By Eva Trieger
LA JOLLA, California – Some of improv theater’s finest gathered to poke fun at San Diego locals and legends Wednesday night at the Mandell Weiss Forum Theater of La Jolla Playhouse. “The Good, the Bad and the I-5” should have been named “Roasting Bob Filner on a Spit” based on the number of barbs, jabs and body slams the mayor received. Through a series of skits that draw from San Diego locales and lifestyles, the comedians reflected back the image we present, intentionally or otherwise!
The opening gambit included Mayor Filner making a public apology, admitting that he is a “fan of the human touch.” He asked the audience if it was a crime to love too much and then broke into song, “I Can’t Quit You San Diego.” The actor openly admitted (as Filner) he likes “young girls, old girls and Marines…with a preference for white women in their 50s.” This thread of Filner’s time served at “sex camp” for rehabbing this addiction was revisited throughout the night.
A highlight of the evening included audience participation. A couple seated towards the stage was singled out and asked to recount the story of how they met. Mark and Elaine’s lives were then dramatized in a very silly and clever improvised rendition based on the few facts they’d provided the talented team. The couple seemed to enjoy the campy recap as did the audience.
Tourists were not immune to being picked on in this revue. A vignette in Balboa Park with a bored teen provided many laughs and relatable moments. Comic-Con devotees were in attendance on stage as they portrayed the flamboyant characters with quirks. From SeaWorld, we were treated to lounge singer Soy’s vocals accompanying Hemp, a piano player, in performing the Whale’s Song.
Over the PA system the audience was party to the Filner Sex Harassment Hotline. “Press 1 if you’ve been groped in an elevator, 2 if you were propositioned in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, 3 if it was the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on Broadway, 4 if….” The mayor’s good image, if he still had one, did not fare well at the hands of Marla Caceres, Frank Caeti, Mitchell Fain, Kevin Sciretta, Andel Sudik or Travis Turner. The actors, impressionists and entertainers made clear they viewed the “scandal” as ludicrous.
Two pieces which were very cleverly presented and seemed to ring true included an exchange between a Mexican mother and her son, a soon-to-be UCLA student. He was obviously embarrassed by his mother’s cultural indicators and resented her speaking in Spanish. She retorted, “It’s difficult to be cool in your second language.” The second bit that I found very cute was the office workers who fantasize they are surfing, instead of sitting in their cubicles. Three actors are anticipating a wave and calling out cautionary words, when a colleague enters the room and reminds them that she’ll need the conference room at 4 pm.
The very clever wrap up to the show employed audience members calling out random years. The cast then went through the same skit employing references that were chronologically accurate to each of those dates. They employed titles of music, TV shows, models of cars, and relevant cultural time stamps. This was all done off the cuff and was really spot on.
The multi-talented and quick thinking troupe did a fine job drawing on our fame and our foibles. The actors appeared to be having a great time toasting our town and most assuredly had a great time roasting our mayor.
“The Good, the Bad and the I-5” will be showing at La Jolla Playhouse until September 1, and if Mayor Bob Filner hasn’t resigned by then, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the show!
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Trieger is a freelance writer who specializes in the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com
Can my sister cover a story with whit and clever double-entendres, or what?