FREEDOM!

Laughter as Weapon: Ready, Aim, Skewer!

By Bob Morrison

The biggest surprise of my Fringing so far was "Freedom." It uses comedy to challenge damaging African-American stereotypes. Wow! Perfect for this white guy who graduated from Howard University in 1969 (we rioted for longer open hours at the library--think about that!) and has two adopted African-American children. I decided to go as a duty. I felt obligated to endure it.

Hey! Was I surprised. I laughed my a** off. The funniest show of the Fringe so far, and you don't have to be Black to get it!

With skill and impeccable timing, these performers skewer self-destructive behaviors ranging from the antebellum (for y'all Yankees, that means before the War of Northern Aggression) antagonism between house slave and field slave . . .


to the "Jesus as a Giant Aspirin" attitude that denies problems and considers God an ally in personal conflicts.


Along the way, stereotypes such as Steppin Fetchit are given their hilarious comeuppance


and rapsters who condemn the demeaning of women while demeaning women themselves are satirized with razor-sharp humor.

The funniest scene of the entire Fringe so far was the talk show where Daddy Rapper talked with the TV host and and Baby Rapper repeated every syllable--but half a beat later. As the IMers say, ROFLMAO. Yess. Yess. Truly hilarious.


FREEDOM is playing again on Friday the 27th at 7:30, and Saturday the 28th at 3:30 and 7:30. Admission is $20, and its talented cast makes it fall down on the floor funny. What a hoot! Consider yourself warned--pull up your Depends--and don't miss it.

For more "Freedom" scenes, visit my Bonnie Briar Productions web site.
Cheers.
Bob