Poet, composer, cartoonist, and children's author Shel Silverstein also had a knack for theatre, as his often produced "adult evening" of comedy sketches demonstrates. In this production, solid ensemble acting and a fine directorial touch from Monica Himmelheber (with co-director Ida Darvish) provide lots of hilarity.
"No Skronking" reads the sign in the cafe in the first sketch, and patron Arnold (Dennis Gubbins) launches into an inquisition of waitress Bertha (Jocelyn Romero) about what exactly constitutes "skronking." We know right away we're in Silverstein-land—something like Seinfeld with a dark edge and an absurdist spin. In "All Cotton" customer Jill (Ida Darvish) revisits Monique's Boutique to return an all-cotton blouse that has shrunk several sizes. When the smiling salesperson (Merritt Hicks) refuses to refund her money on the sale item, Jill unleashes a fury that includes a witch's spell.
In "Wash and Dry," Marianne (Meredith Thomas) arrives at her local cleaners only to discover that her laundry has not been washed but instead was "watched" by the desultory proprietor (Ben Wilson). His "watching" includes checking her clothes for stains and other incriminating information. And in "Smile," a team of female thugs (Rosa Graziano, Romero, and Darvish) interrogates a hapless copywriter (Gubbins) who is author of some of the most infamous phrases in the American argot, including "Have a Nice Day," "Right On," and, God help us, "Far Out."
The best sketch of the evening features Kalimba Bennett and Andy Allen as a married couple engaged in an evening of not-so-harmless game playing. The game, devised by the wife as a sort of psychological encounter session, is set on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. In the course of the game, the husband is forced to choose whether to throw his mother, his young daughter, or his wife out of the lifeboat. Needless to say, he barely passes this test of love.
"The Best Daddy," is also a very funny sketch about Lisa (Brigid Ryan) and her daddy (Tyler Moore) on the day of her birthday. The day is nearly ruined when her daddy confesses that he had to shoot the pony he was planning to give her, only to announce that he was only kidding. Finally, the sketches about a bag lady in training, featuring Kris Allen and Stacey Moseley, and an office bathroom visit with Rob Thain and Jen Ray round out the evening.
Particular credit should go to the directors, who find the perfect tone for Silverstein's comedy, and to set and costume designer Delia Hauser, whose amusing perspective frames the evening.
"An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein, " presented by Yapima Digg Productions at the Elephant Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Thu.-Fri. 8 p.m. Mar. 4-26. $15. (818) 720-6663.