Adventures of a Substitute Teacher

If you think it takes guts to survive in the LAPD, just wait till you hear about life in the LAUSD. In a bold attempt to leave the restaurant business behind, Steven Karwoski proves himself tougher than a Navy Seal, smarter than an ace detective, and dimmer than a classroom dunce when he signs on as a substitute teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Armed with a whistle, clipboard, pointer, and set of standard-issue boxing gloves, Karwoski spends his days battling batty administrators, kids with peculiar habits, and a slew of acronyms. His resulting solo show is full of endearing moments. Dressed in short sleeves, slacks, sneakers, and a tie, this goofy performer conveys daily life on the front lines of the school system with highly visual characterizations (such as his impersonation of a mostly silent and shifty-eyed student who opens her mouth only to scream, "Jackass!") and genial warmth. Substitute is somewhat amusing and very well written, but falters in the gap between stand-up comedy and dramatic storytelling.