Excellent article from Louise Kennedy of the Boston Globe about shock theater. Among the points she makes, she write about her "[frustration] with the culture for mistaking cheap thrills for real ones". Hallelujah, girl! In numerous festivals that I have participated in, I can tell you first hand that the show that features nudity and any kind of phallic display is always the one that sells out--doesn't matter how good it is.
As a comedian, who has worked clubs across the country, the above quote hits home--comedy today is all about shock. The finesse of a well-crafted, well-thought out joke is rare indeed. Why put forth the effort to craft a jewel of comedy if a dick joke or sexual reference will more easily get a laugh? To go even further, I think the line between shock and comedy has been blurred: comedy is shock and shock is comedy. One of the principles in creating a great punchline is to incorporate the element of surprise. I think this has been perverted into the element of shock, and I do not believe the average comedy-going audience really knows or cares to know the difference.
For all the parallels I see between theater and stand-up, I have to say it's disappointing that theater has taken this turn, but again, kudos to Louise!
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