Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Comedy Review: Sharon McNight Goes On The Offensive

Sharon McNight
Songs To Offend Almost Everyone
The New Conservatory Theatre Center
San Francisco
Through December 30, 2007
4 Teaspoons of Bosco (Out of 5)

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

There were no preconceived notions going into The New Conservatory Theatre Center (25 Van Ness in San Francisco) on Wednesday night to see a show by Sharon McNight entitled "Songs To Offend Almost Everyone". The title itself should give a clue and even though I tried not to be offended I still don't like "I see London, I see France, I see......" So I was a bit offended.

So you got exactly as advertised....McNight used all of George Carlin's seven words (squared) and then some. The, Quick Witted, Cabaret singing, former dance instructor was raunchy, nasty, sexy, bawdy, naughty (sometimes simultaneously)....but right on the money and entertaining. Fronted by an excellent jazz trio of Daniel Fabricant (bass), Michael Grossman (Piano), and Randy O'Dell (percussion) the silver-tongued McNight moved effortsly through all the numbers.

My biggest thrill was to hear again the works of satirists Tom Lehrer, Ray Stevens, and Randy Newman interpreted fresh and new by McNight. Her rendition of Lehrer's Vatican Rag and Masochism Tango as well as Ray Stevens/Chet Atkins Would Jesus Wear A Rolex? was the best stuff of the evening and even better than the recorded originals. The sing alongs were good fun especially on an old Bessie Smith number. The list of songs was an interesting history of the most offensive songs in the period of recorded music and a lot of it you would probably know if you have ever listened to Dr. Demento's radio show. The San Francisco State educated McNight, by the way, does a dead-on Mae West imitation and has even played her in past shows.

McNight wants to take this to Off Broadway and she shouldn't have any problem doing it. This is a fun and entertaining show. Her website is http://www.sharonmcnight.com/ for more information.

This show runs until Dec. 30

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