REVIEWS
Examiner's story by Laura Wellman
The variety show format, like its long deceased cousin vaudeville, has its perils. Murray has yet to engage in any stupid pet tricks, but to stay true to the genre he has included acts that require a high level of skill to be successful and really good ventriloquists, interpretive dancers, poets and comedy troupes are getting harder and harder to find. There will never be a shortage of singers however and honorable mention must go to COLEY GRUNDMAN, a so-so balladeer, who found previously unmined comic depths in JIMMY WEBB's opus "Macarthur Park." Proceeds from VV always benefit a charity, in this case the Native American Health Center, and the next edition is scheduled for November 26. Do go!
VIVA VARIETY! - Sometimes you just wonder why you waited so long to do something. In this case, I can't for the life of me explain why STEVE MURRAY's "Viva Variety 29" on Tuesday was my first. Murray has a generally keen eye for spotting talent and this edition of his ongoing hommage to ED SULLIVAN had some truly outstanding moments. Top of the list was AMY BOYD, a lesbian comic who could give MARGARET CHO a refresher course on discussing the perils of female physiology WHILE keeping it funny (think ROBIN WILLIAMS as a cute, blond dyke). More laughs came courtesy of KAREN QUEST, whose droll delivery evokes a countrified version of LILY TOMLIN's Judith Beasley, and whose rope trick skills - yes, I said rope trick - suddenly make a rodeo seem appealing. The other big delight was LUNATIQUE FANTASTIQUE whose comic puppetry machinations with such ordinary "found" items as a sock, a plastic cup and a few lengths of foam rubber are extraordinary. Just go see them for yourself and you'll understand!!
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