Bellingham
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Dynamic duo returns with ‘The Cody
Rivers Show’
Seven sketches form breakneck comedy hour
by June Hathaway
Dancing Vikings, dueling superheroes in tighty
whities, and a disorganized devil are among the
treats in store at “The Cody Rivers Show:
Best of Volumes 4-6.”
The current show is made up of highlights from
the popular “Cody Rivers Show” series
that originally ran at the iDiOM Theater. The mysterious
Cody Rivers is nowhere in sight, but the clever
writing and virtuoso physical comedy that won the
original show so many fans remain.
Andrew Connor and Mike Mathieu dance, fight and
even mime their way through seven sketches, including
one in which the dialogue is almost entirely in
French. The story is told in the universal language
of slapstick. A whack on the head with a baguette
is worth a thousand words.
The mime piece might win some converts to the
form. The masked performers act out a devilish
story of mistaken identity against a backdrop of
pulsing music, even bringing the audience into
the act.
In another sketch, two very excitable boys unleash
a torrent of destruction trying to find the perfect
Mother’s Day gift. Their search is punctuated
with ridiculous curses — like “cheese
pizza!” and “son of a billboard!” — that
just might catch on.
Connor and Mathieu have worked together for years,
and it shows in the duo’s crisp timing and
comic grace. Mathieu’s dark eyebrows are
hilariously expressive. Connor has an open, innocent
face that telegraphs his characters’ hurts
and joys even as we laugh at them.
The costuming is inspired, from the creative use
of spandex to some genuinely creepy masks. Connor
and Mathieu put simple props to good use on the
Upfront’s small stage. Because of the club-style
seating, audience members at tables near the back
of the room see the performers only from the waist
up. It’s worth going early to grab a seat
near the stage.
“The Cody Rivers Show: Best of Volumes 4-6” delivers
an energetic hour of sketch comedy that will be
best appreciated by teens and adults.
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