Nina Metz

There is a beautifully scatological moment in this musical sketch comedy that gives new meaning to the phrase, "French dining," and it is one of the best jokes I've ever encountered to riff on the Parisian dog-poo-on-the-street phenomenon. And it's not just the unbelievably disgusting concept that's funny--literally eating shit--but Joe Liss's performance of it, as he swishes down each bite of turd with a gulp of wine like the, er, gourmand that he is. But "Le Comedie du Bicyclette" is more than just potty humor. Created by four Chicago improv expats working in Hollywood for the past ten years, the show is a warped, bizarre little fantasia where nothing makes sense, but then it all makes perfect sense in a non sequitur kind of way. Steve (Dave Lewman), a hapless American on a bike tour through France, finds his world turned upside down when his bicyclette breaks down and he winds up stuck in a rural hamlet where absurdity rules the day. Mark Nutter (who accompanies on keyboard) and John Rubano (as an especially well-endowed Texan) round out the cast. With just a two-week run, this is your last chance to check it out, but be sure to arrive early--last weekend, the line for the show stretched halfway down the block.

"Le Comedie du Bicyclette" plays at the Del Close Theater at ImprovOlympic, 3541 North Clark, (773)880-0199, through July 19.

(2003-07-16)

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