Never mind the week. What year is this?

1812's "This Is the Week That Is"

In
1 minute read
Childs: Tried and true.
Childs: Tried and true.
This Is the Week That Is, the annual holiday-time revue from the comedy troupe 1812 Productions, used to focus on politics. Lately it's evolved into a gentle evening of generalized spoofs of TV and pop culture— the sort of show that's engagingly warm, fuzzy and entertaining but lacks a sharp satirical edge.

The best segments from the past are back and still enjoyable: Jen Childs as "Patsy from Fifth and Shunk"; Dave Jadico conducting interviews in the theater lobby; and a Philadelphia variation of Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update," with Susan Riley Stevens and Don Montrey sending-up formulaic local TV news reporters.

Scott Greer was droll as the weatherman, Aimé Kelly, a vivacious new cast member, sang with soul.

Most engaging was a parody of Doctor Seuss books to the meter of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, with Michelle Bachmann reciting, "I'm strictly pro-life, no exceptions at all/ A person's a person no matter how small," and Rick Santorum reply, "Well, I'm Rick Santorum and you know what I say:/ A person's a person except if they're gay."

With a presidential election coming up, I would hope for more focus on political satire from 1812 in 2012.

What, When, Where

This Is the Week That Is. Conceived and directed by Jennifer Childs; head writer Don Montrey. Presented by 1812 Productions through December 31, 2011 at Plays and Players Theatre, 1724 Delancey Pl. (215) 592-9560 or www.1812productions.org.

Sign up for our newsletter

All of the week's new articles, all in one place. Sign up for the free weekly BSR newsletters, and don't miss a conversation.

Join the Conversation