Laughs on Tuesday

Destination: The Groundlings, West Hollywood

Cost: $20.00, $2.00 parking plus gas

I usually jump at the chance to head into "the city," so when a friend called up offering a ticket to a special performance at The Groundlings, naturally I said yes.

So off to Melrose Ave. on a Tuesday night – and a visit to the legendary place that launched the careers of folks like Pee Wee Herman, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy and Will Ferrell. Traffic was a little challenging during rush hour, but parking was easy. There are plenty of metered spots on Melrose and adjacent side streets, with no parking restrictions after 8:00 p.m.

The show “Charlotte’s Shorts” was a series of brief humorous monologues read by a team of eight former/current Groundlings, including Laraine Newman and (oh happy day!) Lynne Marie Stewart (who played Miss Yvonne on Pee Wee’s Playhouse). These shorts were written by Charlotte Dean and directed by Dean and her mother, Tracy Newman - sister of Laraine. The audience seemed to be mostly friends and colleagues, including actress Edie McClurg.

My companion knew Tracy through her musical work, so it was fun to meet her beforehand and be treated like an insider.  After a little Google research, I learned that Tracy is an Emmy-winning comedy writer (for the Ellen "coming out" episode) and one of the founders (along with her sister, Laraine) of The Groundlings. Charlotte inherited her Mom’s funny bone. There were some riotously clever passages, well presented by these actors with fine-tuned comedy skills. You can read some of the shorts on Charlotte’s blog.

After seeing the photos of so many famous comedians adorning the lobby walls of the Phil Hartman Stage, I’m anxious to return to see a regular performance. Laughter is the best medicine.  Note to self:  don’t head back to the 101 Freeway via Highland on a Hollywood Bowl performance night.