Watch at Your Own Risk: Storefront Theater Musical

By Suzy Evans in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 16, 2009 4:00PM

While we don’t think it’s funny that many theaters are suffering in the recession, it certainly provides prime comedic material. Because when things don’t get better, all you can do is laugh. That’s what Corn Productions is choosing to do with Storefront Theater Musical, a charming and borderline offensive parody of the omnipresent High School Musical.

The show revolves around a storefront theater, the Upstage Theater, where there are three resident companies: Picasso’s Missing Ear (the improv troupe), The Really Realistic Realism Theater Company (straight dramas only) and L’eggs in a Basket (campy musical theater group). Of course all the companies hate each other which presents a problem for the son of the improv troupe leader, Trent Nutten, and Jillianana Ethnica, daughter of loopy “RRR” director. These two meet and fall in love while working at a summer stock theater. However, when the Upstage Theater starts to go under, the three groups must band together to put on a musical fundraiser. But will Trent and Jillianana find a way to make it to the callback when their friends and families are rooting against them? You get the picture.

While familiarity with High School Musical is not a prerequisite, the knowledge certainly helps keep you in on the humor. If you are morally opposed to all things Zac Efron, a basic understanding of Chicago theater will suffice. The show jabs at Chicago theater fixtures such as the Jeff Committee (the “George” committee) and Sketchfest (“Skit Fair”). While it is all in good fun (we think), we would not recommend this show to members of either group. Unless they enjoy being likened to a group of skeletons.

At the end of the day, it’s nice to find the humor in these undeniably difficult times, and the self-proclaimed “black sheep” of Chicago storefront theater, Corn Productions successfully accomplishes that. While not all the lyrics match up to the catchy and annoying HSM tunes, we appreciate the joke. (“We’re all in this together” becomes “Here’s your cheesy ending.”)

Storefront Theater Musical runs until May 16 at The Cornservatory Theater, 4210 N. Lincoln Ave., on Wednesday through Saturday. Tickets are $7 on Wednesday, $10 on Thursday and $15 on Friday and Saturday. Cornservatory has a BYOB policy. Call 312-409-6435 to reserve tickets or go to the website.