by Michael Leverton

Sunday, November 20, 2005

It's easy to create visual art out of found objects -- you simply label them as such -- but what about making comedy out of them? That's the idea behind Killing My Lobster's Nothing Is Original, a series of sketches centered on found notes, old advertisements, newspaper clippings, and other informational detritus. Highlights include an overwrought letter of apology from a Boy Scout who swiped a candy bar, Civil War era sweethearts who confuse modern advertisements found on doorknobs with love letters, and a notorious Microsoft e-mail scam, in which performers embody each member of a long message thread (including the genius who hits "Reply to all" to tell everybody to stop hitting "Reply to all"). Even when the material lags, the players carry the sketches -- particularly Andrew Bancroft, who elevates a bizarre jazz-cat poetry reading with masterful feline quirks.

The show closes tonight at 7 at the Thick House, 1695 18th St. (at Arkansas), S.F. Admission is $12-17; call 587-4465 or visit www.killingmylobster.com.

From sfweekly.com
Originally published by SF Weekly November 16, 2005
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