What's worse than lacking creativity is the sheer laziness of the writers. The framing story—looking back at the boomer generation from the year 2525—is inconsistent. At first there is virtually no record of the era, and then there's plenty of material. But most annoying are the songs. It's not simply the obvious choices, such as turning the lyrics "Sugar pie, honey bunch" to "Sugar Pops, Cap'n Crunch," but using songs from the '80s (for example, the theme song for "Fame") to joke that 1970s disco attire is "Lame."
The writers continually seem to set rules and then break them, such as "comically" avoiding swear words, only to casually drop an F-bomb late in the second act. Typical jokes include a couple in 1964 saying these "Beatles" will amount to nothing, and several scenes where grownups pretend to be children by screaming a lot. Not once is an attempt made to incorporate the boomer atmosphere into a scene instead of merely reciting commercial jingles. The only earned laughs come from retro video, such as the famed "Duck and Cover" PSA, which is funny because of its naive earnestness.
The biggest shame is that all six performers—Daniel Amerman, Paul Lange, Dylan Vox, Susan Huckle, Kimberly Wood, and Alison Friedman—can capably sing in a variety of genres and can handle standard dance numbers. Watching them overact in a low-level improv sketch style for two hours, however, is exhausting. "BoomerMania" may draw packed houses if marketed correctly. Boomers can have tons more fun going out for dinner and sharing actual memories.
Presented by and at the El Portal Forum Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Feb. 11–May 15. Thu.–Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. (866) 811-4111. www.elportaltheatre.com.