Fantastic Super Great Nation Numero Uno
Written & performed by:
Sayjal Joshi.
Katie Klien.
Andrew Knox.
Alan Linic.
Julie Marchiano.
Jasbir Singh Vazquez.
Directed by Ryan Bernier.
At The Second City e.t.c., Chicago.
Spirited, kind and soft approach spells laughter.
The youthfully sincere and highly skilled cast of seven have mounted a high-energy comedy show in the classic comic tradition of The Second City. Playing homage to the major events of 2016 – the Cubs championship and the election of Trump, this hyper cast does both events their due. Our divides as a nation are comic fuel for this funny troupe to navigate through.
The opening night audience loved this cast as they garner our diverse identify into terrific bits, Immigration, ethic and racial identify difference are celebrated especially by Tien Tran (Vietnamese0 and Jasbir Singh Vazquez (Latino) expert scene. Among other immigration bits satirize the Immigration Dept. questioning folks at a food court in a mall. The light sweet social commentary contuses to garner laughter as long as we are willing to listen and speak to our differences.
The songs, the physical comedy and The Second City classic bits including sexy scenes and a smart scene about sex education that got the audience laughing. The sheer energy and the smart well-timed routines produced slick fearless extended scenes like the satire featuring four women interviewing an author in a spoof of The View.
Each member of the ensemble contributed hilarity with Julie Machiand and Jasbir Singh Vazquez particularly engaging players. This cast features many new Equity actors that fearlessly demonstrate their comic chops in a fresh style that ekes a soft yet sincere comic style that gets the audience to enjoy. A ‘love one another’ theme emerges from the comedy. This is a more relaxed revue from the new management team that plays most effectively. This show is fun!
Recommended.
Tom Williams.
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2017.
For More info checkout Fantastic Super Great Nation Numero Uno page at theatreinchicago.com.
At The Second City e.c.t. Theater, 1618 N. Wells, Chicago, IL, call 312-664-4032, www.secondcity.com, tickets $19, Thursdays at 8pm, Friday – Saturdays at 8 and 11 pm, Sundays at 7pm, running time is 2 hours with intermission, in an open run.