My overall impression
Returning after the success of their first show, Wet Cookies, at last year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival, comedians Drew Hunter, Mallie McCown, Mike McNeal & Adam Sass are back, under the newly minted troupe name “The Crooked Rooks,” in the hilariously absurd comedy show: Rock, Paper Loneliness.
The structural ingenuity of the show breaks up a long sketch about plotting the perfect proposal with a series of smaller sketches. The result is watching the love child of a Friends-esque sitcom and a Saturday Night Live style sketch show.
Hunter, McCown, McNeal & Sass employ a variety of characters, fully committing to, and realizing each one. From Sass’s Russian butcher to McNeal’s overzealous game show host; from Hunter’s friendly kidnapper, to McCown’s insensitive performance artist, the comedians lose themselves in their characters with hysterical results.
Direction by Riaz Patel is top notch, keeping the pace brisk, the show flowing, and The Crooked Rooks employing, not only their comedy chops but also, their physical comedy skills.
Rock, Paper, Loneliness is an original, polished, and (most importantly) funny sketch show that left Thursday’s preview audience demanding a second curtain call with their applause.
