Robyn Hood: Boyz in the Hood at Off Broadway Theatre | Entertainment Picks | Salt Lake City Weekly
Support the Free Press | Facts matter. Truth matters. Journalism matters
Salt Lake City Weekly has been Utah's source of independent news and in-depth journalism since 1984. Donate today to ensure the legacy continues.

July 01, 2010 Culture » Entertainment Picks

Robyn Hood: Boyz in the Hood at Off Broadway Theatre 

Through Saturday July 10

By
Pin It
Email
Print
Favorite
art11614widea.jpg
If it weren’t for my morbid fear of being singled out and humiliated, I’d likely attend more improv comedy. I’m a big fan of the genre’s chaotic daffiness, but in audience-participation situations, I tend to seize up and blurt out the first lame thing that pops into my head. So, a scripted production like Laughing Stock’s Robyn Hood: Boyz in the Hood offers the best of both worlds: The only audience participation required is booing the villain and cheering the hero.

“Scripted” may not be the right word. According to director Eric B. Armstrong, “almost all of it is improvised,” but the only cast members allowed to improvise onstage are the actual members of Laughing Stock. Others have to get permission before changing a line.

While it’s definitely a family-friendly show, the pop-culture references are very Gen-X. So, it’s kind of an odd duck, like children’s theater for adults. Dead-souled hipster poseurs won’t like it. The humor is obvious and squeaky-clean, like a Mel Brooks-y vaudeville revival without a hint of burlesque.

But, once I forgot to be hip, I laughed my ass off. When the show works—which is most of the time—it’s very funny. It’s innocent and earnest, but who needs to be edgy and cynical all the time?

No clue why Robyn’s name is spelled that way, but who cares? It’s a fun production, and if there’s a ray of sunshine left in your heart of darkness, you will be entertained.

Robyn Hood: Boyz in the Hood @ Off Broadway Theatre, 272 S. Main, 801-355-4628, Monday, Friday & Saturdays, through July 10, 7:30 p.m., $8-$16. LaughingStock.us

Pin It
Email
Print
Favorite

Tags: , ,

Speaking of The Essentials, wil,

  • Brandon Mull: Beyonders

    Thursday April 14 @ The King’s English Bookshop
    • by Kelli Stitzer
    • Apr 14, 2011

  • The Perfect Fit

    Through April 3 @ Kimball Art Center
    • by Kelli Stitzer
    • Mar 31, 2011

  • Utah St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

    On Saturday, March 12, the Hibernian Society of Utah's traditional Salt Lake City downtown St. Patrick's Day parade winds through the Gateway from 400 West and 200 North beginning at 10 a.m. ...
    • by Scott Renshaw
    • Mar 11, 2011
  • More »
  |  

More Entertainment Picks »

More by Brandon Burt

Latest in Entertainment Picks

Readers also liked…

  • THE ESSENTIAL A&E PICKS FOR MAR 14 - 20

    St. Patrick's Day, Bored Teachers Comedy Tour, Downy Doxey-Marshall: Bloom and Laura Sharp Wilson: Gilding the Lily: A Choreography , and more.
    • By City Weekly Staff
    • Mar 13, 2024
···

© 2024 Salt Lake City Weekly

Website powered by Foundation