In case you haven't already heard, the local celebrity comedy duo formerly known as Sabotage has changed their name to The Pajama Men as part of their brand new contract with The Second City. The Second City, of course, has arguably been the primary driving force in American comedy for decades, spawning such talents as Mike Myers, Gilda Radner, Jim Belushi and Dan Akroyd, among dozens of other household names. Signing with the production company is one huge step for Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez, and we're awfully proud of you fellows.
Still, it's going to take many of us a while to get used to the new name. No biggie, though. At their recent show at the Q-Staff Performance Space, I didn't let this distraction keep me from laughing my butt off.
Their current show, Stop Not Going, was produced in part with a grant from Q-Staff's new Funding the Artists Not the Art Grant. Trust me, this was money well spent. If you liked previous Sabotage shows, you might very well choke to death laughing at this new one.
Stop Not Going stars many of your favorite Sabotage characters of old: Jennifer and her dad, the crusty old cowboys, the two femmy British brothers both named Nigel. It's also got the lightning fast, morphing, surrealistic comedy style that has made Chavez and Allen budding international comedy superheroes.
If I tried to explain their ridiculous jokes in print, they'd fall flat. As I've said before, these shows have to be seen to be understood, so treat yourself right for a change and go see this performance.
Stop Not Going runs through early May at the Q-Staff Performance Space (4819 Central NE). Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. $15 general, $12 students. For reservations, call 255-2182.
Congratulations on your success, Pajama Men, but you'll always be saboteurs to me.
