'That Girl' at Second City's DeMaat Theatre is a fun bunch of skits examining the constant judgement that goes on when our monkey minds make fun of others, in this case young women. It's directed by Jay Steigmann and stars Stephanie Renee, Shannon Huber, Amanda Costner, Colleen Claes, Patrick Poulin, and Eric Wood.
I was at a charity event the night after I saw 'That Girl' and there were scenes exactly like the ones in the show. There were two women in their forties next to me, talking in hushed tones about the twenty-something blonde in impossibly high heels and a skin tight dress that galloped by us. Most people gossip like this and the point of the show is that everyone's also on the other end of it.
In 'That Girl' the chick in high heels was played by Patrick Poulin with an ill fitting wig, falsetto drunkard voice, imaginary shoes, yet an actual limp. He and Eric Wood both donned polyester wigs at times throughout the show. Of course, their characterizations were exaggerated, but not by much!
In one sketch Stephanie Renee is on a bowling date with Poulin and a series of former lovers pass through the lanes, say hello or asked her out, ignoring Poulin's character. He asks about them one by one and Renee's character feels obligated to explain and almost defend herself. Amanda Costner was by far the funniest, playing Renee's white lesbian rapper ex girlfriend.
Another very funny bit was Renee and Colleen Claes as old women miniature golfing with Poulin and Wood playing behind them backstage screaming at them for playing too slowly. Claes and Renee let loose a simultaneous seemingly endless stream of expletives each time they were rushed on the course and were funnier each time. Renee ended one tirade saying, "Young men these days," and Claes followed with, "What a bunch of dicks!" Their old lady Chicago accents and bent over postures made it very amusing.
'That Girl' runs Fridays at 9pm in the Second City De Maat Theatre through April 19. Tickets are $13, $10 for students and $8 for Second City training center students. Check it out, it's a bargain.
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