Whoopsie-Doopsie delivers the laughs

We wall-flowered in comfortable seats and listened to the afterglow of the premier of Whoopsie-Doopsie. Laughter. Loud, long, uninhibited laughter reverberating in the cozy dimness of Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre. Had you told me I would like it there I’d of scoffed tosh, I’m a light being. Apparently one willing to explore the dark side. I liked it there.

“This one is a little different” writer and director Art Shulman told us. No kidding. Where’s the stuff? The stage? The props?

“This play uses a ton of props.”

It did. Each brought to life dynamically by a cast that showcased their talent for portraying multiple characters and multiple personalities within those characters.

Billy (Nima Rad) is enjoying the youth of dreams. A high school junior, he is handsome, popular, upwardly mobile, ready to live the life. His beautiful girlfriend Joannie (Camille Aragon) is probably even a tad smarter and more motivated. But then they find themselves in a little bit of trouble.

Nima Rad delivers an uninterrupted narration supported expressively throughout by Camille Aragon and a host of thirty six other characters…interpreted with candor and precision by five actors; Jesseal Amelia with eight spirited roles, Ellen Bienenfeld cleverly disguised with three, Casey Hunter holding down a diverse eight, Mary Alice Farina with nine roles that she smashes through with verve and spirit, and the brilliant Warren Hall with eight roles ranging from student to elder, each brought to life with a natural conviction that suggests he may really be all of those things.

Moving fluidly in and out of Billy’s mind and back and forth across the real encounters he is having with this wild array of characters, at some point it’s hard to decipher what is happening in his head versus in his life. But no matter. This is a comedy, and there’s nothing to struggle with.

And it’s perfect for a Monday.

Come prepared to laugh out loud, and bring a light jacket. The ventilation at Zombie Joe’s is excellent…nothing stuffy about that very creative space. The show runs approximately one hour with no intermission.

"WHOOPSIE-DOOPSIE!" plays on MONDAYS @ 7:30pm and SUNDAYS @ 2pm Matinee, through APRIL 22 *(There is NO Performance on Easter SUNDAY, APRIL 1);

ZJU Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601

TIX are $15; For Reservations CALL: (818) 202 - 4120

Advance Tix at: ZombieJoes.Tix.com

Our Official Website: ZombieJoes.com