The Show
Podunk Productions at Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 297-7611. Thurs- Sat at 8; $8. Through Oct 21.

I WAS CHARMED from the get go. Right away I noticed that something in the air was very different: The pretense that characterizes even the smallest of theater productions was very notably missing. The entire cast and crew-- cute boys and girls with clever haircuts--were hanging about the foyer, serving coffee, taking tickets, shooting the shit. I was warmly welcomed, my arrival (expected and anticipated) was announced, and I was promptly offered a beer. Then I was handed the most adorable press packet in the history of theater reviewing: a manila envelope containing production information, a welcome letter, a box of Junior Mints, a box of Mike and Ikes, a mango/passion fruit tea bag, and gum. And although I like to believe my goodwill can't be bought with Junior Mints and herbal tea, this was a damn good first impression.

Actually, everything about this production was fresh, quirky, and relaxing. It began with informal on-stage introductions, and encouraged audience members to get up for a drink or use the loo whenever they had the urge to--and please feel free to leave pagers on and take personal phone calls during the show. And they really weren't kidding. The cast was in earnest to make this production as intimate, fun, and unpretentious as possible, confessing excitedly that "this was the biggest ratio of people-we-don't-know to people-we-know that we have ever seen at The Show." And the approach was very effective. I sat with a stupid grin on my face, laughing out loud and enjoying every minute of The Show--a weird and ever-changing tossed salad of vignettes, poetry, terrible jokes, interpretive dance (or was it yoga?), and even one really awful piece that made me want to shove nails in my eyes and chew my way out through a wall. But it was all in good fun--like a night spent drinking with some funny, smart people who you really, really like, and can forgive the occasional faux pas or ridiculous comment.