No Shame Iowa City, September 22, 2006
Good show, new faces. The order is in the comments.
Just TWO WEEKS before our 20th Anniversary Week Without Shame.
Just TWO WEEKS before our 20th Anniversary Week Without Shame.
posted by AdamEggHahn at 2:06 PM
30 Comments:
Order:
1. "The Serial Killer Sketch" by Greg Machlin (interrogation of mustard)
2. "The Laundering Room" by Kery Lawson (making friends in the laundry room)
3. "MOVIE CHAT: w/Danielle and Patrick" by Danielle Santangelo and Patrick Ashcraft
4. "Complete" by Eli Wilkinson (Eli is a murderer, NOT GAY)
5. "You Can't Even Spell and Yet You're My Boss" by Evan Schenck (English BA hates his boss)
5.5. "What the Hell Am I Doing up Here?" by Nick Beatty (stand-up on being a first-timer)
6. "Scene from a Play in Progress, Tentatively Titled Jonas and the Magic Leg" by Matthew Benyo (love between amputee fetishist, guy who wants fewer limbs)
7. "Here Is Some Advice About Baseball" by Timm Sitzmann (Tabor-style monologue: Timm is good at baseball)
7.5 "Snickers vs. Whatchamacallits" by Flabbergasted Jakers (monologue: biased candy comparison)
8. "The Photographer" by ? and ? (two new guys: senior picture photo shoot)
8.5 "Crocs" by Luke Christensen (monologue: hatred of Crocs shoes)
9. "Oak, Er . . . Burrr geh?" by Chris Okerberg (monologue: talking like a kindergartener, giving up being funny)
10. "Present, We Meet Again" by Sarah Pipho (poem: past, future, present)
11. "A Holiday to Remember" by King Sophie (how to visit an aunt in Scotland)
11.5 "Mind Job" by Children of the Corn (Danielle gives Patrick a mind job)
12. "Waiting for Godot to Get Attacked by Ninjas" by Eirk Van Skanlet (attempting to write a screenplay)
13. "Searching for Timm Sitzmann" by Mirris and Travi (just like the title, except drunk)
14. "A Fugue for Lovers" by Archibald, Lily' Ghost, and Alisa Rosenthal Is So Sad Featuring the Original Broadway Cast of The Secret Garden (lip sych with puppets)
14.5 "Paincake" by Erin "Tenacious E" King (poem, pancake destruction)
15. "Eg Bio Ao Heilsa" by Rock 'n' Roll Norris (Icelandic/English monologue on studying abroad)
Announcements:
1. Website: www.noshame.org
2. No Shame 20th Anniversary
-Oct 9-14: 5 nights of regular shows, then BOBONS on Saturday
3. Yes Shame Theatre
-every OTHER Tuesday night (incl: THIS Tuesday), 8PM
-City High Little Theatre
4. Venuto's World Bistro
-Venue for music, comedy, perhaps a play festival
-Will feed performers.
-Talk to Connor. Adam has his contact info.
5. This Machine
-Improv, Saturday Sept. 30 at Venuto's, 11 PM
6. Cornfed Radio Theatre
-KRUI on Sunday nights, 11PM
-Alan Strait wants No Shame pieces for "Radioactive No Shame" segment
7. Eric's TV show
-Iowa Desk and Couch
-Sundays at 8, UITV
8. Hell's Bells and Infidels
-THIS weekend: Saturday at 2 and 8
9. Bloody Lies
-Vampire romantic comedy, the weekend before Halloween
10. City Circle New Play Festival in February
-short work submission deadline Oct 15
-www.citycircle.org
11. Don't leave your alcoholic empties in the theatre
1. "The Serial Killer Sketch" by Greg Machlin (interrogation of mustard)
I really wanted Adam hahn to drink the mustard. Other than that it was brilliant.
2. "The Laundering Room" by Kery Lawson (making friends in the laundry room)
I liked this because it's a nice twist on something we've all had happen to us. AN overly cheery person we're sure we'll hate tries to talk to us. I thought Kery opposite evan worked well.
3. "MOVIE CHAT: w/Danielle and Patrick" by Danielle Santangelo and Patrick Ashcraft
Dearest me oh my.
4. "Complete" by Eli Wilkinson (Eli is a murderer, NOT GAY)
I feel bad for having entered at the wrong time. I think this skit would have been better if Eli had had more time to write it. The idea is nice.
5. "You Can't Even Spell and Yet You're My Boss" by Evan Schenck (English BA hates his boss)
I like this thing Evan's doing lately where he acts more like how he does in real life (and his humor in real life) rather than how he thinks people want him to be funny. Does that make sense?
5.5. "What the Hell Am I Doing up Here?" by Nick Beatty (stand-up on being a first-timer)
WE all like first-timers, he handled the anxiety well.
6. "Scene from a Play in Progress, Tentatively Titled Jonas and the Magic Leg" by Matthew Benyo (love between amputee fetishist, guy who wants fewer limbs)
I found this rather delightful but I think there could have been more to it.
7. "Here Is Some Advice About Baseball" by Timm Sitzmann (Tabor-style monologue: Timm is good at baseball)
Yes. he is.
7.5 "Snickers vs. Whatchamacallits" by Flabbergasted Jakers (monologue: biased candy comparison)
I like the way Jake talks in his skits. He's done better though.
8. "The Photographer" by ? and ? (two new guys: senior picture photo shoot)
I liked the start... it got long in the middle and the end was abrupt. not too bad though.
8.5 "Crocs" by Luke Christensen (monologue: hatred of Crocs shoes)
I think he was very nervous. I understood the premis and enjoyed it but I think he could have done more with it. Thats just part of getting used to writing and being on stage though.
9. "Oak, Er . . . Burrr geh?" by Chris Okerberg (monologue: talking like a kindergartener, giving up being funny)
I like him. Very talented actor. I wonder how many differnet nationalities we will see this semester.
10. "Present, We Meet Again" by Sarah Pipho (poem: past, future, present)
This idea behind this poem was well portrayed.
11. "A Holiday to Remember" by King Sophie (how to visit an aunt in Scotland)
I've decided that I kind of really like Sophie. She shoudl always write skits.
11.5 "Mind Job" by Children of the Corn (Danielle gives Patrick a mind job)
I can't remember what this was about. But replace mind with blow and it sounds dirty.
12. "Waiting for Godot to Get Attacked by Ninjas" by Eirk Van Skanlet (attempting to write a screenplay)
Ninjas are mentioned a lot.
13. "Searching for Timm Sitzmann" by Mirris and Travi (just like the title, except drunk)
every time I do skits like this one I think they went over poorly. I cna't tell with this one. But I knwo both traivs and I got to grope Timm way more than we would normally and we liked that.
14. "A Fugue for Lovers" by Archibald, Lily' Ghost, and Alisa Rosenthal Is So Sad Featuring the Original Broadway Cast of The Secret Garden (lip sych with puppets)
I'd like to see more with puppets. she had feet too. She can still make that work somehow.
14.5 "Paincake" by Erin "Tenacious E" King (poem, pancake destruction)
I way liked this. I way don't like pancakes though. I dont' know whats wrong with me.
15. "Eg Bio Ao Heilsa" by Rock 'n' Roll Norris (Icelandic/English monologue on studying abroad
I totally understand exactly what mark is going through here. Except it would be worse for him because i was only in Russia two summers and he was in Iceland a year. Plus I think the icelandic in this piece was very beautiful. I also liked the line about being emo so thus feeling cheap when expressing emotion. This is indeed what Emo has done to all of us.
PATRICK--
"13. "Searching for Timm Sitzmann" by Mirris and Travi (just like the title, except drunk)
Man I loved watching Mirri and Travis get drunk."
I was in this piece but didn't have any lines. You forgot to say it would have been better if I wasn't in it.
1. Of the four pieces I've done for NoShame, this was my favorite. (The script actually called for him to lick the mustard...The Chief interceding worked almost as well.)
2. Good but I didn't understand the ending with the 2nd guy.
3. Movie chat--very good improv.
4. Complete--good ending.
5. One of Evan's best pieces, I thought.
5.5 Welcome Nick! Well done. I liked it.
6. Jonas Magic Leg--Funny, ending a bit abrupt.
7. Baseball--one of my favorites of the evening. Tim tapped into his 8-year-old-self extremely well.
(rest to be posted later)
1. "The Serial Killer Sketch" by Greg Machlin
I think my favorite part of this piece wasn't that the mustard was a serial killer under interrogation, but that the mustard had a high-priced defense attorney. Good performances all around.
2. "The Laundering Room" by Kery Lawson
Good job if you're reading this Kery, but it would have been better if I hadn't been in it.
3. "MOVIE CHAT: w/Danielle and Patrick" by Danielle Santangelo and Patrick Ashcraft
This was a good improvisational piece. I thought Danielle sold it a little better.
4. "Complete" by Eli Wilkinson
Good Eli piece. Foul concept, topical plot piece, and killer punchline.
5. "You Can't Even Spell and Yet You're My Boss" by Evan Schenck
This piece would have been better if I hadn't written in it or been in it. I tried to give myself way fewer lines than normal in an effort to appease Patrick Ashcraft but evidently I failed. Is human sacrifice on the altar of Hector the necessary next step?
5.5. "What the Hell Am I Doing up Here?" by Nick Beatty
I liked this piece; it's good that a person who got randomly dragged onto stage got a taste for it. I hope to see more from this guy. Also maybe we should drag more random people onto stage.
6. "Scene from a Play in Progress, Tentatively Titled Jonas and the Magic Leg" by Matthew Benyo
Excellent, I would probably see this play.
7. "Here Is Some Advice About Baseball" by Timm Sitzmann
Timm Sitzmann is really good at Tabor-style monologues. His delivery was a little different in that it had a little more energy in it, and he didn't seem to be yelling at me.
7.5 "Snickers vs. Whatchamacallits" by Flabbergasted Jakers
I think this was a good piece but not necessarily up to the standards established by previous Flabbergasted Jakers pieces.
8. "The Photographer" by ? and ?
This piece would have been better if it was shorter. In the event it was one joke twenty times, so the charm wore off fast. Also the very high-schoolish "Gay/Not Gay" thing wasn't cool.
8.5 "Crocs" by Luke Christensen
I agree with this man, and also Crocs were/are (do people still wear them? I don't really look at other peoples' feet) ugly.
9. "Oak, Er . . . Burrr geh?" by Chris Okerberg
I don't think giving up being funny worked out for him because he was still funny. Very funny.
10. "Present, We Meet Again" by Sarah Pipho
Excellent Poem; this girl should come back to No-Shame and I apologize for not being more welcoming to new people.
11. "A Holiday to Remember" by King Sophie
The logistics of travelling to Scotland by land are indeed a fit topic for conversation.
11.5 "Mind Job" by Children of the Corn
I should try that out some time.
12. "Waiting for Godot to Get Attacked by Ninjas" by Eirk Van Skanlet
I may have overracted in this piece but I thought it was perhaps appropriate to the piece; I don't think it would have come off if I had done it in my usual low-energy (read: half-assed) way. That said, it would have been better if I had not been in it.
13. "Searching for Timm Sitzmann" by Mirris and Travis
I've been waiting to see this for a while and it did not disappoint. Timm Sitzmann proved difficult to pin to the ground and smother even with a dozen people working together.
14. "A Fugue for Lovers" by Archibald, Lily' Ghost, and Alisa Rosenthal Is So Sad Featuring the Original Broadway Cast of The Secret Garden
Wow, this was top quality. It built up slow but it reached a great climax (see piece #11.5). I also appreciated how unique it was; I don't think I've seen another lip sync cum puppet show at NS.
14.5 "Paincake" by Erin "Tenacious E" King
Delicious. I winced when I saw her go to eat the pancake that had been on the table, because I knew it was going to end up with a foreign object in it. Also eating a piece off the pancake in her bra was a funny surprise.
15. "Eg Bio Ao Heilsa" by Rock 'n' Roll Norris
I'm sorry I didn't ask Rock 'n' Roll Norris about his trip to Iceland, but I don't know him that well and it probably wouldn't have been appropriate for me to just randomly bring it up. Also I wouldn't have known what to ask about, because my knowledge of Iceland is minimal. Therefore I place all blame on people like Mirri, who apparently knows Mark Norris but failed to be sufficiently interested in Iceland.
Icelandic was a surprisingly lyrical language.
MIRRI--
"I like this thing Evan's doing lately where he acts more like how he does in real life (and his humor in real life) rather than how he thinks people want him to be funny. Does that make sense?"
Yes, it does. In the Sept. 8 reviews a couple people (Danielle and... Mortimer Snert) said that my pieces were kind of formulaic (even if the formula worked), and I do try to respond to criticism. So, two pieces breaking my formula; this coming Friday I might do a monologue, I don't know.
7.5 Snickers vs. … enjoyable, but a bit too long? I don't remember that much.
8. The Photographer--welcome first-timers! I liked it, *but*--1) too long; 2) too repetitious--e.g. photographer puts on "gay" song, student freaks out was done I think four times at least. In order to make this interesting things needed to go back and forth or twist in some manner--e.g. at some point the student had to start coming on to the photographer (which the photographer would resist). Also, for the ending to really work, the photographer and student should have made out/jumped each others' bones.
Also, time it before you perform it to make sure it's under five minutes and always test your equipment before the show! But come back soon.
8.5) Crocs--decent, I guess. I remember this being funny, but not much else.
9) Oak, Er… good, but this is the second time Chris has done a monologue where he starts with an accent, then loses it, then interacts with the audience. I'd really like to see him do something different (piece with multiple people) before this becomes a pattern.
10) Present: I'm glad somebody's doing serious stuff.
11) Holiday to remember: Good piece. I remember enjoying the punchline, but I have no idea what it was. Could have used some movement.
11.5: Mind Job--this was funny.
12) Waiting for Godot to get attacked by Ninjas--I would have liked to see part of the actual screenplay staged, although that would have made this a much more complicated piece.
13) Searching for Tim Sitzman--another favorite. Rhyming was extremely well-executed, the twist ending with Patrick carrying Tim off was a great ending. Very well done.
14) Fugue for Lovers: Yet another favorite. When Alisa & the two puppets were singing, it was just brilliant.
14.5) Paincake: Flat-out amazing. I loved it.
15) Iceland--very good and obviously heartfelt.
1. "The Serial Killer Sketch" by Greg Machlin (interrogation of mustard)
Very funny. Great premise, clear characters, and the specification of POURABLE mustard brought it home.
2. "The Laundering Room" by Kery Lawson (making friends in the laundry room)
Cute! I loved Kery's performance in this. Parts of it were confusing... the laundering money thing? I want to say that I get it, and I think I do, but you lost me a bit there.
3. "MOVIE CHAT: w/Danielle and Patrick" by Danielle Santangelo and Patrick Ashcraft
Whoa No Shame, improv TWO weeks in a row? Cool. The best part of this was when Patrick had built up this extremely perverse and erotic movie, and then he had to say it was "The Waterboy." Which you could see he really didn't want to. Awesome.
4. "Complete" by Eli Wilkinson (Eli is a murderer, NOT GAY)
Sorry Eli, I don't remember this too well. But the one line I do remember really stuck out to me, that you're not whole until you have someone else's blood on your hands. It's still creepy though.
5. "You Can't Even Spell and Yet You're My Boss" by Evan Schenck (English BA hates his boss)
YEAH!! FUCK BOSSES!! Great performances in this, and I agree with I think Mirri who said she liked that Evan is acting more like real Evan, not that I know real Evan too well except for when I see him by that graffitied tunnel near EPB, but he's really fine-tuning whoever this character is and I like it. Eric was perfect in it too. This scene kind of reminded me of the British show "Peep Show," which you should try to download or something, because it's right up your alley-- that is assuming I've understood your taste aptly, Evan.
5.5. "What the Hell Am I Doing up Here?" by Nick Beatty (stand-up on being a first-timer)
Nick! Stand-up! Great rhythm and flow to it. Keep working on it and coming back!
6. "Scene from a Play in Progress, Tentatively Titled Jonas and the Magic Leg" by Matthew Benyo (love between amputee fetishist, guy who wants fewer limbs)
I don't remember this one well either, but I recall liking the ending because it was bizarre in that full-circly kind of way.
7. "Here Is Some Advice About Baseball" by Timm Sitzmann (Tabor-style monologue: Timm is good at baseball)
Timm wins! I love Timm's stage presence. I just really all-around liked this piece, especially how Timm described all the different aspects that he ruled at. I also just really like typing Timm with two m's. Timm.
7.5 "Snickers vs. Whatchamacallits" by Flabbergasted Jakers (monologue: biased candy comparison)
This made me hungry. FOR MORE COMEDY OH!
8. "The Photographer" by ? and ? (two new guys: senior picture photo shoot)
? and ? are clearly good performers together, and I could tell that they really worked on this scene since it was so polished. It started out pretty funny, specifically the use of "Baker Street" that made me pee my pants, but as the gay jokes got more and more plentiful (and "Brokeback Mountain"? come on guys), the scene deteriorated into something predictable and homophobic. That said, I still think these guys are capable of doing some really great stuff, so I do hope to see ? and ? again!
8.5 "Crocs" by Luke Christensen (monologue: hatred of Crocs shoes)
This was a pretty great little piece. The correlation between pregnant girls and crocs has never been brought to my attention, but Luke sold it!
9. "Oak, Er . . . Burrr geh?" by Chris Okerberg (monologue: talking like a kindergartener, giving up being funny)
I love these monologues that Chris does. His experiments with accents and audience assualting as pretty fun. I'm looking forward to where he'll go next... hopefully bits and pieces of all the characters he's creating will lead up to something.
10. "Present, We Meet Again" by Sarah Pipho (poem: past, future, present)
Such confidence for a first time performer! Very nice work with very personal stuff.
11. "A Holiday to Remember" by King Sophie (how to visit an aunt in Scotland)
Haha I liked this one a lot. Even thinking back to it brings a little smile to my face.
11.5 "Mind Job" by Children of the Corn (Danielle gives Patrick a mind job)
Ooohhh I had forgotten the title. Now I get it.
12. "Waiting for Godot to Get Attacked by Ninjas" by Eirk Van Skanlet (attempting to write a screenplay)
Awesome. You know how in playwriting classes and stuff they tell you that you should write stories that need to be told? This was a story that needed to be told.
13. "Searching for Timm Sitzmann" by Mirris and Travi (just like the title, except drunk)
Bringing poor Timm on the stage and making out over him was really a highlight of my week. I also like it when people are unexpectedly assaulted. A+.
14. "A Fugue for Lovers" by Archibald, Lily' Ghost, and Alisa Rosenthal Is So Sad Featuring the Original Broadway Cast of The Secret Garden (lip sych with puppets)
Hmm. B+/A-.
14.5 "Paincake" by Erin "Tenacious E" King (poem, pancake destruction)
I LOVED THIS. Absolutely dead on performance, where she was taking it seriously with a smug smile.
15. "Eg Bio Ao Heilsa" by Rock 'n' Roll Norris (Icelandic/English monologue on studying abroad)
I don't know if I've ever seen a piece quite like this in my time at No Shame. Mark put so much into it, and went through so much as he read it that it could do nothing but effect you. And I've never heard Mark speak so much Icelandic at a time, and it's really beautiful. A phenomenal piece.
1. "The Serial Killer Sketch" by Greg Machlin (interrogation of mustard)
Too soon! This piece didn't really do it for me. It was a funny/quirky idea to interrogate mustard, but it didn't really go anywhere from that, which I wish it would have.
2. "The Laundering Room" by Kery Lawson (making friends in the laundry room)
This piece was fine. I didn't hate it.
3. "MOVIE CHAT: w/Danielle and Patrick" by Danielle Santangelo and Patrick Ashcraft
This piece seemed a little too much like a standard improv game.
4. "Complete" by Eli Wilkinson (Eli is a murderer, NOT GAY)
The only thing that I remember about this one is that Eli kept yelling "I killed a man!" at performers for the rest of the show.
5. "You Can't Even Spell and Yet You're My Boss" by Evan Schenck (English BA hates his boss)
I liked this. It really hit home.
5.5. "What the Hell Am I Doing up Here?" by Nick Beatty (stand-up on being a first-timer)
The irony of this piece was that he talked about how he didn't want to be cliche, but, at No Shame, doing your first piece about how it is your first IS cliche.
6. "Scene from a Play in Progress, Tentatively Titled Jonas and the Magic Leg" by Matthew Benyo (love between amputee fetishist, guy who wants fewer limbs)
I like this guy. He seems good.
7. "Here Is Some Advice About Baseball" by Timm Sitzmann (Tabor-style monologue: Timm is good at baseball)
All I could think about was "This is exactally like something that I would've written!" Honestly, my initial reaction was jealousy and outrage, but by the end of it I was cool. THEN he said "In conclusion:" and I flipped out, because I alwasy thought of that as one of my "calling cards." I felt a little ripped off by this monolgue. After the show, Jesse Blaine said "Did you write Timm's piece?" and I replied "I was wondering the same thing!"
7.5 "Snickers vs. Whatchamacallits" by Flabbergasted Jakers (monologue: biased candy comparison)
I'm suprised by the small number of people the know that I am the person that writes the Flabbergasted Jakers pieces.
8. "The Photographer" by ? and ? (two new guys: senior picture photo shoot)
I didn't really like it.
8.5 "Crocs" by Luke Christensen (monologue: hatred of Crocs shoes)
I didn't really pay attention to it.
9. "Oak, Er . . . Burrr geh?" by Chris Okerberg (monologue: talking like a kindergartener, giving up being funny)
I don't really remember it.
10. "Present, We Meet Again" by Sarah Pipho (poem: past, future, present)
I liked it pretty well.
11. "A Holiday to Remember" by King Sophie (how to visit an aunt in Scotland)
This was pretty funny.
11.5 "Mind Job" by Children of the Corn (Danielle gives Patrick a mind job)
I don't remember this at all.
12. "Waiting for Godot to Get Attacked by Ninjas" by Eirk Van Skanlet (attempting to write a screenplay)
I didn't really like this.
13. "Searching for Timm Sitzmann" by Mirris and Travi (just like the title, except drunk)
This was OK.
14. "A Fugue for Lovers" by Archibald, Lily' Ghost, and Alisa Rosenthal Is So Sad Featuring the Original Broadway Cast of The Secret Garden (lip sych with puppets)
14.5 "Paincake" by Erin "Tenacious E" King (poem, pancake destruction)
These two pieces were the best two pieces of the night. Both of them were very original and different and very enjoyable. Both of them had great use of props. I was floored.
15. "Eg Bio Ao Heilsa" by Rock 'n' Roll Norris (Icelandic/English monologue on studying abroad)
I liked seeing Rock 'n' Roll (whom I nicknamed!) getting personal. It was a nice break from the usual things that you see at No Shame. The show ended on a high note for me.
1. "The Serial Killer Sketch" by Greg Machlin
HILARIOUS! Well done, Greg!
2. "The Laundering Room" by Kery Lawson
Predictable but well-acted.
3. "MOVIE CHAT: w/Danielle and Patrick" by Danielle Santangelo and Patrick Ashcraft
Every time I watch improv, it makes me want to do improv. Funny, but might have gone on just a little too long.
4. "Complete" by Eli Wilkinson
Mirri coming in too early gave away the comedic surprise at the end, which consequently made the buildup not as effective because we knew it was going to turn out funny.
5. "You Can't Even Spell and Yet You're My Boss" by Evan Schenck
Evan tried something new, and it worked. Thumbs up.
5.5. "What the Hell Am I Doing up Here?" by Nick Beatty
Yes, your first No Shame piece being about how it's your first No Shame piece is a cliche. The No Shame audience is supportive, and we hope you come up with something better next time.
6. "Scene from a Play in Progress, Tentatively Titled Jonas and the Magic Leg" by Matthew Benyo
Bizarre, but funny. A little slow-paced.
7. "Here Is Some Advice About Baseball" by Timm Sitzmann
Very Michael Tabor-esque and funny in the same regard.
7.5 "Snickers vs. Whatchamacallits" by Flabbergasted Jakers
Didn't do much for me.
8. "The Photographer" by ? and ?
It was predictable, and it went on too long. I hope for tighter writing from these guys in the future.
8.5 "Crocs" by Luke Christensen
Pretty good.
9. "Oak, Er . . . Burrr geh?" by Chris Okerberg
I like Chris' interaction with the audience.
10. "Present, We Meet Again" by Sarah Pipho
The most daring of the pieces by newbies because it was a serious one.
11. "A Holiday to Remember" by King Sophie
Decent.
11.5 "Mind Job" by Children of the Corn
This was good because it relied on the stage presence of the actors rather than dialogue. Good.
12. "Waiting for Godot to Get Attacked by Ninjas" by Eirk Van Skanklet
This would not have been better without Evan in it because I wrote it as a parody of Evan's earlier work. Evan doing something different in his piece earlier in the night made me think the effect of this one would be lost, but I was told after the show that some people thought Evan had written it himself, which I regard as a success.
13. "Searching for Timm Sitzmann" by Mirris and Travi
It was fun to tackle Timm. Timm, why don't you want to be loved? Let us love you!!!
14. "A Fugue for Lovers" by Archibald, Lily' Ghost, and Alisa Rosenthal Is So Sad Featuring the Original Broadway Cast of The Secret Garden
Very funny. Being able to lip/hand-synch three parts at once takes practice. Good show.
14.5 "Paincake" by Erin "Tenacious E" King
Funny.
15. "Eg Bio Ao Heilsa" by Rock 'n' Roll Norris
This piece took some courage. I agree with Mark's comments about emo and how it makes us think any displays of emotion are cheap.
1. "The Serial Killer Sketch" by Greg Machlin (interrogation of mustard)
I left briefly during the middle of this, so I can't give an extremely thoughtful review of it, but the parts I saw I enjoyed.
2. "The Laundering Room" by Kery Lawson (making friends in the laundry room)
Laundry rooms seem to be the thing lately. This was pretty funny, but kind of went on for a little longer than was necessary in the middle. Over all, I liked it, and it began a long string of pieces where I wasn't sure who wrote them while I was watching them.
3. "MOVIE CHAT: w/Danielle and Patrick" by Danielle Santangelo and Patrick Ashcraft
IIII liked it. My favorite was that Danielle ate a good amount of paper. That seems to be another theme of late.
4. "Complete" by Eli Wilkinson (Eli is a murderer, NOT GAY)
Hmm... Not the best he's done, though still fairly enjoyable. I think I missed something at the end...
5. "You Can't Even Spell and Yet You're My Boss" by Evan Schenck (English BA hates his boss)
Another where I wasn't sure who wrote it while I was watching it. I enjoyed it very much regardless, and seeing who wrote it now, I am even more impressed.
5.5. "What the Hell Am I Doing up Here?" by Nick Beatty (stand-up on being a first-timer)
It was funny. He seemed maybe a little nervous, but it didn't really get in the way of the piece. He should come back.
6. "Scene from a Play in Progress, Tentatively Titled Jonas and the Magic Leg" by Matthew Benyo (love between amputee fetishist, guy who wants fewer limbs)
I liked it. It was very well performed.
7. "Here Is Some Advice About Baseball" by Timm Sitzmann (Tabor-style monologue: Timm is good at baseball)
When you are so small, you should not be allowed to be childishly charming at will, and then not expect to be group hugged later in the evening. This was one of my favorites of the night.
7.5 "Snickers vs. Whatchamacallits" by Flabbergasted Jakers (monologue: biased candy comparison)
It was funny, but not his best. I think perhaps it would've been better without the chanting.
8. "The Photographer" by ? and ? (two new guys: senior picture photo shoot)
I liked it overall, but the middle was kind of drawn out. It felt a bit like an improv that goes on too long and starts repeating itself.
8.5 "Crocs" by Luke Christensen (monologue: hatred of Crocs shoes)
Oh man. Those shoes. What's up with them? I mean really, what's up with them? This guy should come back too.
9. "Oak, Er . . . Burrr geh?" by Chris Okerberg (monologue: talking like a kindergartener, giving up being funny)
I kind of don't remember this one very well, but I think I liked it?
10. "Present, We Meet Again" by Sarah Pipho (poem: past, future, present)
I'm sorry, I totally spaced out while this was going on. I'm sure it was good, I'm sorry I missed it.
11. "A Holiday to Remember" by King Sophie (how to visit an aunt in Scotland)
I was doing some weird stuff with my voice, and I can't say it was on purpose. I think it went okay. Not my best.
11.5 "Mind Job" by Children of the Corn (Danielle gives Patrick a mind job)
Wow, I completely forget this one. Did it happen for really? No idea.
12. "Waiting for Godot to Get Attacked by Ninjas" by Eirk Van Skanlet (attempting to write a screenplay)
I like the title better than the piece itself... I definately just read that play today. The ninja thing has been done, it's humor is kind of gone. There were some good lines in this, mostly the ones that did not mention ninjas.
13. "Searching for Timm Sitzmann" by Mirris and Travi (just like the title, except drunk)
Hey, I like you too, Mirri! Thank you for putting me in your piece, I hope I didn't screw it up.
14. "A Fugue for Lovers" by Archibald, Lily' Ghost, and Alisa Rosenthal Is So Sad Featuring the Original Broadway Cast of The Secret Garden (lip sych with puppets)
Genius.
14.5 "Paincake" by Erin "Tenacious E" King (poem, pancake destruction)
Also Genius. Probably not actually a .5... I loved it. The writing and the performance were splendid. I am all for making fun of overly dramatic performance art.
15. "Eg Bio Ao Heilsa" by Rock 'n' Roll Norris (Icelandic/English monologue on studying abroad)
It was so pretty. I don't know if that was really the intention of the piece, and my guess is that it was not, but I thought it was so pretty. I have recently been thinking a lot of the things that he was saying, but not been able to articulate them (though, clearly not the bits about Iceland specifically). It was so pretty.
About the weeklong NS and BOBONS - is there a poster design for this specific NS event, or are people just kind of making their own posters? Or not? Or something?
1. "The Serial Killer Sketch" by Greg Machlin (interrogation of mustard)
Great idea, good acting, good writing, except. i'm beginning to feel that almost all pieces have too many characters and too much going on. I feel this piece should have only been the two interrogators and the mustard. maybe the lawyer at the end. the rest of it is good, but should have been a separate piece. 5 minutes isn't very much time and you end up trying to squeeze too much into it.
2. "The Laundering Room" by Kery Lawson (making friends in the laundry room)
enjoyable. maybe a little long.
3. "MOVIE CHAT: w/Danielle and Patrick" by Danielle Santangelo and Patrick Ashcraft
i feel like it would have been funnier if the names of the movies were made up and the improv was creating a story line based on the movie title. i'm saying that because that's what i htought it was when i heard the concept and everything needs to conform to my preconcieved ideas.
4. "Complete" by Eli Wilkinson (Eli is a murderer, NOT GAY)
i thought that the mom caring about him being gay and not a murderer was funny.
5. "You Can't Even Spell and Yet You're My Boss" by Evan Schenck (English BA hates his boss)
i liked the inner monologue narration coming from a separate actor.
5.5. "What the Hell Am I Doing up Here?" by Nick Beatty (stand-up on being a first-timer)
cliche? everything's cliche. it's cliche to call something cliche if it's actually cliche, especially when everyone already knows it's cliche.
that being said, we understand that you're nervous or not used to being on stage.... but we wouldn't have known if you hadn't said anything. so don't. say anything about it.
6. "Scene from a Play in Progress, Tentatively Titled Jonas and the Magic Leg" by Matthew Benyo (love between amputee fetishist, guy who wants fewer limbs)
i remember thinking that it was good. (i waited too long to write a review)
7. "Here Is Some Advice About Baseball" by Timm Sitzmann (Tabor-style monologue: Timm is good at baseball)
i'm not kidding. i'm really good at baseball.
7.5 "Snickers vs. Whatchamacallits" by Flabbergasted Jakers (monologue: biased candy comparison)
michael, i like the idea that you told me after the show.
8. "The Photographer" by ? and ? (two new guys: senior picture photo shoot)
making fun of senior pictures is funny, but as others said it was the same punch line over and over. it could have been shorter.
8.5 "Crocs" by Luke Christensen (monologue: hatred of Crocs shoes)
perfect. good delivery, good material, and a seemingly comfortable stage presence
9. "Oak, Er . . . Burrr geh?" by Chris Okerberg (monologue: talking like a kindergartener, giving up being funny)
i guess it was kind of the same format as the other one? which i like. i wish no shame had more recurring characters like this: you don't need to have seen the other to enjoy it, but it does enhance it.
10. "Present, We Meet Again" by Sarah Pipho (poem: past, future, present)
this was good. please come back.
11. "A Holiday to Remember" by King Sophie (how to visit an aunt in Scotland)
enjoyable. i had a few laughs
11.5 "Mind Job" by Children of the Corn (Danielle gives Patrick a mind job)
good point five: quick, funny patrick ashcracting (ashcraft acting)
12. "Waiting for Godot to Get Attacked by Ninjas" by Eirk Van Skanlet (attempting to write a screenplay)
this piece didn't engage me. meta-theatrical pieces don't usually interest me unless there's a twist or something unique... i liked the references to certain artists whom i can't remember but at the time thought i knew but now wonder if i just didn't want to be the only one not laughing
13. "Searching for Timm Sitzmann" by Mirris and Travi (just like the title, except drunk)
i liked it and i think the end played out as perfectly as possible
14. "A Fugue for Lovers" by Archibald, Lily' Ghost, and Alisa Rosenthal Is So Sad Featuring the Original Broadway Cast of The Secret Garden (lip sych with puppets)
would it be possible to cut 23 seconds out? because then i'm in love with it. otherwise i just want to date it for a while and then not call it again.
14.5 "Paincake" by Erin "Tenacious E" King (poem, pancake destruction)
THIS WASN"T A POINT 5 YOU LIAR
ahaah
i liked it.
15. "Eg Bio Ao Heilsa" by Rock 'n' Roll Norris (Icelandic/English monologue on studying abroad)
this was a very honest piece. no simbolic imagery or superfluous writing just, some icelandic stuff and then straightforward talk. i liked it a lot and can understand where you're coming from but not completely b/c i was only gone for a semester and have been back for a while but it still feels weird to have another life that nobody can really understand, not even your closest friends.
Timm-"it's cliche to call something cliche if it's actually cliche, especially when everyone already knows it's cliche."
Even if we do all know a cliche is a cliche, some of us just like to think out loud.
I want some popcorn.
I killed a man...
Here's a mean fantasy review of what I think I might have thought of the show, had I been there. Please don't read it, it's private. Thank you.
1. "The Serial Killer Sketch" by Greg Machlin (interrogation of mustard)
Interrogating inanimate objects is kind of fun/ny I guess, but I think it's more something that should be done at home, on your own time.
2. "The Laundering Room" by Kery Lawson (making friends in the laundry room)
This is kind of unrealistic: I've never made friends in a laundry room. EVER. You know what I'd like to see for once? Maybe a piece about doing LAUNDRY in a laundry room! THAT I could belive! Am I right? Fuck off.
3. "MOVIE CHAT: w/Danielle and Patrick" by Danielle Santangelo and Patrick Ashcraft
I like movies as much as the next guy (just kidding), but I'm having trouble thinking about it right now. My Sam Cooke CD is skipping. It sounds weird.
4. "Complete" by Eli Wilkinson (Eli is a murderer, NOT GAY)
I'm not into murdering, that's some messed up bullshit. I like gayness way way better. You played the odds and you lost, Eli. You lost!
5. "You Can't Even Spell and Yet You're My Boss" by Evan Schenck (English BA hates his boss)
I don't feel like poor spelling is grounds for hating someone; I never even gradiated high school & I can probably spell better than all you motherfuckers, but I don't hold it against you. So let it go, Evan: get over yourself, get on with your life.
5.5. "What the Hell Am I Doing up Here?" by Nick Beatty (stand-up on being a first-timer)
I love the piece where a new guy writes about how this is his 1st time performing at No Shame, and how he's a little nervous, and how he hopes it "doesn't suck". It always sucks, and I always love it.
6. "Scene from a Play in Progress, Tentatively Titled Jonas and the Magic Leg" by Matthew Benyo (love between amputee fetishist, guy who wants fewer limbs)
Too "wacky" for my taste. How's this for a premise?: a love affair between some regular dude... and ANOTHER regulgar dude and/or lady. That's more true-to-life, but it's still got MEAT, you know? Write it, show it to me, I'll tell you if you can perform it or not.
7. "Here Is Some Advice About Baseball" by Timm Sitzmann (Tabor-style monologue: Timm is good at baseball)
Tabor's gonna break Tim's nose for stealing his shit. He told me he was. I'm not getting involved, but, just: heads up.
7.5 "Snickers vs. Whatchamacallits" by Flabbergasted Jakers (monologue: biased candy comparison)
Jake is such a charming performer, and a hiLARious writer! Where does he come up with his hilarious ideas each week?! I nominate Jake Gontero: most hilarious No Shame writer!!
8. "The Photographer" by ? and ? (two new guys: senior picture photo shoot)
No Shame is a fucking weird place to get your senior portraits done. It's not even got like a neat looking set or anything. People should stick with their "sitting under a tree", or "posing with their cool guitar" shots we've all come to know and love.
8.5 "Crocs" by Luke Christensen (monologue: hatred of Crocs shoes)
I don't feel like Croc shoes are grounds for hating someone. No more than clothes in general, which yeah, are weird & ugly, and certainly do help single us out as the most tackiest looking species on the entire planet, but there's not much to be done about it, yeah? So lighten up, Luke. Get over it.
9. "Oak, Er . . . Burrr geh?" by Chris Okerberg (monologue: talking like a kindergartener, giving up being funny)
I like how this guy realized part way through that talking like a kindergartener is not that great, that he was NOT going to succeed at having a funny monologue, and then he pretty much abandoned the piece all together. To me, that's what MADE it funny. I nominate it for "The Adam Hahn 'Best of Things!' Extravaganza."
10. "Present, We Meet Again" by Sarah Pipho (poem: past, future, present)
Don't remember it, sorry.
11. "A Holiday to Remember" by King Sophie (how to visit an aunt in Scotland)
...There was some dude poking around outside my work. At 1st I was scared, but then he was like, "...uh...you fix-a TV?...no...?" And I said, "No, we're just a TV station." Now it's all cool. He left. I liked him.
11.5 "Mind Job" by Children of the Corn (Danielle gives Patrick a mind job)
Great, Good.
12. "Waiting for Godot to Get Attacked by Ninjas" by Eirk Van Skanlet (attempting to write a screenplay)
No. No thanks.
13. "Searching for Timm Sitzmann" by Mirris and Travi (just like the title, except drunk)
I TELL you who's searching for Tim Sitzman, and it ain't those guys! (It's Michael Tabor. He's going to punch Tim's nose and break it.)
14. "A Fugue for Lovers" by Archibald, Lily' Ghost, and Alisa Rosenthal Is So Sad Featuring the Original Broadway Cast of The Secret Garden (lip sych with puppets)
I don't really dig puppets. Except maybe like, marionettes. And shadow puppets are cool. Also, those huge fucking Chinese dragon things that they have at festivals and that.
14.5 "Paincake" by Erin "Tenacious E" King (poem, pancake destruction)
Yeah, I like pancakes. What's not to like? I don't really understand that.
15. "Eg Bio Ao Heilsa" by Rock 'n' Roll Norris (Icelandic/English monologue on studying abroad)
Yeah yeah yeah. Save it for Mose: he'll talk your "studying abroad" ear the fuck OFF. No joke. One time, we sent him to a party where he didn't know anybody, in the hopes of making the motherfucker uncomfortable. But we get there, and wouldn't you know: the sombitch has people crowded round him, listening with rapt attention to his merry tales of gay Paris or some bullshit. Fuck that. I know I'm too poor and lazy to have ever actually gone anywhere in this wide, shitty world, but why you gotta rub it in? Fuck it.
Pretty good show overall, I really like it.
In reply to Katy's poster query:
Our professional poster artwork should be finished in Los Angeles today. That'll be what we distribute in the dorms, etc.
That is not to say that you cannot design, print, and distribute your own posters.
Also, tell people to come.
Also, show up.
Oh Paddy, I can't belive you wanna lock horns with me on this one. ...Jake Gontero not funny? Well kick me in ute, why don'tcha? Why don'tcha? You might as well, bro, it's going down the same way. Now: I'm not gonna argue with you: most people, No Shame or otherwise, are so brain-devouringly unfunny, that it desperately makes me want to curl up iinside myself & cry. Only it hurts so bad I CAN'T cry anymore. I can only sit. And quietly die inside. And mourn my own loss of innocence to that which would have one dyin' and buryin', rather than see this ugly world for one more day.
But that's MOST No Shame stuff (and the rest of everythingin the world too, to some extent). But Jake Gontero not funny? Ooh. I'm gonna have to take some fackin issue with this one. In a big big way. I don't care if the man writes his own work, I don't care if the man even ENJOYS PERFORMING the work (which is very questionable). Jake Gontero possesses that most rare, indefinable quality of stage charisma as I have only had the honor to witness a few times in this life.
I don't take this lightly, mo-fo. I think you well understand when I say that the list of people who have really REALLY made me laugh is pretty short (OK, yeah: I'll laugh at any stupid shit, but I usually don't enjoy the experience very much. DEEP, PAINFUL laughter, that's another thing all together.)
The only 5 No Shame performers I can think of who've made me laugh: hard as I'm physically able, would have to be (making lists of "fav 5's!" is some nauseating bullshit in and of its own damn self, but I'm trying to make a point: I'm trying to express with some impact how fucking RAD NS-Jake has me runnin'): Chris Stangl (very mean and funny), Neil Campbell (very funny, later on: pretty mean), Mike Cassidy (total funny), Paul Rust (funny and also genuinely weird. And gross)& Jake Gontero. Fuckin YEAH! BOO-yah! Nicest of them all, and funny as all get out.
SHITTYeah!
Respect. Peace out.
"Evan should also headline that show along with his writing, which sucks."
So says No-Shame's resident prop comic.
And what am I, Patrick? Genitalia-less chopped liver?
Patrick - "Eric is a man of many media, he likes to dominate theatre, as well as television, as well as film, as well as Eli's mom."
Patrick, thank you for pointing out my dominance to everyone who was not already aware of it.
Oh and Patrick... WE got your new girlfriends HEAD!!! SUCK IT!
I think that Patrick is a human being with feelings too. This is obviously why he hasn't realized alisa is a woman or that the rest of us resemble women. He's so hung up on his weight problem of shapely yet colossal thighs and ass that he can no longer recognize womanly hips and boobies when he sees them. I think we should be sensitive to Patrick's feelings and limitations as a fellow human being. We here for you patrick and we love you. :) And though I am flatter about the thought of being the tolken female figure on the board so no one can say we are sexist. I think Danielle would forfill such a position better since she's been doing it longer. ALso I don't think people have realized there isn't a woman on the board because of Patrick's shapely curves.
Patrick, I've got a question: Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or are you just bipolar? You are being a douche bag. Quit it. It's that kind of bias and obvious dislike for certain performers/writers that makes the audience feel alienated and left out. Trust me I've never performed but have watched many times and that is that kind of behavior that has caused the audience to diminish over the years. Last year was particularly bad (with certain board/ hosts?) so don't relapse into it again. Please. This year has felt really welcoming to performers NEW and OLD. Don't screw it up. Personally I like most of Evan's skits and most of yours make me think "Why is he still writing about middle/ high school?" Don't be a hypocrite. There is also a difference between being cruel and giving constructive criticism. If you have something to critique the performers/writers on then chose a different path than the one you've been taking. People may respond better and maybe you can still keep your friends and people will still have some respect for you. I'll be honest in saying that your outburst has given me a whole new opinion of you and it's not for the better.
Getting hot in here. All right. I am new to No Shame, and to me, everything is new and shiny and pretty and full of birdsong. I loved the criminal Pourable Mustard. I think Danielle and Patrick work great together, and I want to learn how to give mindjobs. I liked the pacing on Evan's boss skit and I want to see him write more serious stuff. I fell madly, deeply, agonizingly in love with Timm Sitzmann based solely on his monologue (I'd never seen him before). I agree the new guys from #8 beat the gay joke to death, but they definitely have potential. I really enjoy watching Alisa's mouth move. Icelandic is a lovely language and we should all learn it. I'm bringing two thingies tomorrow, and I look forward to seeing you all, my shameless dears.
Just a warning to all performers: People wishing to perform multiple pieces (yes even if one is a point 5 and yes even if you co-wrote a piece) you only get one piece until the line is empty.
we're going to start enforcing the 15 pieces and .5 rules upon our own discretion because lately all the regulars and here and now some new people are on the verge of becoming regulars too and as much as we would love to keep people in the theatre for 3 hours, well, i lied we don't want to keep people in the theatre for 3 hours.
that being said you may notice that i used the phrase "upon our discretion" because we'll probably let one piece or two slip by over 15. but just be warned that you may not be able to perform multiple pieces so be ready to pick which you would rather perform
*******The opinions stated in the piece do not reflect those of the No Shame Executive board. No members of such authority have participated in the discussions leading to this decision.
SEE YOU FRIDAY YAYYYYYYY
Patrick--
I'll be honest in saying that seeing you with your pants down has given me a whole new opinion of you and it's not for the better.
Hey!
When will the BOBONS order be posted?
Erwin.
james -
we're meeting on sunday to finalize. so hopefully sunday night.
Hey KnowShame people! I just have a curious question re: this fussin' & fightin' thass going on on the board here: when you see each other in real life, do you/have you/will you argue/d and bicker/ed like this at all, or is it reserved soley for computer-time?
Do you nod solemnly at one another, silently full of contempt but unable or unwilling to speak of it in public? Or do you talk your mind loud and proud: "Hey", you say: "Assface, when you speak things that make my feelings hurt, it helps me not like you very much."
Is there going to be a duel? No, I don't think so. No hitting, probably; and that's nice. Computer-anger is better than hitting, I guess. But, even so, anybody: let me know if you want to argue about something in person. I'm into sometimes (I will, most likely, get bored and/or annoyed and stop responding to you after a little while, but it will be fun at 1st). Whaddaya say?
P.S. When I got up this morning, I abused my corporal self (no, not like that, doofus) and deprived it of oxygen (NO, not auto-erotic asphyx-a-fun, I don't even know how to DO that) until I vomited into the sink. Then I was 3 hours late for work. Is this is a bad, scary thing, or just a cute story? Maybe both!
Love,
JammaJoe
no shame could use an old fashioned brouhaha. that would really get my rocks off!!
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