Instead, this “off-the-wall, free-for-all” musical comedy misses the mark in many of its choices, including technical areas.

Overall, with its array of characters, good-natured participation and funny one-liners, the show has some appeal, but in bits and pieces.

The production does a skewed takeoff on the old “This Is Your Life” television show, utilizing an audience member as the subject. The chosen subject then is introduced to a series of characters supposedly from his or her life.

It’s a workable premise, with all of this treated somewhat sarcastically by the congenial yet obsessive host (Henry Polic II).

However, all of the characters presented are straight out of Central Casting, and the cast appears to play it straight rather than find the humor in the absurdity. Anthony Alda’s take on a Las Vegas-based cabbie and stepdad is a nice try but he is too young. Alda cannot make the faux gut or the schmaltzy dance numbers work. But as he goes from character to character, it is to his credit that he remains a good sport.

Peggy Mannix fares better as the ex-magician, showgirl mother, and seems to be more at ease playing over-the-top characters. However, it is Polic, with his funny facial expressiveness and comic timing, who makes the night salvageable.

Technically, there are some bumps. For example, the choice to place the subject offstage left can be uncomfortable for audience members straining to see. The lighting, unlike on brightly lit sets of television gameshows, is slightly dim. And certain dance numbers either lost or had no audio.

Is This Your Life?

(Zephyr Theatre, West Hollywood; 45 seats; $ 22 top)

Production: Eleanor Albano and I.T.A. present a musical comedy with songs by Ron Abel and Chuck Steffan; director, Abel; set and lighting design, Richard Bluhm; costumes, Alex Jaeger; sound, Tom Manche.
Crew: Choreography, Toni Kaye. Opened Oct. 10, 1994; reviewed Nov. 7; runs through Dec. 31. Running time: 1 hour, 30 min.
Cast: Cast: Henry Polic II, Anthony Alda, David Engel, Cady Huffman, Peggy Mannix. Is This Your Life?" should be one of those comically satiric productions whose humor stays with audiences long after they leave the theater. It isn't.

Charlamagne tha God Variety Feature Story

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Is This Your Life?