MasterHouse Theater: Review: Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog LIVE!

As talented as the Odd Lot Comedy Troupe is at improvisation, it's easy to forget that they are quite skilled in scripted performance as well. With Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog LIVE!, the Odd Lot ventures into the world of scripted theater. And what happens is exactly what you'd expect: a "horribly" good time.

(Note: For the purposes of this review, I have limited myself to exactly three uses of puns involving the word "horrible"... So that's one.)

Every geek or nerd worth their salt knows of Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. But even if you aren't "horribly" familiar (that's two) with the details of the Joss Whedon story, the live show presents a similar version of web story.

The tale follows the often musical trials and tribulations of the titular Dr. Horrible (played on stage by Justin P. Kent), a super-villain trying to elevate his status by gaining entrance into the Evil League of Evil. His attempts at notoriety through evil are perpetually foiled by his infatuation with a girl in his apartment (Lynita Spivey) and the perpetual interference of his arch-nemesis, Captain Hammer (Ryan McConnel).

The show also features Gabe Reynolds as Horrible's roommate/henchman Moist and a small, but effective supporting cast (Trish McKay, Tim Reynolds, Megan Jones, Timmy Vo, and Hai Dang) who take on various roles and parts as needed to fill in the gaps along the way.

Kent is truly remarkable as Dr. Horrible. His interpretation of the character manages to convey all of the conflicting emotions of the megalomaniac without ending up a cheap impersonation of Neil Patrick Harris in the role.

The rest of the cast performs admirably as well. Spivey's Penny plays as the sweet, innocent girl-next-door she is supposed to be, and McConnel's Captain Hammer is every bit the strong and sometimes too smug hero that you'll eventually love to hate.

Director Chris Soucy manages to master stage space, utilizing selective props, a small smattering of back panels, and even the cast themselves to convey a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. Fans of the original Sing Along Blog will be hard pressed to find many venues that aren't covered in some way, shape, or form onstage.

I was particularly impressed with the van scene, as it was something that could have been logistically difficult to pull off without... you know... a van. Or streets. But that and a good many other surprises await in the show. Expect a pleasant surprise or two along the way, including a few improvisational games from the Odd Lot Troupe to help flesh out what is a "horribly" short production (and three... I'm done with that).

All in all, the show makes for a fun, entertaining experience of improv, singing, dancing, and comedy that was completely worth seeing. While I will always enjoy the web production in all its glory, this was definitely an experience that I am glad I had the chance to check out. If you have the chance to see it, it would be "horrible" of you not to.

(... Yeah, I know I said only three. But in true evil fashion, I broke my own rule. You can't get more evil than that. I'll get League membership myself one day, I will. You hear me, Horse!)

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog LIVE! happened Friday, August 27th at 8PM and midnight. It will happen again Saturday, August 28th at 8PM at Muse Arts Warehouse. So you should try and catch it then (or build a time machine).

Adventures in Baking Part 3: Even More Music

(to the tune of Peanut Butter Jelly Time)

It's Peanut Butter-Chocolate Time! Peanut Butter-Chocolate Time!

o/~Where he at, where he at, where he at, where he at?
Now there he go, there he go, there he go, there he go!
Peanut Butter-Chocolate, Peanut Butter-Chocolate!
Peanut Butter-Chocolate, Peanut Butter-Chocolate!

If you all alone, then quit *itchin'
Just work it out in the kitchen.
If you mull on it, you'll get madder.
So just work it out with some batter.

Peanut Butter-Chocolate, Peanut Butter-Chocolate,
Peanut Butter-Chocolate, Peanut Butter-Chocolate...

Do the Peanut Butter-Chocolate, Peanut Butter-Chocolate,
Peanut Butter-Chocolate, with a mixing spoon!
Peanut Butter-Chocolate, Peanut Butter-Chocolate,
Peanut Butter-Chocolate, they'll be all baked soon!o/~

Abstract Thought of the Day (with Video Assist)

If you're going to make a flash mob, then you might as well make one that counts.



And when you're done, make sure you follow it up on the street outside. No one's going to call the cops on you. What would they say to them?



"This mob of people are doing the MC Hammer dance in the streets. No, I am not on any medication..."

Also, where do you bulk order those pants from? Not that I'm thinking of anything nefarious... No...

"Missed it By That Much..."

So the story of interest today isn't what you missed at the start of the week but what missed you.

As reported by CNN.com and other sites, an asteroid 40 yards wide just missed hitting the planet on Monday night. By just missed, I mean that it was roughly 40,000 miles away from us. Which seems like a long way away, but in astronomical terms is pretty freaking close.

And while many people seem to play it off, I feel the need to point out a handful of factoids that continue to make me nervous. First of all, this particular asteroid, while not large enough to take us out like the dinosaurs went, was still large enough to cause a serious boom had it hit land anywhere. Second, since it came as close to the Earth as it did, some astronomers believe that Earth's gravity may well affect it to the point that we will continue to have near misses with it. Good stuff. But on the bright side, we should have plenty of warning next time. After all, we had... wait, what? Three days? We had three days warning this thing nearly half the size of a football field was on its way past us? Sheesh. I feel comforted.

And lastly, while I can't prove this is related at all to it, cell phone calls have been randomly riddled with static the past few days. And paranoid me is always more afraid of a near missing celestial body accidentally irradiating us than it hitting us. But hey, it's not like we can really worry about it. And if worse comes to worse, well, you know how the drill goes...



(And yes, I've had this song stuck in my head since I read this story earlier this afternoon...)

What up, D-Trizzle?

I didn't want to do this one, but I can't help myself. It fits so well with Detroit, a city that has managed to have a perfect season the bad way (0-16 forever, baby!), and it is actually a song about Detroit. Allegedly. This video comes with a language advisory and a warning that despite how bad it is, the hook will linger with you. It's so cold. So very, very cold.



As much as I hate to suggest a click through on this one, it's worth checking out the main YouTube page. If nothing else, some of the video responses to this one range from classic to downright hilarious.

For the record, this song and video is what convinces me that the song I wrote would be gold. I could probably even keep the track on beat and everything.

Adventures in Baking Part 2: The Confession

Hey, girl. How are you doing? How do you like those cupcakes? The frosting's good, right? Yeah. Yeah. Listen. I've got something I've got to say. And I don't think it's going to make you happy. But... just hear me out. Cue the music. Something soft with a bass.

(music starts) Ahh, yeah.

I was at the store, you know...
Just picking up a few things,
And if I could afford a decent artist,
This would be the point where he sings (the point where he sings...)

I had the flour, I had the sugar,
All those things that you like.
I had a good trunk full of baking supplies,
Thank goodness I didn't take my bike (there just wouldn't be room...).

I know, I don't own a bike. But it rhymed so bear with me (he's trying to make it rhyme...)

Don't. Don't do that until I'm back in the free verse. I appreciate it, but don't worry about it. Yeah. Yeah. So, girl...

I was on my way to the checkout,
Thinking about how you'd smile.
And I don't know why I did it, baby,
But I looked back down that aisle (just one peek down the aisle...)

See, I was just thinking. I was just thinking, baby. I thought, what if I don't have the time I need... to make that good batter? You know you like that good batter, girl. Yeah. Yeah. But I was thinking, there might not be time. And as I looked down that aisle... oh, girl. I saw the Betty Crocker.

Don't cry baby. No, no, don't cry. Just listen to me. Listen to me, baby. I didn't plan to use it. I never planned to use it. But I could hear the voice in the back of my head, and it was saying:

Just one box, just one box,
Put it on the back shelf.
Keep it for emergencies,
Just keep it to yourself! (Ohhhhhhhh...)

But I didn't keep it to myself, baby. I shared it, baby. I woke up this morning, and I knew that I didn't have enough time. So I took a shortcut. I reached up for that box. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't help myself. A little water, a little oil, a few eggs. Two and a half minutes in a mixer, and... and... I made the cupcakes. Those cupcakes right there. That you're eating right now, baby. I made those shortcut cupcakes.

It's okay, baby. No, no, no, it's okay, baby. Don't get the hate in your eyes, girl. Because you know that it's still good, girl. It's not the batter you love, but it's still good, girl.

I know these ain't the cupcakes,
That you were dreaming of.
The mix may have been pre-made,
But... it was mixed with love! (Oooooooooooooh....)

That, uh... that didn't quite come out the way I meant for it to, baby. But just listen just listen just listen... The frosting... the frosting is all me, baby. Made it all myself, baby. Made it smooth and creamy. And then I stirred in some cocoa. I said I stirred in some cocoa, girl! You know you love the chocolate. And then I laid those cupcakes out. I laid them out and I had the frosting. I had to... I had to keep washing my hands. Because it was so good I kept licking my fingers. And I wanted to keep things clean, girl. (Clean, not like Paula Deen...)

What'd I tell you about improvising? I'm going to give you that one because it's true. Ol' finger lickin' Paula. Ughh.

Now, girl. I want you to know that I confess. And I'm sorry. But I got so much more for you, baby. I got so much planned if you forgive me, girl. I got some more cookies for you, girl. I got cupcakes and rolls for you girl. I just got these star shaped baking cups from my sister. You know you want little star cakes, girl. And the frosting. I got more frosting, baby. And the frosting... it's still good.

Give you joy, baby,
Give you tingles.
I got frosting and...
Lots of srpinkles - Ahhhhhhhhhhhh....!

Chaka-Khan, Chaka-Khan, Chaka-Chaka-Chaka-Khan. Woo...!

...

Okay, so it's not "In the Closet". But then again, I'm not R. Kelly.