The Troubadour Theater Company

If you haven't heard about The Troubadour Theater Company you are really missing out. We just went (finally!!) to The First Jo-El tonight. It was in Burbank (or Burbank adjacent as they said tonight during the play) and it was a trek. Bad traffic - the 405 crawling at nice slow pace which made the 10 go nice and slow as well -- started the night off on the wrong foot. I remember saying outloud as we entered into the maddening crawl, "Well, I think this is our last time going to one of The Troubie's shows. I just don't think I can take the traffic on a Saturday night to get there."

Well, I am eating my words. The show was SO funny, SO clever, SO worth the drive that Rich and I can't wait for the next run and for our RUSH to buy tickets (they sell out within minutes - argh!).

I "borrowed" a blurb off of their website to tell you more about them:

"Troubadour Theater Company is a free-wheeling, no holds barred, Commedia Del Arte flavored, slapstick driven Los Angeles based ensemble of actors, musicians, and comedians that has been performing for audiences throughout Southern California and beyond since 1995. Their fast-paced, laugh-filled, loose adaptations (some of the lines are still there) of classic plays, literature and film, as well as their original productions and hilarious sketch material, make this company a unique and exciting experience for theater-goers of any age."

They are so clever with their shows and songs. We have only been to three shows -- "Oedipus The King, Mama," "Frosty the Snow Manilow" and tonight's show, "The First Jo-el." Each time we go we can't help but commenting how amazing the shows are with the songs and sketches. It is truly laugh out loud funny for almost the entire show.

Here is their blurb describing tonights' show:

"They May Be Right or they may be crazy, but the Troubies are telling the story of the nativity with the help of Piano Man, Billy Joel. Let go of that New York State of Mind, and Say Goodbye to Hollywood, and hello to Bethlehem! She’s Got a pregnant Way About Her, but when they Tell Her About It that there’s no room at the inn, Joseph and Mary are Movin’ Out to the manger. Come out and enjoy yourself for The Longest Time."

I liken this to the show Mamma Mia. But instead of using the real lyrics the change them up a bit to fit the show, the audience and pop culture. 

If you live in the LA area or decide to fly in for one of their shows (which I highly recommend - it's worth the plane fare!) here are a couple of MAJOR hints:

1. Don't be late! If you come in late they stop the show and WELCOME the late-comers with a rendition of "You're so LATE... you probably think this song is about you! You're SO LATE!"

2. Don't - I repeat DO NOT let your cell phone make ANY NOISES whatsoever. Again, they stop the show, sing a song about you and shine the spotlight on you. It's quite embarrassing. Thankfully I've never experienced it and tonight was free and clear, but our last show had a cell go off. I was SO glad it wasn't me!

3. If you sneeze be prepared for them to sneak in a "Bless You" in the middle of their line.

They constantly make references to the audience and honestly, how they are so clever and quick is amazing.

I don't know when or what their next show will be but I'm sure to buy tickets again. Well worth the traffic on the 405!!

Go Troubies!!