 | | | Photo provided | | | | | | The air buzzed with irreverent energy. The noise echoed around the small theater as people made their way to their seats. As the clock struck seven, the lights dimmed and the stage was filled with a soft, wide spot light. Taking a cue from the lights, the audience settled down and four teenagers made their way to center stage. The one to the far left took a small step forward and in a commanding, slightly British, voice proclaimed "Welcome to the Goats of Denmark." The crowd erupted in cheers.
The Goats of Denmark is a student run comedy club that hails from the halls of Miramonte High School. Although it is not affiliated with the Miramonte administration, it holds several shows annually. One in the spring, in the fall, and most recently, in the winter.
There were two shows on Dec. 21 and 22, drawing a mostly student-populated fan base to the Orinda Library.
The show consisted of 10 short sketches, each written by a different cast member, that brought the show to a total run time of about an hour.
Opening the show was "Thanksgiving Controversy" by Michelle Giovinazzo, taking a satirical look at the avoidance of politics while shining a light on the hypocrisy of this effort demonstrated the unique perspective offered by student comedy.
Taking a slight break from political metaphors the show progressed with Athena Davis's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: All Grown Up." The short story checked back in with the classic characters as they entered their senior year of high school, and continued the show's trend of plot twisting relationships.
Closing the show was the cast's final sketch, written by Jenni Coletta, "Pooh-dale." The parody take on the hit show "River Dale" places high stakes high school drama in the hands of the beloved stuffed animals form the Hundred Acre Wood.
Most every sketch involved the entirety of the cast, with the exception of the between scene improv pieces. As other cast members moved props and changed costumes, one to three cast members would take the stage to perform. These included everything from comedic reading of text messages to a prose love poem to the animated Hercules from Disney's "Hercules" as performed by Davis.
The ticket sale price was case based, with a little comedic twist. As every guest went to pay for tickets, each rolled a set of two dice. The numbers rolled was the price of the play for that person.
The group decided that the evening's proceeds of around $1,000 will be donated to a local charity yet to be determined. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA