Cutting Room Floor

Shadowbox Live
The Worly Building
Brewery District
Columbus, Ohio

by Rick Brown

Admittedly, I don’t know that much about movies. When I was younger I went to them all the time, but not so much these days. Consequently, I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing out on some of the “inside” jokes. Maybe it was no coincidence that Cutting Room Floor began with JT Walker III’s riveting rendition of “Don’t You Forget About Me” by … uh … Simple Minds. Yet by the closing of the show I felt invigorated by another fabulous performance by this talented troupe despite what may or may not have flown over my head.

The show begins with “Sneak a Peek: The Final Sneak a Peek”. Hosts John (David Whitehouse) and Shelly (Julie Klein) are bombastic hosts showing clips of sequels that should never have been made. Demented portrayals of Snow White (Edelyn Parker), Frankengump (Keith Gibson) and Christian Slater channeling Jack Nicholson (Jimmy Mak) provide a brilliant lampooning of some of Hollywood’s most sacred of cows. Mr. Mak pulls off a quintessential “Three Faces of Eve” melodrama, channeling the spirit of Joanne Woodward into a multi-personality Mak/Slater/Nicholson, evoking every famous line Nicholson’s characters have ever uttered.

Okay – I know a LITTLE bit about flicks … old ones.

Immediately following is “A Real Muppet Problem”. The absurd retooling of “Sesame Street” recast as a reality show hits the so-called “reality” nail on its head. Biting dialogue from Bert (Jimmy Mak) and Ernie (David Whitehouse) punctuated by the goofiness of Cookie Monster (Austin Shannon) and arbitrary interruptions of The Count (JT Walker III) is delightful anarchy.

“Vera and Laverne at the Drive In” is another installment of one of Shadowbox fans’ favorite sketches. This time the trailer park girls go to the drive in … with lawn chairs. And while there is little new ground broken here, Stacie Boord (Vera) and Julie Klein (Laverne) are so smooth with the material, the familiarity becomes the comfort food for laughter.

Closing Act I is “Enterprise Possession”. This skit masterfully melds both Shadowbox’s Star Trek impersonations with another reoccurring piece about nerdy 13-year-old kids. This time the kids manage to get beamed up to the Enterprise where they take over the helm from the character they idolize. The writing here is outstanding, juxtaposing science fiction with the fantasies of pubescent young teens.

Act II begins with probably the finest “Shannon’s Movie Reviews” I’ve seen. While 7-year-old Shannon Bannister (Amy Lay) is reviewing “The Matrix”, Agent Smith (JT Walker III) appears in the flesh next to her. Time and space restraints are shattered and Shannon is dumbfounded when Smith asks her how she can still be 7 when she has been doing reviews for years. Mr. Walker is subtly suave to Ms. Lay’s cute coyness, taking this sketch a depth beyond its usually sweet yet surface humor.

“The Critic” struck me … well … because it was opening night. And here I am and probably a couple other reviewers as well. Robbie Nance plays Freddie, who is taking girlfriend Patricia (Nickey Winkelman) to get acquainted with his mother (Julie Klein). Trouble is, Patricia is a critic who analyzes everything to death. This is a nice little poke at reviewers, and we all occasionally forget that sometimes a duck is just a duck. But the sketch is short and sweet in its message. Especially when Mom fawns all over Patricia after she is given a “good review”.

While almost all the sketches are strong, “Psycho Bitch From Hell” could use a little retooling. As good as “Soap Life” and “This Just In … “ are, they could probably be more effective if made more concise.

In “The Wedding, Part Two” Stev Guyer plays an obnoxious wedding photographer (Is there any other kind?). Along with the bride Michelle (Noelle Grandison) these control freaks attempt to push everyone involved around. Tom Cardinal is super as the Priest in a sketch that seems like it’s being made up as it goes along. For me, the seemingly dangerous chaos is a pleasant diversion and nice ending for the show.

Musically, Cutting Room Floor is heaven. Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson” is wonderfully sung in tandem by Stacie Boord and Jennifer Hahn. Yet the stunning acoustic guitar work of BillWho’s guitarists almost … but fortunately not quite … overshadows the vocals. Kara Wilkinson sings” That Thing You Do” (The Wonders) and it is terrific. Noelle Grandson belts out a super “Steve McQueen” (Sheryl Crow) alongside some great video visuals. The ensemble approach lead by Stev Guyer on the Eagle’s “James Dean” really rocks. Amy Lay’s take on “Betty Davis Eyes” (Kim Carnes) and Nikki Fagin’s reading of “Noticeable Ones” (Missing Persons) are both great 80’s tributes. (Lot’s of 80’s tunes in this show kids.)

Summing everything up is a spectacular presentation of Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die”. Shadowbox Live’s grand finales are always something to behold. With the supersonic sounds of BillWho? fronted by the lead vocals of Ms. Julie Klein, backed what seems to be Her Majesty’s Secret Service of talented singers and dancers, Cutting Room Floor crescendos to an awesome aural and visual high.

Have you noticed? There are PEOPLE! DOWNTOWN! In COLUMBUS! And it’s because of Shadowbox Live. Cutting Room Floor is just the most recent example of quality entertainment, talent and a commitment to our community by this fine theater troupe. These performances will only get better and better each show. Share in the experience.

And yes … it’s all downtown … even on a school night.

Cutting Room Floor runs through July 7th at Shadowbox Live in the Brewery District. For more information please go to: www.shadowboxlive.org