IC December 1, 2006
Dead week, open the comments.
Labels: Iowa City
posted by AdamEggHahn at 9:01 AM
A blog for the National No Shame Theatre community. To find a post relevant to your location, simply peruse the "Posts Menu" on the right, and click. Then click on comments to participate in the discussion
27 Comments:
1. "Pine" by Janani (Christmas tree loves new family)
2. "A Ukelele Song That Is a Pretty Good Song" by Brian Lenth
3. "Why Does My Dog Still Have a Scrotum?" by Marie Arcand (monologue: sexual revolution, castration)
4. "An Old Adage Proved" by Jon Shelton (barrel of monkeys disappoints)
5. "Once Upon a Time" by Katie Lawson (fast food employment, fairy tale prose)
6. "Press/Slash/Float" by Greg Machlin (elephant girl, guy on coke, guy on X)
7. "Yoko Latte Kudasai" by Danielle Santangelo Is Still Here (performance art with clothing cutting)
8. "Give Me a Ride" by Evan Schenck (Eli needs fish sticks, gun)
9. "Around The World in 80 Days" by The Michael Tabors (noise)
10. "Urinals and Breakfast Cereal" by Nick Beatty (stand-up: rest-rooms, terror alert level)
11. "Ave Maria" by Mirri (monologue: dessert, Aztec sacrifice, prostitution)
12. "An Honest Assessment of My No Shame Career" by Eric Landuyt (monologue by a daring failure)
13. "Listen Up Assholes" by Timm (monologue against sandwiches)
14. "I Wish I Had a Cool Pen Name" by Luke "Plain Name" Christensen (Luke's body, its parts lobby against dating)
15. "No Shame Issues, Featuring 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes" by 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes
16. "The Ashcrafts: An American Dream" by Whacko Benyo and Papa Ashcraft (Jackson 5 VH1 movie parody)
1. "Pine" - I should have called this the "Tree Hugger." I sort of meant for the ending to be ironic/poignant, but Patrick's laugh at the end made me laugh my ass off so I guess it was a funny ending. Maybe I overdid it with the pining.
2. "A Ukelele Song" - I loved this. Someone should animate a cartoon to this, with a little person making the same exact faces that Brian did.
3. "Why Does My Dog Still Have a Scrotum" - I liked grizzly ol' Marie. The very last line was a bit of a letdown, though. I think I'd gotten so caught up in the scrotum discussion that the technology bit had left my mind, so when she brought it back up, it didn't have that zing.
4. "An Old Adage Proved" - Absolutely brilliant. So simple. When I see stuff like this I wonder why I write such convoluted pieces. Shelton, you have inspired me to simplify, simplify!
5. "Once Upon a Time" - This was juuust on the verge of getting on my nerves but then she brought in the fairy godmother and it was great. The whole fairytale setting began to seem like a twisted coping mechanism rather than a mere conceit.
6. "Press/Slash/Float" - Wish I'd been able to see whatever Adam was doing. It hurts laughing when you are in full Halasana pose.
7. "Yoko Latte Kudasai" - I stabbed myself trying to cut that skirt off her. Martyr for art. A M-ART-yr. OH!
8. "Give Me a Ride" - I agree with what someone said long back, that Evan's pieces are about everyday brushes with the absurd. This was a good satire of silly franchises, but I think E's pieces in general need more movement, less sitting/standing around. I understand they were in a car and HAD to sit, but it made it all feel rather static.
9. "Around the World" - my favorite noise thus far. They stole my idea for a percussion piece I was going to do next semester.
10. "Urinals" - I was grinning hugely as the lights went down. FROOT LOOPS!
11. "Ave Maria" - I assumed this was a short story. I thought it was stunning.
12. "An Honest Assessment" - I also thought this was Eric's best so far. The stick made him seem like an old-timey storyteller.
13. "Listen Up Assholes" - WOW I didn't know Timm could get so angry. I was pretty scared of him.
14. "I wish I Had a Cool Pen Name" - Again I think Shelton made this piece.
15. "No Shame Issues" - Also the best two guys with pipes, although my favorite part is still Arlen's introductions.
16. "Ashcrafts" - I missed the Jackson reference so, Snert/Ashcraft chemistry aside, the piece went on a little long for me. But then Patrick called for the switch and it went to this whole other level.
1. "Pine"
This was very clever. Anthropomorphic trees are terrifying and hilarious ("hilarrifying"), as 'The Wizard Of Oz' teaches us.
2. "A Ukelele Song That Is a Pretty Good Song"
When people applauded, it made my feelings feel good.
3. "Why Does My Dog Still Have a Scrotum?"
In retrospect, I didn't understand a thing this woman was talking about. My friends and I were trying to piece this one together later, and could only remember a lot of stuff that made no sense. I can't wait for her next piece!
4. "An Old Adage Proved"
Good old-fashioned charming Shelton. Even though I only got the joke later, I liked it a lot.
5. "Once Upon a Time"
This lost my attention after about 30 seconds. But so did the hit Robin Williams picture, "Patch Adams." Keep writing, and best of luck to you, girl who I presume to be Arlen Lawson's illegitimate daughter.
6. "Press/Slash/Float"
Pretty good, Greg! I kept forgetting your name and just calling you "Guy." I liked your performance in it, "Greg." There were some underdeveloped ideas in this. I wanted to see an interplay between the three characters, instead of the three of them just each taking a turn saying a line.
7. "Yoko Latte Kudasai"
My review of the piece was going to be, "Hey youze, Yoko Ono totally performed this same No Shame piece in the 1960s," but your choice of title evidences that you know this. I am left without a comment.
8. "Give Me a Ride"
I liked it. Evan's pieces sometimes go on about... one minute longer than they need to.
9. "Around The World in 80 Days" I liked J-Man's noises, as I always do. Two of the Tabors were playing in rhythm, which I thought was an interesting stride, in contrast to the abstract polyphony of the previous noise songs.
If people hate these songs, I think it's because they are judging them on the same criteria as the old MTs and their "real songs". There's so much inertia in the audience of good art, that when the art quickly changes direction, the audience loses traction and starts fishtailing like a Cambus hydroplaning down Newton Road.
10. "Urinals and Breakfast Cereal"
I was in a pub in London this summer while the World Cup was going on, and in one of the urinals there was a little tiny soccer goal with a little tiny soccerball. You pee on the ball and make goals. Interesting story? Yes, you think so.
11. "Ave Maria"
Gee it's good to see-ya.
12. "An Honest Assessment of My No Shame Career"
If I could think of my spectacular failures as spectacular successes, I would be a much happier person.
13. "Listen Up Assholes"
Hmm, I think Timm has done better pieces, and it's a shame that this was his last-ever. (Right? I mean, is he leaving, or just leaving the board?) It was well-performed, and the sandwich-stomping was memorable.
14. "I Wish I Had a Cool Pen Name" by Luke "Plain Name" Christensen
Hey, youze! There was totally a Seinfeld episode that was kind of like this, where his brain played chess with his penis.
15. "No Shame Issues, Featuring 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes"
Back in the Paul Rust days, people used to be really on their guard for the "audience mind-fuck" pieces. Not so much now. The end was great.
16. "The Ashcrafts: An American Dream"
Because I don't really watch televison, I didn't know this was a parody, so I interpreted it as another piece in the genre of "I'll write a piece about writing a No Shame piece."
1. "Pine" by Janani (Christmas tree loves new family)
the casting was perfect
2. "A Ukelele Song That Is a Pretty Good Song" by Brian Lenth
I agree. I have never heard a better one in all my years of having ears.
3. "Why Does My Dog Still Have a Scrotum?" by Marie Arcand (monologue: sexual revolution, castration)
Maybe I'm just dumb, but I didn't really get the ending. It was pretty funny though.
4. "An Old Adage Proved" by Jon Shelton (barrel of monkeys disappoints)
Skits like this are kind of my favorites. I love simple ideas like this that totally are amazing,I've still yet to see something to top Jason Negergul (s/p) eating consentrated Tang and antagonizing us all.
5. "Once Upon a Time" by Katie Lawson (fast food employment, fairy tale prose)
This was an interesting approuch to a very common situation. Cute. It would have been interesting to see a little more of the situation though than just the simple blow by blow.
6. "Press/Slash/Float" by Greg Machlin (elephant girl, guy on coke, guy on X)
The first two monolgues rocked. The last one had a couple moments but just didn't hold up to them.
7. "Yoko Latte Kudasai" by Danielle Santangelo Is Still Here (performance art with clothing cutting)
Some people may be annoyed by Danielle's constant acknowlegement of her sexuality but I find it refreshing.
8. "Give Me a Ride" by Evan Schenck (Eli needs fish sticks, gun)
Awesome ideas. The delivery was kind of slow though. SOme rehersal would have made it really flow well and then it would be up there with some of the best skits.
9. "Around The World in 80 Days" by The Michael Tabors (noise)
I'm not usually one for noise bt this noise had rythem and drive and I liked it a lot.
10. "Urinals and Breakfast Cereal" by Nick Beatty (stand-up: rest-rooms, terror alert level)
I think Nick is really showing a lot of promise these days. Also... FRUITLOOPS! mad props
11. "Ave Maria" by Mirri (monologue: dessert, Aztec sacrifice, prostitution)
I go back and forth between wanting to do serious pieces and knowing that the majority of no shame doesn't give a shit about them. usually I end up with the resolve that as long as a couple people are interested its worth it.
12. "An Honest Assessment of My No Shame Career" by Eric Landuyt (monologue by a daring failure)
I like this thing Eric does where he's being genuine. At the same time this skit seemed pretty average to me. But maybe thats just because I was very impressed by his monolgue about trying to be clever. He seems to be going through one of those life changing points in his life.
13. "Listen Up Assholes" by Timm (monologue against sandwiches)
Timm can get mad. I suppose I shouldn't be so surprised. And it would be at something like sandwitches too wouldn't it.
14. "I Wish I Had a Cool Pen Name" by Luke "Plain Name" Christensen (Luke's body, its parts lobby against dating)
I was pleasently surprised by this. Pretty original idea and played off well. ending was just kind of "well time for this to be over" but I get stuck with those endings all the time so I understand it.
15. "No Shame Issues, Featuring 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes" by 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes
I always laugh. It's always fun. they've yet to top the first time.
16. "The Ashcrafts: An American Dream" by Whacko Benyo and Papa Ashcraft (Jackson 5 VH1 movie parody)
My love for partick as an actor is everlong. I hope that switch didn't actually hurt. He seemed to be trying to keep it from causing harm but when my sister and I used to try and kill each other with whip-like sticks even the tiniest nick was horrific.
1. "Pine" by Janani (Christmas tree loves new family)
Good. Matt performance really made this piece though; even before he started assaulting the family he looked totally insane with that bug-eyed stare.
2. "A Ukelele Song That Is a Pretty Good Song" by Brian Lenth
I would tend to agree that this was a pretty good song.
3. "Why Does My Dog Still Have a Scrotum?" by Marie Arcand
This piece kind of rambled and the punchline about the e-mails was a little weak, but the rambling was very good. I enjoyed this piece.
4. "An Old Adage Proved" by Jon Shelton
I think he was just using them wrong, after the show at Village Inn the monkeys proved to be very fun.
5. "Once Upon a Time" by Katie Lawson
Pretty good. I think the casting of the everyday story in fairy-tale language was a good move, otherwise it might have grated.
6. "Press/Slash/Float" by Greg Machlin
Funny. Good performances all around.
7. "Yoko Latte Kudasai" by Danielle Santangelo Is Still Here
Okay.
8. "Give Me a Ride" by Evan Schenck
Janani, Brian, let's not mince words (and Patrick, thanks for the passive aggressive sarcasm, it's really helpful--oh wait, I just did it, too). This piece sucked. It was a case of something being much funnier when I was thinking of it than it ended up on stage. Hopefully I'll do better next time.
9. "Around The World in 80 Days" by The Michael Tabors
Yeah.
10. "Urinals and Breakfast Cereal" by Nick Beatty
This was okay. I thought that the terror-alert level joke was a little tired five years later, but otherwise it was good. My girlfriend couldn't believe that there were actually trough-style urinals.
11. "Ave Maria" by Mirri
Go, Mirri.
12. "An Honest Assessment of My No Shame Career" by Eric Landuyt
Excellent, one of my favorite pieces by Eric.
13. "Listen Up Assholes" by Timm
I don't know why he hates sandwiches so much, but I have to wonder what it felt like for Danielle to have that sandwich smushing up between her toes like edible mud.
14. "I Wish I Had a Cool Pen Name" by Luke "Plain Name" Christensen
Luke's best piece so far. It's a pretty original concept and a creative use of actors.
15. "No Shame Issues, Featuring 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes" by 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes
I enjoyed saying that the seizure wasn't part of the show and having some people apparently believe me.
16. "The Ashcrafts: An American Dream" by Whacko Benyo and Papa Ashcraft
This wasn't as good as the actual Jackson 5 TV movie, but it makes me wonder whether Matt is going to rocket to the top of the No-Shame pack and become the greatest No-Shame Performer ever, only to suffer an equally rapid decline into a creepy pedophile made of plastic.
1. "Pine" by Janani (Christmas tree loves new family)
I loved the part where patrick to stoicly reading the piece while the tree is being fought off with ornaments.
2. "A Ukelele Song That Is a Pretty Good Song" by Brian Lenth
It was pretty good. The parting french made me giggle. i didn't think i could still understand french..
3. "Why Does My Dog Still Have a Scrotum?" by Marie Arcand (monologue: sexual revolution, castration)
the rambeling made the piece. ending could have been stronger.
4. "An Old Adage Proved" by Jon Shelton (barrel of monkeys disappoints)
The look on sheltons face was awsome. I knew what he was going to say before he said it, but it didnt matter the line was still great.
5. "Once Upon a Time" by Katie Lawson (fast food employment, fairy tale prose)
for a second i was worried that this would get suddely deep and drag, but it managed to save itself. Keep trying.
6. "Press/Slash/Float" by Greg Machlin (elephant girl, guy on coke, guy on X)
I could have sworn jannani was in "salutation to the sun"... but I like all three monlogues. Adam screaming and Greg's blissful ingnorance.
7. "Yoko Latte Kudasai" by Danielle Santangelo Is Still Here (performance art with clothing cutting)
I was wondering if that symbol on her back said something, and if it was what she was scared of...
8. "Give Me a Ride" by Evan Schenck (Eli needs fish sticks, gun)
Lots of good lines. my favorite was the one.. i think it was "New england house of fish shooters"
Quite funny
9. "Around The World in 80 Days" by The Michael Tabors (noise)
I was diggin the rythm in this piece.
10. "Urinals and Breakfast Cereal" by Nick Beatty (stand-up: rest-rooms, terror alert level)
I had one last joke that I cut for time. But now it appears I should have kept it cause i had at least a min a half left for a 30 sec joke. meh, them's the breaks.
11. "Ave Maria" by Mirri (monologue: dessert, Aztec sacrifice, prostitution)
I liked. The delivery is always engaging and I find myself hooked.
12. "An Honest Assessment of My No Shame Career" by Eric Landuyt (monologue by a daring failure)
The best I've heard from Eric all semester.
13. "Listen Up Assholes" by Timm (monologue against sandwiches)
Timm was angry. I kind of wanted to know what brought on such strong hatred for the sandwhich.
14. "I Wish I Had a Cool Pen Name" by Luke "Plain Name" Christensen (Luke's body, its parts lobby against dating)
The casting was great. and the last line ended the piece well. Timm makes a convincing penis.
15. "No Shame Issues, Featuring 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes" by 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes
again.. nothing really new here. and the end confused me.
16. "The Ashcrafts: An American Dream" by Whacko Benyo and Papa Ashcraft (Jackson 5 VH1 movie parody)
I have seen the VH1 movie. And this piece had me laughing all the way home.
Looking forward to Best Of next week. lots of pieces I can't wait to see again.
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Danielle and I talked about this piece and she knows how I feel about it.
We did? I do? Well, I assume I do already.
I stabbed myself trying to cut that skirt off her.
You are one of the most dedicated people I have ever met. I would've sucked the blood right off your hand if I knew I couldn't get the AIDS.
My review of the piece was going to be, "Hey youze, Yoko Ono totally performed this same No Shame piece in the 1960s," but your choice of title evidences that you know this.
Oh yeah. Fully aware. Just wanted to do it myself, plaus some variation.
Some people may be annoyed by Danielle's constant acknowlegement of her sexuality but I find it refreshing.
Are they? I don't mean to be naked ALL the time.
I was wondering if that symbol on her back said something, and if it was what she was scared of...
That symbol on my back says "imagination" and it does not mean I am scared of imagination. I think imagination is the most important thing a human can possess, otherwise it wouldn't be tattooed on my back. I was scared of the people watching me.
It seems my piece caused some problems, or there were problems in my piece or both. Either way, I get to be in Matt Benyo's piece next week and that excites me.
This was a very strong & entertaining week. Favorites:
1) "Pine"--I'm not entirely sure how Janani does it. I was completely surprised by this piece. The performances were priceless. This should go in Best of No Shame next semester. This piece had Megan Gogerty's elusive "third thing."
11) "Ave Maria"--serious No Shame pieces are hard to do, and when they're done as well as this one was, they're a knockout. Well done, Mirri. Keep doing serious stuff.
4) An old Adage Proved.
Shelton's timing on this was perfect.
15) No Shame issues--I loved the ending. Perfectly executed. Am somewhat relieved to learn it was indeed all part of the piece.
16) The Ashcrafts--I hadn't seen the VH1 movie but still got the reference. Sheer genius, guys.
Thoughts on pieces I liked:
2) "Ukelele": Very enjoyable, Brian.
7) "Yoko": I think there's something inherently dramatic in having your clothes cut off onstage, particularly when the two cutting the clothes are trying to get them off before the song finishes (I liked it when Janani was forced to rip the skirt.)
I like experimental work when it's done well.
9) Around the World in 80 days: "There's so much inertia in the audience of good art, that when the art quickly changes direction, the audience loses traction." Point well taken. It may just be that I haven't experienced very much of the joy that is the old Michael Tabors, and therefore need to buy their CD. (Hey, guys, since you read this blog constantly--how much for a CD? Can you bring one to "best of" for me to purchase?) The Tabors' musicianship was much more readily apparent in this song than in the last one, which made it easier for me to appreciate.
12) Honest assessment: A worthy message. If only it hadn't been delivered by the guy who nearly broke a part of theatre B last week.
13) Listen up Assholes--Timm, you're not old enough to swear.
Seriously, a fun piece.
14) "I wish I had a cool pen name": Smart and well-executed. Could have been 30-45 seconds tighter, but definitely your best piece so far, Luke. Good work.
Pieces I wrote:
6) Janani's and Adam's performances were spectacular. I wrote this piece during this week's guest seminar for the grad playwrights. We were working a lot with the body, and each of the three monologues is inspired by one of the 8 Laban motions--Janani's was press, Adam's was slash, and mine was float. I think it turned our surprisingly well, though I agree with the commenter that the third monologue was not as strong as the first two--the piece may not have had Megan Gogerty's "Third Thing."
Mixed feelings:
5) I'm thinking of Eli's piece. You know, the one that's in best of no shame?
8) "Give Me a Ride"--smart idea with some funny lines, but I agree with the commenter who suggested more action. And, to modify Chekhov's dictum, if you write a gun and fishsticks into your piece, you should have a gun and fishsticks.
10) Stand-up is very hard to do, and Nick can already do it decently, but I want to see more scripted stuff from him. (Come to the dark side, Nick…)
Pieces I didn't like:
3) I'm sorry, I just don't like it when people I don't know who show signs of being mentally ill threaten me with castration. I'm just not into this. Anyway, I am *not* looking forward to seeing what this woman brings back, whoever the Hell she was. Go away.
A review by Eli. I apologize in advance if any of this in not constructive in any way. And away we go.
1. "Pine" by Janani (Christmas tree loves new family)
Janani, you are amazing. You win my MVP award for the semester. This piece was great because not only did it show us how this christmas tree really felt, it showed us what he was willing ot do about it. So many semi serious comedic pieces cut out and turn out to be just a character bitching. But then when Matt as the Tree attacked Mirri(?) it became brilliant.
2. "A Ukelele Song That Is a Pretty Good Song" by Brian Lenth
-Brian just puts a smile on everyones face.
3. "Why Does My Dog Still Have a Scrotum?" by Marie Arcand (monologue: sexual revolution, castration)
-Seems like she was fogetting pieces of her piece but I still enjoyed it. Though the final punch line didn't quite zing the way it should have.
4. "An Old Adage Proved" by Jon Shelton (barrel of monkeys disappoints)
-Shelton I am glad you went with this one because damn man you delivered it. The way you stared at those not so fun monkeys was just great.
5. "Once Upon a Time" by Katie Lawson (fast food employment, fairy tale prose)
-Interesting. I don't think it fell under the category that obviously insulted two weeks prior, Greg. It was a quirky story but I thought it would've been more fun if the sweet princess turned out to be really raunchy and kinky. Julio style.
6. "Press/Slash/Float" by Greg Machlin (elephant girl, guy on coke, guy on X)
-Janani and Adam were great. I thought Greg was good too. I just would've liked to see more of it at the end. Instead of each one talking one at a time. Mix it up then have a brief comedic dialouge between the characters.
7. "Yoko Latte Kudasai" by Danielle Santangelo Is Still Here (performance art with clothing cutting)
- Ghaw! Those dull scissors just wouldn't cut! Though the timing did turn out to be prefect. The second she turned around the music faded.
8. "Give Me a Ride" by Evan Schenck (Eli needs fish sticks, gun)
-Could use re-writing and a good ending punchline. The concept was funny I just think Evan needs to include more stage directions. I was personally confused on what I should do. Should I stand? Should I beg? Should I sit? I don't know.
9. "Around The World in 80 Days" by The Michael Tabors (noise)
-Noise and me. We just don't mix brothers.
10. "Urinals and Breakfast Cereal" by Nick Beatty (stand-up: rest-rooms, terror alert level)
-Cheap humor I would say. Very Seinfeld. Which I personally don't like too much. I mean its stand up so it's merely observations but I wish it went somewhere we weren't expecting. Like when he mentioned urinals I knew where he was headed. I think the best comics set you up and make you expect something then throw you for a loop to something COMPLETELY unexpected then bring it back to the original item.
11. "Ave Maria" by Mirri (monologue: dessert, Aztec sacrifice, prostitution)
-I personally don't remember this much. Sorry Mirri. I'm sure it was good.
12. "An Honest Assessment of My No Shame Career" by Eric Landuyt (monologue by a daring failure)
-This was perhaps the best way Eric could've gone after his idiotic stage antics. This is an example of throwing something we don't expect at us. He set it up like he was appologizing and then reversed it by saying he was the best no shamer who ever lived. I mean that is kind of briliant. No one say it coming.
13. "Listen Up Assholes" by Timm (monologue against sandwiches)
-I personally liked how Danielle smashed them barefoot and how Shelton suggested Sub Way and Tim flipped his shit.
14. "I Wish I Had a Cool Pen Name" by Luke "Plain Name" Christensen (Luke's body, its parts lobby against dating)
-This piece was interesting because I found myself trying to relate to the body parts. Like as a whole am I the body, the penis, the eyes, or Jake? I would have to say most of the time I am the body. When I'm under some influences (Like Adam Hahn's excessive meddling into my personal life) I am the penis. ANd I'm like never the eyes. This was a definite improvement over the attempted stand up Jake tried early this season.
15. "No Shame Issues, Featuring 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes" by 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes
-I was expecting them to go into some like serious issues. Like maybe they were pissed that I was a board member or pissed off that Eric wasn't banned for a week for damaging himself/the space. But no they went into the "I'm underappreciated / not taken seriously" path. Which works and made the ending convulsions funny. Especially how people thought they were real (cough cough Evan)
16. "The Ashcrafts: An American Dream" by Whacko Benyo and Papa Ashcraft (Jackson 5 VH1 movie parody)
-That switch looked like it hurt. A lot. I mean that was a good whippin' stick. I tested it and that had to hurt. Maybe this piece explains to us how Matt Benyo will eventually become Michael Jackson of today... Hmmm....
>1. "Pine" by Janani (Christmas tree loves new family)
This was pretty funny. Benyo looked good all decorated like that. I wished we could have heard the rest of the monologue while they were throwing ornaments at him, but the audience was laughing too much!
>2. "A Ukelele Song That Is a Pretty Good Song" by Brian Lenth
Lumo is really, really good. I enjoyed his rambling lyrics songs.
>3. "Why Does My Dog Still Have a Scrotum?" by Marie Arcand (monologue: sexual revolution, castration)
Is it just me, or do they actually remove the scrotum? Am I right? I mean...when you get your dogged "fixed" they take of the scrotum! Seriously.
I really actually genuinely enjoyed Marie's stage presence and delivery. It was cool! But the content of it was so confusing that I had a mixture of delight and something I can only describe as: "wanting the content to be less confusing and funnier so Marie's stage presence and delivery and the content formed a really good piece."
>4. "An Old Adage Proved" by Jon Shelton (barrel of monkeys disappoints)
The title of this is clever because the "old adage" hear is, "more fun than a barrel of monkeys," and accordion to the content of the piece...what couldn't be?
This was also a good "that guy is stupid!" piece, because everybody knows how fun that toy is. And most the people at the table at Village Inn later were really into the game and having fun.
>5. "Once Upon a Time" by Katie Lawson (fast food employment, fairy tale prose)
Is it just me or is this semester's No Shame content high in "I'm dealing with being in college now and I'm going to talk about issues from my past" pieces?
This piece was farley straight forward. It really just told us what happened. I didn't feel emotionally attached to the character and I didn't find the "prose" particularly "moving."
>6. "Press/Slash/Float" by Greg Machlin (elephant girl, guy on coke, guy on X)
This was pretty cool.
>7. "Yoko Latte Kudasai" by Danielle Santangelo Is Still Here (performance art with clothing cutting)
Way to be back.
>8. "Give Me a Ride" by Evan Schenck (Eli needs fish sticks, gun)
This I liked.
>9. "Around The World in 80 Days" by The Michael Tabors (noise)
Dudes, all my musical equipment is falling apart! My theremin is broken and my accordion transmitter is on the fritz. I'm a little disappointed that I couldn't get the amp to work it out, but I listened to a little of the song afterward and it sounds pretty good with just plain accordion with no effects.
That pot instrument that Jamal made is really, really cool, though. Right?
>10. "Urinals and Breakfast Cereal" by Nick Beatty (stand-up: rest-rooms, terror alert level)
I didn't pay attention to this, because every time I finish play accordion, I get caught off stage putting it away. So I just sat there on the side of the stage and fumed about how I couldn't get the amp working. I was pretty pissed.
Incidentally, somebody named Theresa left a card on my accordion case with her name and number and a message saying "Will you have ice cream with me?" I haven't called. I'm hesitant. I know nothing about this person. I’d put my money on me not calling.
>11. "Ave Maria" by Mirri (monologue: dessert, Aztec sacrifice, prostitution)
Can't remember this one.
>12. "An Honest Assessment of My No Shame Career" by Eric Landuyt (monologue by a daring failure)
I don't know. I think everybody that performs at No Shame takes the same risk. The risk is that people might not like your piece. Every single person is equally successful for taking that chance. Just because people DIDN'T like the piece doesn't mean you dared to fail and somebody who's piece people liked didn't.
People dare to fail and succeed all the time at No Shame and I would argue, as a whole, are more successful than those that dare to fail and don't succeed or people who try to fail.
>13. "Listen Up Assholes" by Timm (monologue against sandwiches)
This was good!
>14. "I Wish I Had a Cool Pen Name" by Luke "Plain Name" Christensen (Luke's body, its parts lobby against dating)
What the hell was this? How come the entire body was talking but also body parts were talking and the entire body didn't seem to have an idea what the parts were doing and the parts were their own entities. That was so confusing!
15. "No Shame Issues, Featuring 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes" by 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes
We had no idea that we were going to leave the stage like that. It was partially do to Evan's awesome exclamation of "It's NOT part of the show!" Thanks, Evan.
Jamal and I were sitting on that table outside the stage door during the next piece and we were talking about how lame it is when people do fake "oh, no!" endings like that. I told him that if I were in the audience and saw us do that I would scoff and turn to my friend and be like: "Lame. What are they trying to pull?"
But it was fun to do.
Also, we're serious about "The Classy Broad." It's going to be good!
16. "The Ashcrafts: An American Dream" by Whacko Benyo and Papa Ashcraft (Jackson 5 VH1 movie parody)
I didn't see this, because I was in the hall rubbing Jamal's belly and trying to calm him down.
1. "Pine" by Janani
Janani is GOOD. That's all that can really be said.
2. "A Ukelele Song That Is a Pretty Good Song" by Brian Lenth
This is the best song Brian has written. It was funny and touching and sweet and funny again.
3. "Why Does My Dog Still Have a Scrotum?" by Marie Arcand
Ha ha, I get to keep my balls!
On the other hand, she did teeter on rambling, and the ending did need to be better. But it was a decent idea.
Incidently, I have read about the prosthetic testicles they give neutered dogs. They're called Neuticles, and they're supposed to help dogs retain their natural look and self-esteem. I think the dogs would rather retain their testicles.
4. "An Old Adage Proved" by Jon Shelton
SHELTON!! YOU ARE SO FUNNY!!!
5. "Once Upon a Time" by Katie Lawson
I didn't really care for this one. This semester has had a number of "working out being in college issues" pieces, and talking about rape may seem like a surefire way to tug heartstrings, but when similar stories have been told multiple times, there needs to be something unique about it. The princess motif was a little too cliche in my opinion, and while the fairy godmother kept the piece from becoming too drudgerous at the end, this whole piece could have been stronger. Keep trying.
6. "Press/Slash/Float" by Greg Machlin
Funny for a bit, but then Greg's monologue wandered off into nowhere, which I know was indicative of his mental state, but the piece itself is not on drugs.
7. "Yoko Latte Kudasai" by Danielle Santangelo Is Still Here I thought this was really creative.
8. "Give Me a Ride" by Evan Schenck
Evan does have lots of sitting around making observations pieces. The fish and firearm concept was funny at first, but then the sketch didn't go anywhere.
9. "Around The World in 80 Days" by The Michael Tabors
I found this piece more tolerable than their other random noise pieces becuase Jamal and Jake tried to find an actual rhythm and Jamal's electric pot thing sounded cool. If they could find a way to get rhythm out of their noise, they could sound good.
10. "Urinals and Breakfast Cereal" by Nick Beatty
A little predictable, but still funny. Nick's delivery and presence have improved a lot.
11. "Ave Maria" by Mirri
This was a good serious piece with some nice imagery.
12. "An Honest Assessment of My No Shame Career" by Eric Landuyt
To those who doubt my greatness: All No Shamers dare to fail, but less daring performers would have changed their style to something more crowd-pleasing or just given up and quit coming. I have done neither, and that is what sets me apart. Glad I could clear this up.
13. "Listen Up Assholes" by Timm Sandwich stomping is fun, but why are you so mad about them, Timm?
14. "I Wish I Had a Cool Pen Name" by Luke "Plain Name" Christensen
Luke's best piece since his Croc's monologue at the beginning of the semester.
15. "No Shame Issues, Featuring 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes"
I would have liked more commentary on No Shame and less about "The Classy Broad".
16. "The Ashcrafts: An American Dream" by Whacko Benyo and Papa Ashcraft
Will Matt Benyo become a burned-out child molestor who obliviously thinks he's still the greatest guy in the world? Only time will tell.
Dead Week is never dead.
"I'm sorry, I just don't like it when people I don't know who show signs of being mentally ill threaten me with castration. I'm just not into this. Anyway, I am *not* looking forward to seeing what this woman brings back, whoever the Hell she was. Go away."
That's one of the funniest, meanest, (seemingly) honestest reviews I've read on this web board. I hope that crazy lady doesn't read it.
-J
"Jamal and I were sitting on that table outside the stage door during the next piece and we were talking about how lame it is when people do fake "oh, no!" endings like that."
Yeah, but I've thought more about it, and I realized the factual fact is: the idea of somebody getting so mad about people not liking his funny, funny skits enough that it makes him have a seizure and have to be escourted off-stage is hilarious. Whether any incidental "audience trickery" occurs or not. Under-appreciated "comedian"'s under-appreciative audience gives him a seizure. Hilarious.
(No really: I can say that without bias, sort of, cuz I didn't think of that gag myself, sort of. Nobody thought of it, really; maybe Jake or me did, but not really. no.)
I nominate this piece for "best idea ever". Amen. Pass the ass. (I just thought of that rhyme just now. What does it mean to you? Does it make you giggle? Or feel uncomfortable? Or is it just vulgar and/or juvenile? You can reach me at 338-7035 till 4 today if you need to talk about it. But keep it short, I have things to get done. For real.)
Mortimer- that description makes me really happy. If you're serious, then I'd be elated.
i guess i would make a bad M.D., because the whole seizure thing looked very staged to me. In a good way, as in HAHA what a funny turn for the piece to take. the bite plate was genius. i do agree there would have been a better transition to "The Ashcrafts" if Arlen (or someone connected with Two Guys) had at least removed the camera so we knew it was over for sure. i thought the Guys might come back onstage or something.
"i am 100% serious. i almost dont believe that it was planned."
Ok. That ending was awesome.
Mortimatt~
Your review is nothing short of excellent.
Keep it blunted,
~Danielle~
Reverend Doctor Mortimer Snert, DS, DDS, MD--
At the time I thought about what if Jamal actually did have a seizure, and I determined that if he had really been having an epileptic fit and I made light of it, I would have felt terrible.
"punctuation, run-on sentences, sentence fragments"
Thats cool. I'd just like to note that I read that piece at rocket-speed pace because when I practiced it it never made under five minutes. That accounts for pretty much everything except the fragments. I love fragments. Its a sylistic thing with me. Still, its the performace that counts so its fine. I just like to over-justify things.
awww now I'm a fool. thanks though. I feel better and less confused now.
I assumed their was some seriousness to the grades reguardless. way to be funny and totally not useful. Gee what is no shame about anyway? Ridiculous scrutny thats what.
Well hi there! It's been a long time since old Robbie Fumerton went to No Shame, but I'm back, and I'm here to say I loved it!! I'm watching the baseball playoffs (GO BLUE JAYS!), but while the game's on in the b/g, I'll give you the l/d on the NST!
ROB FUMERTON'S NO SHAME REVIEW!!!
1. "Pine" by Janani
This would have been a great chance for a holliday skit we could all stand behind. I'm from canada, but even there we have a chris-mus tree! I mean for gorsh sakes! This janani just puts a bunch of sticks and ornaments in her virginia?! AWFUL.
2. "A Ukelele Song That Is a Pretty Good Song" by Brian Lenth
A ukelelee song that is VERY good, Brian. Old brian knows how to pluck the cords on that strumblybucket! Mr. Lenth should take singing lessons though because the voice he has sounds like a weak man being raped!!! this was NOT made up for by the stench of his breath. GET A MINT, LENTH!
3. "Why Does My Dog Still Have a Scrotum?" by Marie Arcand
Well old Robbie says ALL dogs have scrotums, so i don't know the mystery. sometimes if i'm wearing my tiny running shorts, you can see my own dog scrotum. probly on friday night you could. What a waste of time.
4. "An Old Adage Proved" by Jon Shelton
I'd rather be showing my scrotum than watching Jon Shel-face. That's why I did.
5. "Once Upon a Time" by Katie Lawson
This kind of liberal b.s. is why I'm going back to canada. or washington DC!!! if only canadian citizens could run for oval office!
6. "Press/Slash/Float" by Greg Machlin
O.K. Robbie F. says: not funny, not cool, not O.K! There are some lines you DO NOT CROSS and these are some of it. politically incorrect!!
7. "Yoko Latte Kudasai" by Danielle Santangelo Is Still Here
This broad needs a good hard punch in the left breast!! lol, i just lik to see you feminist types riled uP!!!
8. "Give Me a Ride" by Evan Schenck
Yeah evan schenk, I'll give you a hellride. Get a ride to a life.
9. "Around The World in 80 Days" by The Michael Tabors
Jesus christ, if I wanted my earskin to bleed I'd stick my dick in KRUI and twist! somebunny shut these idiots off!!
10. "Urinals and Breakfast Cereal" by Nick Beatty
way to make a list of everything that's not funny, nick Beater. Oh, uynless that was not your goal. No stage presents, no vocal reverberation skills, NO TALENT. next time, pass the mikrophone to old Rob Fum's and he'll show YOU a urinal ceral!
11. "Ave Maria" by Mirri
O.K. this drama club reject A) doesn't know good writing from a hole between her legs and B) needs her fucken teeth fixed like PRONTO!!
12. "An Honest Assessment of My No Shame Career" by Eric Landuyt
never saw it. my little shorts were riding up on me and i had to go into the johnny-toi ("men's restroom" slang in candaa), and adjust my Fumer-bobs.
13. "Listen Up Assholes" by Timm
Tim and I are old friends, so it's wrong for me to reivew his sketch. it rocked the house! The way he bent those men over and yelled into their buttholes to MAKE THEM LISTEN was a glory to behold. Glory to be-holed!! I never thought i could be friends w/ a gay man but now Timm proved me wrong.
14. "I Wish I Had a Cool Pen Name" by Luke "Plain Name" Christensen
hey luke, I got a name for you: stop writing and performing and go back to waitijg tables. these are the big leagues, and you CAN"T HANG WITH THE BIG DAWGS!!
15. "No Shame Issues, Featuring 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes" by 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes
is this serious or a joke? what the frig? for one, these guys are obvious gays, and that's theyre business but when you're on STAGE, its MY business. I don't want to see a "tobacco pipe" (ie: anus) going into two dude's "mouths" (eg: red pussy for a woman or red penis-entrance for a man). it's not cute or sutle. if the point is just to make robby Fumerton uncomfortable MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
16. "The Ashcrafts: An American Dream" by Whacko Benyo and Papa Ashcraft
obviously: Not true. Is this a parody of a tv show or something? I dont have a Tivo, but i think this was something they show on Tivo maybe? good use of description in the writing, but next time THINK OF YOUR OWN CHARACTERS! you guys have a long way to go, but hang in there! if the Expos can do it, you can do it.
Well it was a great show and evveryone did a great job!! You should be proud of how much you entertained this little ol gues t from out of town!
I had so much fun maybe I"LL BE BACK SOON!
sincere, kisses, four more years,
ROBBY FUMERTON!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dude, I didn't even see the Rob Fumerton post till yesterday. Now I am seriously worked up. I laughed the hardest I'd laughed in... hours, at least (that might not sound so impressive, but yo, seriously, it was laughing really, really hard).
Doubleyou tee eff, though? Who the heck besides me knows Rob Fumerton (in relative detail) and is still in town to write a story about him going to No Shame? ...I guess it could be a long-distance forgery, but, it certainly SEEMED like Rob had really seen the show...
Did one of the demons get out of my head and start writing blog posts? I hope so, but shit.
1. "Pine" by Janani
Really great. Wonderful moments (Matt coming to life as a lumbering tree monster, the ornament pelting) knitted into a cohesive narrative.
2. "A Ukelele Song That Is a Pretty Good Song" by Brian Lenth
Loved the song, but Brian kind of sings into his ukelele. I'm surprised when otherwise vocal people's voices shrink as they start singing.
3. "Why Does My Dog Still Have a Scrotum?" by Marie Arcand
Too many loose ends (In what context did she first hear the word "slut"?), and I felt like the audience was either laughing at this woman or laughing out of an uncomfortable inability to figure out what to make of her.
As soon as she pointed out our lack of electronic connections, I had trouble resisting the impulse to check my voice mail.
5. "Once Upon a Time" by Katie Lawson
I'm confused. Are we supposed to think that the girl was raped or not?
Enjoable, and fairly tight writing. I hope we see more of it.
6. "Press/Slash/Float" by Greg Machlin
I'd had a sore throat, and my voice didn't operate correctly. I think that helped.
7. "Yoko Latte Kudasai" by Danielle Santangelo Is Still Here
Knowing Danielle and having been on stage with her in various stages of undress, it's hard for me to react to this kind of thing as an audience member. I wonder how someone who had never met her or been to No Shame would take this piece.
Also, those were my dull scissors.
8. "Give Me a Ride" by Evan Schenck
Fun (remember the confusion over the term "crab stick"?), but it went on too long. As soon as Katy said there were five fish & gun places, I wanted her to rattle off a progressively more funny list of names.
9. "Around The World in 80 Days" by The Michael Tabors
Boring. I agree that this was the best of the three (with the drumming, it sounded the most like a real song), but I'd had quite enough noise about ten seconds into the first one.
If people hate these songs, I think it's because they are judging them on the same criteria as the old MTs and their "real songs".
I hate these, and I disagree. If anything, I am less expectant of anything conventional or coherent than if three guys I didn't know started making noise.
10. "Urinals and Breakfast Cereal" by Nick Beatty
I had the same problem with this that I've had with a lot of Nick's pieces. I would have been much more interested in a monologue about urinals OR breakfast cereal. Even if it ends up short, he should focus on creating a beginning, middle, and end around one idea. He constructs his bits this way, but he should start look at his whole performance in the same light.
11. "Ave Maria" by Mirri
I liked it. I'm not sure I can say anything more helpful.
12. "An Honest Assessment of My No Shame Career" by Eric Landuyt
One of my favorite Eric pieces. It wouldn't have worked for me if I hadn't believed that Eric genuinely wanted his pieces to succeed and understood how stupid his jump/injury was.
15. "No Shame Issues, Featuring 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes" by 2 Guys with Tobacco Pipes
The tobacco pipe pieces have their moments, but I'd had plenty of this series after the first episode.
The whole, "Look at Jamal and Michael. The premise of the piece is so dumb, you have no choice." thing got old for me years ago. (Remember the "Bernice Wells Carlson" semester? Ugh.) I'm not sure if we're supposed to think that these guys are charming (which means their performances are wasted on awful material) or that they're funny/awkward looking (in which case I have no idea why we should look at them on stage for more than five minutes in our lifetimes).
Jamal and I were sitting on that table outside the stage door during the next piece and we were talking about how lame it is when people do fake "oh, no!" endings like that. I told him that if I were in the audience and saw us do that I would scoff and turn to my friend and be like: "Lame. What are they trying to pull?"
But it was fun to do.
Yeah, that's pretty much the definition of "self indulgent", and the ending was totally lame.
16. "The Ashcrafts: An American Dream" by Whacko Benyo and Papa Ashcraft
I enjoyed this without being familiar with the source material. I hope it was still fun for people who aren't regular audience members.
My only disappointment in this piece came from not seeing the other four members of the group, maybe some kind of attempt at a dance routine.
Way to take get whipped on stage, Matt.
I think Timm has done better pieces, and it's a shame that this was his last-ever. (Right? I mean, is he leaving, or just leaving the board?)
Someone may have said something confusing about Timm and Patrick leaving at the end of the year. They are still board members, but they both graduate in May.
Adam, I agree this kind of b.s. has to end. NST is supposed to be a new Athens of theatrical learning. WHY IS IT NO SO?! It sound like none of these performer are even TRYING! Not only were their pieces not up to acceptabiltiy standards, but ONE OF THEM is pretent to be little Mortimus on the NST blog! This friday, please question all perormers and try to catch this comunist in your midst. This is a mission from captain NO shame. Accept it young Cadet Hahn!!!
Sign, Tod risquou
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