Furiously Funny

The critically acclaimed Furious Theatre Company, which performs at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre, the balcony space above the Pasadena Playhouse, has announced its 2008-09 season.

There's a surprising emphasis on humorous fare—albeit dark humor, for the most part. The season kicks off Oct. 25-Nov. 22 with the West Coast premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's Off-Broadway comedy U.S. Drag, directed by Darin Anthony, about two young Manhattan women who join a community advocacy group named after a serial attacker terrorizing the city. Next is Anthony Nielson’s free adaptation of Dickens' classic story The Night Before Christmas (Nov. 29-Dec. 20), directed by Robert Pescovitz, called an adults-only Christmas comedy, about a closeted elf, a hooker, and a harried warehouse worker.

The season concludes with Peter Sinn Nachtrieb's Hunter Gatherers (Jan. 24-Feb. 21, 2009), directed by Damaso Rodriguez, in its L.A. premiere. A married couple invites their best friends over for an annual get-together. It begins with an animal sacrifice, progressing to sex, more violence, deception, wrestling, and dancing. Dare we ask: Who’s afraid of Peter Sinn Nachtieb?

-- Les Spindle