THE XXVI
FILES
SKETCH COMEDY GENIUSES, THE 3RD FLOOR,
ARE BACK WITH A NEW SHOW. WELL, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Erik Henriksen
FACT!
The dudes in the 3rd Floor are probably the funniest people
in Portland. ANOTHER FACT! Their latest show, The 3rd Floor
XXVI, is one of their best in recent memory—hilarious
and weird and amazing and inventive and clever. ONE MORE
FACT! If you miss XXVI, your life from here on out will
likely be joyless and sexless, and will stretch on for
countless dark and lonely years.
Less plot dependent than the 3rd Floor's previous
productions, the scattershot XXVI features sketches about
everything from a time-traveling pharmacist to
panty-stealing ninjas. Also included: the funniest sketch
about pancakes that's ever been performed, and the best use
of Bonnie Tyler's "Holding out for a Hero" since Kevin
Bacon showed those dipshit hicks what was what in
Footloose.
While the 3rd Floor's female members are missed in this
all-male show, the shrunk-down ensemble is still in fine
form. (And don't worry, ladies, the overall estrogen
balance is maintained—the 3rd Floor's show is
followed by a performance by Portland's only female sketch
comedy group Eastland Academy.) New addition Melik
Malkasian—better known as the star of local films
Film Geek and The Auteur—proves a fantastic addition
to the cast, which also features the always-excellent
Andrew Harris, as well as Jason Rouse (who, after several
shows of being a supporting cast member, thankfully gets
more to do here).
If there's one disappointing aspect to XXVI, it's that
there aren't any video segments. In previous shows, the 3rd
Floor have utilized short films throughout, proving
themselves not only some of Portland's best stage
performers but also some of its best filmmakers. But while
it's lame to not have any video pieces this time, it's hard
to complain when the rest of the show is this goddamn
great.
THE 3RD
FLOOR XXVI
3RD FLOOR PROVES LESS CAN BE MORE
Grant Butler
One of
the fun things about watching The 3rd Floor over the years
is the way the sketch comedy troupe expands and contracts
from show to show, incorporating different actors into its
lineup in service to the hilarity of the moment.
With "The 3rd Floor XXVI," which opened Friday night at
Miracle Theatre, a stripped-down crew of five actors coaxed
big laughs out of oddities like suicidal hula dancers,
panty-stealing ninjas and a depressed pancake cook. Unlike
some 3rd Floor shows, these sketches are linked by their
randomness, rather than some over-arching theme. This
scattershot approach makes for a real guilty pleasure: No
big-picture messages tonight, folks - just big fun.
Each performer gets a chance to shine. Among the standouts:
troupe leader Ted Douglass as a maniacal would-be tyrant
who can hypnotically get people to dance to the themes from
long-dead TV shows; and Andrew Harris literally gets to
spread his wings as a trash-talking, spandex-clad variety
show host.
Most impressive of all is new troupe member Melik
Malkasian, a terrific young actor who in the last few years
has starred in a couple of terrific made-in-Portland indie
films, "Film Geek" and "The Auteur." He delivers some of
the evening's funniest moments, as a Mexican mariachi
player who can't really play the guitar; and as the bloated
leader of a perverted crime syndicate, who is prone to
wardrobe malfunctions.
While most of the show is fast-paced and fresh, a few
segments lagged in their timing - something sure to tighten
as the show's run continues. But there's big energy here,
even with the small cast. Sometimes less really is more.
THE 3RD
FLOOR XXVI
A SKETCH COMEDY SPECTACULAR
Stephanie El-Hajj
Have you
ever wondered what it would be like to watch a comedy
YouTube channel sans the loading between videos, or
buffering interruptions, or annoying popups? Better yet,
streamed…. LIVE? Ah, I can see you’re
intrigued.
3rd Floor, a Portland sketch comedy group comprised of the
hilarious Michael Fetters, Melik Malkasian, Ted Douglass,
Jason Rouse and Andrew Harris, is that, and so much more.
These guys put out hilarious, purely original sketches, in
a seamless stream, of comedic genius. Better yet, the tiny
Miracle Theater cozies up the audience and actors, so that
you’re a part of the action. Just beware of sitting
too close.
Highlights: The failed surprise birthday, ninja drama, Tom
(oh god, Tom), and some undeniable cast member sexual
tension (ahh I kid, I kid).
The best (worst?) part is that no amount of explaining can
accurately describe the show, and any attempt will make me
sound crazier than the Burnside locals. You’ll just
have to experience the madness for yourself. Go. Seriously.
But get there early, there’s limited seating.