Comedogenic
nytheatre.com review by Peter Schuyler
August 16, 2009
"I should really go see more live stand-up comedy." That's the feeling I was left with after Paul Thomas's gut-bustingly hilarious one man show, Comedogenic (meaning: tending to produce or aggravate acne). A stand-up performer from Chicago, Thomas has compiled a wild hour of scenes and vignettes, filled with great writing and punch lines that sneak up on you from out of left field.
The writing really is everything here: Thomas constructs scenes out of the banal everyday, but tweaks them just right to produce serious belly laughs. The show is a kind of voyage of discovery as you see these everyday situations through the funhouse lens of Thomas's imagination. To wit: I can honestly say I'd never considered the possibility of hardcore right wing conservative Christian gangster rap before I saw this show. But that is Thomas's gift; he'll have you reconsidering quite a lot of those"normal situations" before the hour is over. Each character is unique, yet instantly recognizable. Some of the material may not be for everyone, but even the more risque bits of the show had the entire crowd rolling.
The crowd was little light at the show I saw which is a real shame. There are many acts that deserve to be seen at this year's FringeNYC, and Thomas is no exception. It's a great ride and like me, you really should go see more live stand-up comedy. Start with Paul Thomas.
