It’s possible that Shadowbox Live’s new show is so intriguing due to its sensual songs, or perhaps it’s the sexual overtone of the sketches. Either way, the theater’s steamy new show to kick off 2013, “Between the Sheets,” offers a slew of adult-friendly material that either left the audience laughing or had them gazing with dropped jaws.
At last night’s opening while not all of the sketches were uproarious, each seemed warranted scenes to fit the theme.
The first skit of the night stars a teenager named Sedrick, played by Jimmy Mak, on his way to hang out with a girl from school when his parents, Julie Klein and David Whitehouse, stop him to give him “the talk.” Through baseball and cooking metaphors, Klein and Whitehouse attempt to give their son hysterical sex advice but end up confusing him in the end.
Three of the sketches from “Between the Sheets” showcase a phone sex line which caters to nerds and anything they may want to discuss, such as “The Avengers” and “Dungeons and Dragons.” While the first was comical, it gets played out after the second and by the time the third was over I was just hoping there wouldn’t be another before the show ended.
At one point during “Between the Sheets,” a couple of skits take the time to address the cliché misunderstandings between the opposite sex through an app that translates what each sex is actually thinking, spoiler alert: all men think about is sex, while all women just want babies.
A few video installments concerning an upcoming Shadowbox musical titled “Underland” were thrown in the mix but seemed out of place and promotional rather than enhancing to the show.
Most of the songs in this production lean towards a seductive and edgy performance with no shortage of flesh being shown.
Amy Lay steams up the room with George Michael’s “I Want Your Sex,” and an erotic version of Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire” by Jennifer Hahn and Jamie Barrow exhibits not only the performers seductiveness, but also their underrated voices.
A standout version of “A Fool for Your Stockings” by ZZ Top, sung by powerhouse Julie Klein caught my attention to start off Act II, but an immense highlight came from JT Walker III’s execution of Prince’s “Darling Nikki.” Not many people can do the theatrical artist Prince justice but Walker nailed it.
“Between the Sheets” brings together sexual innuendos, sensual clichés and sultry outfits, or lack there of, for a passionate show to begin the New Year.
“Between the Sheets” runs at The Shadowbox Live theater at 503 S. Front Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 on select Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. through March 23. Tickets $30 for general admission or $20 for students of seniors.
For more information, visit www.shadowboxlive.org.
