Over Our Head Players’ Snowdance Comedy Festival

Before I was told about Over Our Head Players’ Snowdance Comedy Festival I didn’t know anything about it.  I have a feeling I wasn’t alone. Still, every seat was filled Racine’s intimate Sixth Street Theatre, which doesn’t have a bad seat.

Snowdance closing ceremonies 2008. Photo courtesy of website.

Director and production manager Rich Smith planned the evening well, as each short play built on the energy of the previous one. The plays, submitted from all over the country, cover the entire spectrum of genres, from cute romantic comedy to the absolutely absurd.

The atmosphere was celebratory; the cast appeared to have as much fun as the audience. Each player had a special niche.  Tom Amacher’s — in white shorts, dress socks and sandals — embraced the ridiculous. Elizabeth McGregor and John Adams’ were comically and strikingly innocent. Abrasive Ron Schulz was the bull in the china shop. Mona Lewis’ specialized in expertly cheesy, schmaltzy camp.

During scene changes between plays, they offered local humor and tongue-in-cheek history lessons.  Somehow I didn’t mind that they were just reminding us all to go buy refreshments during intermission or turn off our cell phones.

Rich Smith, Creative Director of Over Our Head Players, holding Best in Show trophy 2008. Photo courtesy of website.

One of the best perks of this show: You get to vote for your favorites. It’s like a reality show, but with actual merit. My favorites included WI native Tim Bohn’s story about a young man’s first foray into ice fishing, Boston’s Rick Park’s lovers’ quarrel between two dolphins on a bus, and a soap opera parody where a couple discovers that their couch is pregnant, written by Iowan William Coleman.

The festival is irreverent, playful and quick.  If you want to sit in a room full of happy people and smile for a couple of hours, go see this show.

Over Our Head Player’s Snowdance Comedy Festival runs from Jan. 29th-Feb. 28th at the Sixth Street Theatre in Racine.  Votes will be tallied and winners will be announced on the final night of the run.  Visit Over Our Head Players or call 262-632-6802 for more information.