By David Walters
“Life is a problem solved by dying,” is one of the fatalist absolvers for a mundane life put forth by comedians Jane Wickline and Liva Pierce in their funny, laugh out loud, twisted at times, absurdly hilarious, and mentally tricked-out show called Dukes now playing at Soho Playhouse.
The packed house has come to laugh and that’s exactly what they get from this duo that work together in a seamless dance of comedy and music.
I’m not much of a laugher. Meaning, it takes an awful lot to cajole an outloud guffaw. I mainly laugh on the inside, where it counts. Now don’t get me wrong, I like to laugh. In fact, I believe we should all laugh at least once a day for both our physical and mental health, at others and at ourselves. All this to say that you will laugh out loud at Dukes. There was an older, different generation than the performers, audience member in the seat in front of me that voiced to me before the show that she was afraid that she wouldn’t understand any of the humor. Boy was she wrong. Her head was thrown back, mouth full open guffawing, raising her arms and waving her hands throughout the show like the rest of the audience to show appreciation for this quick witted piano-driven musical comedy. She got it.
The stage is a golden picture frame highlighting the somewhat shabby apartment of two roommates who work in soul-draining office jobs with seeming no way out. They hate their jobs, but see losing them as their life falling off a cliff. So instead they fall into song, and absurd and witty bantor, of people slipping into pizza ovens (“Many things burn but the worst thing that burns is girl”), saving the world by slaughtering all the butterflies, rescuing a stolen crystal goose, and staying home from work with the excuse that she can’t find her shoes. Two friends navigating ambition, attraction, and the pursuit of their dreams, with a piano, sharp humor, catchy songs, and a mix of brilliance and relationship misadventure.
What the show highlights is the hollow promise that society has given this generation of people just now starting out and the emptiness that comes with it.
A fresh, off-Broadway saterical experience from a strong comedic team.
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Dukes was written and performed by Liva Pierce and Jane Wickline. Directed by Henry Hornbuckle and Mabel Lewis.
It runs for about 75 minutes and is recommended for audiences 13+ www.sohoplayhouse.com.
Through August 2nd.
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