THIS IS FUNNY is an odd little show that explores what it means to be funny in a modern world. Which means that it mostly explores what happens when “comedy” goes too far.
Should you see it?
Before the show, we were given a mature content warning. And for good reason, too. Monica Bradford-Lea, Dayna Loeper, Kathleen Simms-Elliott & Emma Monet use THIS IS FUNNY to explore humor, and how modern society usually takes thing way too fucking far for it to be funny anymore. This show covers it all; dick jokes, sex jokes, sitcoms, puns and more.
Some parts of this show are actually funny. Most parts are not funny. A lot of the time you find yourself laughing uncomfortably or out of shock – which is exactly what I think these four ladies were going for. Particularly effective is the section where one actress describes all the horrible things bullies did to her in school, while the three others stand behind her and provide a laugh track. It’s uncomfortable and weird, but then again, that’s what it’s supposed to be.
I do wish that the show had been longer, since it only clocked in at about half of its 45-minute time slot. I feel like there’s more that could be done with this theme. This is absolutely a show that will leave you thinking about what’s funny, and what’s definitely not.
But that’s just my opinion and I’d love to know what you think. Were you scandalized by this show’s jokes? Let me know in the comments below!
THIS IS FUNNY runs June 29th @ 1:30pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, check out our preview article.