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Gonzo Packs in the Comedy
AYI Productions' latest one-hour comedy show Gonzo has a little something for everyone.
by
Joyce Storey
November 23, 2003 |
AYI Productions' latest entertainment event, Gonzo, directed by Jagger Kaye, opened recently at The Producers Club Theatre. A self-proclaimed hoodlum-turned-showman whose number one goal is to entertain, Kaye's latest production was no exception. The evening was packed with seven short comedic pieces, many of which were written by Kaye. Also highlighted were his adaptations of the works of several seasoned comedic writers: Neil Simon (Barefoot in the Park), Guinevere Turner and Bret Easton Ellis (American Psycho), and Billy Wilder (Some Like It Hot).
True to his formula of showmanship, Kaye started the evening with a personal introduction, warming up the audience for the show to come. The evening of vignettes began with The Game, a piece set in a bar that featured three separate groups of people. Though they never exchanged dialogue, or had direct interaction, their observations about one another provided a humorous comment on how people miscue when making assumptions about others. Each subsequent piece had its own flavor, intercutting Kaye's unique sense of humor with the cast's comic timing.
One of the signatures of Kaye's continued success is his ability to capitalize on New York's talent-rich pool of actors. His affinity for seeking out a talented cast served him well in Gonzo. The show featured a very strong ensemble of nine actors playing thirty-seven comedic characters in sixty minutes. The cast, including: Kristen Caldwell, Clayton Fletcher, Andrew Hurley, Justin Janosko, Dustin Quick, Michelle Samarel, Erin Wilk, Jennifer Laine Williams and Kaye himself, flexed their creative muscles from The Game at the beginning to Taxi Confessions, a satirical look at HBO's taxi cab series.
A high point of the evening was the performance of Jennifer Laine Williams, whose portrayals of a straight-laced bank robbery hostage in All Tied Up and an HBO production assistant displayed vast range and an innate sense of comedic ability.
Those who have followed Jagger Kaye's career have come to recognize his proprietary brand of upbeat, off-center entertainment. He keeps the evening short (usually an hour) and his presence colorful. He has built up a large following throughout his producing and performing career. Both the 7 PM show and the 9 PM show were well attended. Audiences agree that he is many things, but never boring. |
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Joyce Storey is an award-winning freelance journalist who has written for The Eastern Graphic, The Island Guardian, The Journal Pioneer, Front of House Magazine, Live Sound International, and PLSN Magazine. Her column Joyce Of The Theatre is read by over 20,000 readers. Ms. Storey is a candidate for the Who's Who of American Women 2003. |
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