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The L.A. Weekly
October 7, 1999
Review of
HOORAY FOR THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS
by Luis Reyes
With boyish enthusiasm and a blasphemous view of human frailty, the Van Gogh-Goghs (Alan Benson, Galen Black, T. Mike Childs, Charles Rempel, Rob Terrell and Jason Torchinsky) set out to skewer the seven deadly sins. Not every sketch in this predominantly funny revue hits its mark, but the troupe knows how to land a satirical punch, thanks primarily to the writing. The sketches get increasingly better as the show goes on, culminating in a riotous
climax. In one sketch, a man's struggle with remembering the Lord's
Prayer prompts him to call an ecclesiastic tech support rep, who informs
him that his archaic Methodist 3.0 operating system should be upgraded.
In another skit, the ensemble engages in championship competition
vulgarity, teasing our furtive fascination with bathroom humor while
taking incisive stabs at American conservatism. Hindered by a general
self-consciousness, the performances feel a little reserved (save for
the explosively energetic Torchinsky and Rempel) which is a shame,
considering the sharp material and earthy charisma.
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