my hand as I lead us on a tour of the wonderful world of talkies.

–Matt Cohen is currently a talking chair

For more Matt Cohen, check out CameltoadProductions.Com and, of course, “Bagged and Boarded“, right here at FRED entertainment.

Stalk Matt Cohen on Twitter = @CamelToad

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