In the mid 60’s, I watched a tv satire show called “That Was the Week That Was.” It was a riot, and it was so smart. Referred to as TW3, it was on for less than two season. 1812 Productions Artistic Director Jennifer Childs, who wasn’t even born yet obviously got wind of the show and she started creating and producing “This is the Week That Is.” It has been on their stage each year for 19 seasons. The only professional all-comedy theatre company in the country, 1812 is running “The Election Special” version of it this month. It is extraordinary for its superb writing and fine acting and is very funny.
Childs is one of six actors on stage who all play many characters from George Washington to John Legend to Hulk Hogan. Men play women. Women play men. And it works! In a series of about a half dozen sketches, in the first act, they play a game show, where the winner gets Pennsylvania’s votes. In another, two women compete at Thanksgiving (one is a conservative, the other a liberal) as they compare the Pilgrim experience to that of the Native American. In one sketch, they create a candidate by selecting someone from the audience, to make the election less weird. It’s silly and smart at the same time.
Of course, the heart of it is the political satire. In this anxiety filled election year, it is a joy to laugh instead of worry. Needless to say, the humor is mostly aimed at the conservative stances. They don’t have to name the parties- we know.
In addition, there are two screens where they show some hilarious prerecorded scenes. There are outrageous songs created by Pax Ressler, who is also a member of the cast. She is brilliant in every role she takes on. I am so impressed with the way the six actors and four others created this piece together and will keep it fresh throughout the run by adding any relevant news that they can lampoon.
The second act is a little more traditional in its approach as Sean Close sits behind the news desk like the hosts of the Daily Show or “Weekend Update” on Saturday Night Live. Accompanied by the videos and breakaways to certain small sketches, the comedy rolls on. I loved it so much, I didn’t even want the audience to laugh too much lest I miss a line.
Besides Childs, Ressler, and Close, Newton Buchanan, Lexi Thammavong, and Robyn Unger share the stage with hilarious bits that they all created and put together with the expert coordination of director Melanie Cotton.
What a great theater tradition! For sheer entertainment and fun, you’ve got to see it.
“This is the Week That Is” by the Ensemble, 1812 Productions, at Players and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey, Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-592-9560, info@1812 productions.org Thru November 3, 2024
Philadelphia Theater Reviews by Frank Burd 