Groundlings Charge In, Then Limp to a Close

The Groundlings’ new show, “Groundlings Jr. Nationals” at the Groundling Theatre takes its name from the first skit about excruciatingly serious adolescents at a big competition for pennant drill teams. Rachael Harris’ piece sets a silly mood. But although the program builds momentum with some clever sketches, it simpers to an ineffectual end.

Bad dates, co-worker incompatibility, disgusting drunks, a disco Don wannabe, questionable body-baring, wedding reception bad news and alien abduction survivors are the topics of the night. Daniele Gaither and Jordan Black’s funny “Soul Speak” parodies African American stereotypes on a publication’s two-person staff. The first half ends with Damon Jones strumming a guitar for a hilarious folk song rendition of “Hamlet.”

The second half opens with some gross-out humor in Ted Michaels’ “The Cabin.” Amy Von Freymann and Gaither’s “Silhouette” takes on music award shows with pointed commentary about the musicians and their lifestyles. But Jones’ “Down at the Club,” about a disco dork trying to pick up a babe, doesn’t make for a strong finish.

Director Karen Maruyama has set a good pace and the improvisation goes smoothly, cut off before the theme has worn thin.

This bill won’t make you think. It has a nice balance of the puerile, the silly and the hyper-reality absurdities. If the finale were only grander.

*

“Groundlings Jr. Nationals,” Groundling Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 and 10 p.m. Indefinite. $18.50. (323) 934-9700. Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes.