What I liked
Hilarious. Loved it. See below.
What I didn't like
Almost nothing. See below.
My overall impression
This LA noir crime thriller mixes up a wild comedy cocktail with a sexy Burlesque twist.
Firstly, I’m a sucker for old Hollywood so they had me at “noir”. I was rewarded immediately with the opening act which is a fun theatrical take on opening movie credits. It’s clear from the start that you’re going to get your money’s worth here. There is an overall feeling that one is watching an actual film and that you’re some how a part of it.
Once again, writer, Benjamin Schwartz seems to have co-written his new play specifically for this venue (see Zip Ties from 2015). Writer/Director, Matt Richey brings the whole thing to life and they both have clearly done their research on the genre.
The Three Clubs provides the perfect setting for a seedy 1940s cabaret club “The Cherry Patch”, where cops are dirty and drinks are stiff. Whether they planned it or not, having their preview during Happy Hour was a genius move. You can watch this show sipping your $5 Old Fashioned and leave humming the Bond like theme tunes.
My only gripe is that I did get enough of the female characters. To be fair, there is only so much you can do in under an hour and it’s balanced out with some superb dance numbers by Burlesque troupe, Cherry Poppins. Schoen Hodges does an excellent job of an incapable sauced up crime detective, whilst adding the perfect amount of audience acknowledgement. Whether it was scripted or improv, he nailed it.
Angel’s Flight doesn’t take itself too seriously (or at all). The tongue in cheek jokes are sometimes more mouth droppingly “what is going on here?” before you laugh out loud at the punch line. In any case, the whole thing is pure comedy gold.
DO NOT MISS THIS FUN FILLED HOUR OF SAUCY NOIR MADNESS.
