Perfect Catch: A Throw-Mantic Comedy

New York City is one big juggling act, and performers Michael Karas and Jen Slaw take that metaphor quite literally. The pair, both professional jugglers, wrote and perform "Perfect Catch: A Throw-mantic Comedy," a light and fun 60-minute juggling act about an innocent office romance. With charming performances and a straightforward premise, the show is a delight for attendees of all ages. (The children in the audience at the performance I attended were quiet, which is a feat when it comes to children and live theater.)

Jen and Michael live lonely lives in Manhattan and work in adjacent cubicles, egging each other on with harmless pranks. Fueled by a shared fear of the office CEO—portrayed by the sound effect of loud footsteps—Jen and Michael embark on a harmless romance. The duo juggles together and separately to classic tunes like "9 to 5," "Relax Max," and "It Had to Be You." In accordance with the retro theme, the pair also shares a date to see a film starring the Three Stooges, which is projected on the wall of the theater. (The playhouse also hosts screenings of classic shorts on weekend afternoons.) Karas' performance with a puppet to the song "Mah-Nà Mah-Nà," popularized by the Muppets, is another highlight.

Karas and Slaw are both charismatic performers who instill confidence in their abilities. Slaw's extremely expressive eyes convey emotion and humor, while Karas, with his sly grin, comes across as the lovable class clown. The pair juggles everything from clubs to apples, and although there were a few flubs when I attended, each was handled with ease. It's not Cirque du Soleil or Ringling Bros., but Karas and Slaw excel with simple entertainment.

The real star of the day is the Canal Park Playhouse. With a charming brick-walled theater and a built-in breakfast café called the Waffle Iron, the venue provides the perfect antidote to a long week. The waffles are delicious and fresh, and the setting is warm and inviting.

Presented by and at Canal Park Playhouse, 508 Canal St., NYC. Nov. 5–27. Sat. and Sun., noon and 2 p.m. (212) 352-3101, (866) 811-4111, or www.canalparkplayhouse.com.