Good Grief!

Earlier this week, I saw Double Down, the 2005 version of 1812 Productions’ annual holiday show, and it was everything that a holiday show should be: a little singing and dancing, some gimmicks, a touch of improv, and lots of laughs. It’s the most fun I’ve had at the theatre in a long time, and even though the seats were cramped and the theatre was cold and the show started late due to a technical difficulty, the house was cozy and packed and everyone left in a great mood.

Double Down stars Tony Braithwaite and the always-fantastic Scott Greer. Together they pay homage to famous comedic duos and try to “discover” the formula that makes these duos successful. Martin & Lewis, Abbott & Costello, the Smothers Brothers, Waldorf and Statler—it’s all in the show, and it’s all hilarious because Braithwaite and Greer are themselves such a wonderful pair. The Smothers Brothers sketch was my favorite, but the Who’s on First bit, as interpreted through the likes of Penn & Teller and Cheech & Chong was a close second. Even the Batman & Robin segment was funny.

Also see Philly.com’s review. The show is on until January 8th.

PS When did Sunwishes close? I damn well expect a pre-theatre Ethiopian wrap before shows at the Adrienne.