Los Angeles Theater Preview: GROUNDLINGS SLEEPAWAY CAMP (The Groundlings Theatre)

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by Tony Frankel on April 10, 2017

in Theater-Los Angeles

IT’S TIME FOR S’MORE GROUNDLINGS

Who doesn’t love sitting around a campfire scaring the crap outta some brat? Who doesn’t love canoe trips down a rocky brook? Who doesn’t love that first crush on a nubile camp counselor? Who doesn’t love listening to Allan Sherman’s “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah”? Who doesn’t love watching a deranged lunatic having his way with a naked actor?

Well, get your mind off all of that, because something even better is coming, and you don’t have to load into a hot bus with a hundred screaming, smelly kids to get to The Groundlings’ newest show, Groundlings Sleepaway Camp, which opens April 28, 2017 for a run through July 8.

More fun than getting stung by a hiveful of bees, and slightly better than falling naked into a bed of stinging nettles and poison oak, the Groundlings’ sketches and improvisations will stay with you long after the show, almost like ten wads of gooey marshmallows jammed in your throat with no gag reflex.

Infinitely cheaper than sending your kids to the woods, but just as pleasant, will be the opening night party: ain’t no kids’ camp gonna serve beer, wine and house cocktails like this; the mess hall will also have tasty bites catered from local hot spot, The Darkroom, and coffee and desserts served by Toasted and Roasted.

For those who have never been to this 43-year-old institution, the two-act laugh-fest is in an intimate theater on Melrose where the energy is always a tonic for what ails ya; a rockin’ three-piece band sits below the stage, playing during quick-paced scene changes or for musical scenes. And the title has absolutely nothing to do with the show; certainly skits are topical but rarely will you find a through-line. There’s always riotous scenes and characterizations, and for only 20 bucks, you just can’t find a better deal in town. Finger paint, quivers and ptomaine poisoning not included.

Groundlings Sleepaway Camp
Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave
Fri at 8; Sat at 8 & 10
ends on July 8, 2017
for tickets ($20), call 323.934.4747
or visit The Groundlings

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