Steve Allen Theater, at the Center For Inquiry West (Los Angeles, CA)
Comedy group Two-Headed Dog presents Clowntown City Limits. This show combines dark comedy and slapstick to tell the eerie story of three down-and-out clowns. Cast members include David "Gruber" Allen (Freaks and Geeks, The Naked Trucker) and Craig Anton (The Office, MADtv).
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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So yeah, I've been wanting to go here for quite some time and I was not disappointed. Good venue, a little warm though but I could have been a bit over dressed. I only weigh in at a buck ten so I'm always cold but I was so warm I had to take off my socks during a black out. Strange that I share this with you I know but I'm very open these days. The actors were very good but heck, they better be. If you saw each one's IMDB credits, you would be impressed. These are real working actors folks. Solid show, good performances and some really great moments from each actor. The live band they had definitely made a difference and considering the show was about clowns, I think the live band added a lot to the show. They only do this particular show once a month so you have to wait to see it but it was well worth it. Here goes, my one beef. The popcorn is two bucks for a bag that has been cut into thirds. Yes, a cut bag. Very strange and a little bit of a scam but I did only pay seven bucks to see the show so it was OK. A nice little place though with large seats and groovy people.
The rabid brainchild of Jim Turner and Mark Fite, the originators of their sketch comedy duo, then trio, now quartet, Two-Headed Dog, "Clowntown City Limits" has to be seen to be believed. In the friendly confines of the Steve Allen Theater, home to some of Hollywood's edgiest and wildest performances, "Clowntown" is loud and sloppy and profane...and hilarious. This is not your mother's well made play. It's a series of bits detailing the lives of Big Bugs, an out-of-work party clown, and his sidekick Corky, the brain-damaged rodeo clown as they struggle to survive in an uncaring, clown-centric world. They're aided by the comic contrasts of Craig Anton and Dave Gruber -- MTV's "Naked Trucker" and longtime 2HD cohort. Throw in some unexpected live musical accompaniment and you have a recipe for a laugh-out-loud Clown's Guide to Existential Hell, complete with hints of thievery and murder, all part of the fun. For folks who like their entertainments crude, sloppy and surreal, this once-a-month residency at the Steve Allen is a must-see. You'll be in the presence of some of LA's most talented funny guys, and you won't be disappointed. And all those reasons why you've always suspected that clowns should not be trusted will be confirmed.
Lots of fun! Actors were very committed to their unique brand of lunacy and pulled it off great. Just a wee bit too long, perhaps, and there were no programs. Would have enjoyed finding out about the actors/writers!
One of the four stars of Clowntown could not be there this time (10/4), but the rest of the cast came up with a great work-around: they held "auditions" onstage for the part of Corky (usually played by Mark Fite). That allowed them to include some scenes from the regular Clowntown show while also doing some different material. Their version of "Don't Fear the Reaper" was also a highlight of the show. This was a great diversion for Clowntown regulars, and I hope any first-timers at this particular show will check out Clowntown on November 1 (or in a future month) to see the show with the complete cast.
Fortunately, the narrow aisles of the Steve Allen Theatre wouldn't allow for it, or I would have been rolling on the floor for half the show. Clowntown is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Who woulda thought 3 out-of-work (& one working), loser clowns could be so damned hilarious. Brilliant writing and performance.
Thanks Mark Fite, Joe Turner, Dave Gruber Allen and Craig Anton. You made my day
Hilarious! Really enjoyed ourselves. Big crowd as fans
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<p>Clowntown City Limits brings together a trio of down and out clowns living in a home that’s not the worst place in the world but it’s “worst place adjacent.” Big Bugs, Corky, and Adolph manage to pay a back-handed tribute to the world of clowns while turning it upside down and inside out, revealing the darkness inherent in every black-velvet clown painting that ever hung over a frightened child’s bed.</p>
<p>Featuring:
Jim Turner
Mark Fite
David Gruber Allen
Craig Anton</p>
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