So Funny It's Criminal

Comments (0) By Keith Bowers Wednesday, Oct 27 2010

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Crime investigation and absurd humor go hand-in-rubber-glove, stretching from Inspector Jacques Clouseau of Pink Panther fame past Lt. Frank Drebin of Police Squad to any cast member of today's Reno 911! Considering the existing hysteria in this genre, comedic actors face a quandary -- how to spoof crime drama without doing what has already been done. Enter the comedy troupe Funny But Mean, whose Law and Order San Francisco Unit: The Musical (sort of)! mixes in (you guessed it) musical numbers while also adding audience participation (à la murder mystery dinner theater) for good measure. The group calls the production its "latest crime scene," incorporating characters "ripped from the television series" Law and Order (the original) as well as the Criminal Intent and Special Victims Unit franchises. Eleven cast members combine their skill, interrogation tactics, and song to solve what is claimed to be the weirdest crime wave in San Francisco history. (Can't wait to see what that is.) Funny But Mean says the audience decides the ultimate fate of the accused, so spend your Monday night doing your part for our criminal justice system. The troupe extends the run of its current production at the Exit Theatre.
Mondays, 8 p.m. Starts: Nov. 1. Continues through Nov. 15, 2010