Falcon Theatre’s fifth and final production of its 2016-2017 season is “The Complete History of Comedy (abridged)”, written by Reed Martin & Austin Tichenor and directed by Jerry Kernion. It stars Zehra Fazal, Marc Ginsburg, and Mark Jacobson.
From the high-brow to the low, this fast-paced ride covers comedy through the ages, from Aristophanes to Shakespeare, Moliere to Vaudeville, Charlie Chaplin to The Daily Show. Find answers to the age-old questions, “Who’s on first?” and “Why did the chicken cross the road?” No joke is left untold as the talented trio deconstruct and put back together the entire history of comedy. The premise is how to save the world through the “Art of Comedy.”
Their philosophy is, “Get in. Get the laugh. Get out.”
The gifted actors, Zehra Fazal, Marc Ginsburg, and Mark Jacobson, perform numerous roles, changing attires and personas with lightening speed, on a very well structured stage with a center screen on which top ten “funniest” lists with the unexpected winners photos are occasionally projected. On either side of the stage are doors, topped by windows, through which the cast appear and disappear with dizzying rapidity.
Nothing is sacred or off limits— swinging from the profane to the political, some of the strongest scenes are absolutely hilarious! A terrific send-up of the Supreme Court, with puppets and tunes by The Supremes, and other musical scenes demonstrated the versatility of the trio.
Zehra Fazal’s ukulele song ‘I laughed ‘til I cried’ had me wishing for more musical performances.
The show is bawdy, at times outrageous, and loaded with puns and innuendo, with too many gems to detail in a short review. To name a few that drew a lot of laughs—America’s funniest president, Abraham Lincoln (Mark Jacobson), an exact representation of an actor from Seinfeld, a Charlie Chaplin act, and Rambozo clown (Marc Ginsburg) wearing a banana-loaded bandolier!
It’s an entertaining night out, with lots of laughs, great performances by the trio, and excellent directing and stage setup by the entire crew. Recommended for adults and teenage audiences.
The Falcon Theatre is a 130-seat professional theatre that operates year-round in Burbank, California. The theatre was founded in 1997 by the late director/writer/producer Garry Marshall and his daughter Kathleen Marshall LaGambina. It was Garry’s wish that the theatre continue and serve as a welcome home to established artists as well as emerging talent. This year’s subscription series is produced by Kathleen and Sherry Greczmiel.
The play: The Complete History of Comedy (abridged)
Written By Reed Martin & Austin Tichenor
Directed by Ovation Nominated Director Jerry Kernion
Scenic Designer Steven Gifford, Costume Designer A Jeffrey Schoenberg, Lighting Designer Jared A Sayeg, Sound Designer Mark McClain Wilson, Props Designer Warren Casey, Casting Director Sandi Logan, Stage Manager Dale Alan Cooke
Starring Zehra Fazal, Marc Ginsburg, and Mark Jacobson
Performances run Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 4pm, from March 22 – April 23, at the Falcon Theatre located at 4252 Riverside, Burbank, CA 91505.
Tickets, priced from $30-$45, are on sale online at Falcon Theatre or by calling the Box Office at 818-955-8101, Tue.-Fri. 12-6pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am-4pm, and 1 hour prior to show time on performance days.
For more information, please visit Falcon Theatre
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