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The Big Bang
Music by Jed Feur
Book & Lyrics by Boyd Graham
Directed by Richard M. Parison, Jr.
At Chicago Theatre’s Downstairs Stage
175 N. State
Chicago, IL
Call 312-902-1500, tickets $37.50
Fridays at 7:30 PM
Saturdays at 6 & 9 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Note: Special performances
Wednesday, July 12 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, July 13 at 7:30 PM
Running time is 85 minutes with no intermission
Through August 20, 2006
The Big Bang lays a bomb
The new 250 seat Downstairs space at the Chicago Theatre opens with The Big Bang by Jed Feur and Boyd Graham. The show left me with mixed feelings. While I appreciated the energy and craftsmanship of Tony Braithwaite and Ben Dibble, I didn’t laugh much at this satirical comedy. I do love vaudeville schtick but I found the show tedious, repetitive and somewhat offensive. Besides, it’s not very funny.
I must say about half the opening night audience laughed and half didn’t, making The Big Bang one of those shows that you’ll either love or hate with no gray area in between. I found it too long, repetitive and corny. I can only take so many ditties with the two actors wearing headdresses singing in the same tempo and old-time vaudeville style. This is a one joke routine stretched into 85 minutes. Dibble and Braithwaite were outstanding and tried to make the material work.
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The premise is a backer’s audition held by the writers in a New York apartment. Dan Stetzel’s piano work accompanies Ben Dibble and Tony Braithwaite terrific work. The show their backing is an $83.5 million, twelve-hour musical staging of the history of the world. From Adam and Eve to the 21st Century, the two guys depict and satirize the history of the world. This show is so Borscht-Belt styled comedy filled with corny bits, offensive caricatures and redundant rhymes that by the third song, it becomes tiresome. What little humor I found was negated by the sameness of the piece. It is a ten minute sketch stretched into 85 minutes of tedium.
However, those who enjoyed the sarcasm and satirical pokes at just about every ethnic group, gender and race, laughed hardily and gave the show a standing ovation. So, I may be the minority on this one. Maybe. If old-time vaudeville styled satire and parody are you’re thing, The Big Bang may ring your bell. I found it to be a dud. At only a $37.50 ticket price (cheap for a downtown musical), the show may be worth the gamble. Chances are 50-50 you’ll like it. If you do, you’ll laugh yourself silly.
Somewhat Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicgocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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