Theater Review: 'Random Acts Cabaret'

For “Random Acts,” the black box Pinkerton Theatre, which lies within the Venice Theatre, has been transformed into a European-style cabaret, complete with tiny, round cloth-covered tables on which to set your cash-bar purchased drinks. This ambiance suits the raunchy, hilarious program to a fare-thee-well.

The show (formerly Cabaret Sarasota’s infamous Guerilla Theatre Troupe) consists of an eclectic compilation of edgy songs, monologues and scenes that are highly irreverent, but stop short of lewd. If you can laugh with your jaw in dropped position, you will guffaw your way through this wildly entertaining revue. One elderly couple sitting in the front row enjoyed it so much, they were moved to share a kiss, after one particularly suggestive scene.

Venice Theatre’s producing director Allan Kollar and guest director Kelly Woodland are proud of their new offspring. Woodland said ’Random Acts’ is not for the faint of heart. The show contains adult subject matter and language and may contain partial nudity. Our original group was a bunch of actors who were frustrated at the lack of opportunities to perform in edgier shows.” (“Random Acts” was formed in 1994, a year before Venice Theatre’s Stage II Series had been established.)

“We started by doing script readings at Main Book Store and then moved to Broadway Bar in Sarasota, when we were ready to stage full productions. Their regular customers weren’t sure they wanted to pay a cover charge to watch ‘plays,’ but they loved what they saw and kept coming back.”

Some sketch material includes “Road to Nirvana” by Arthur Kopit; Eric Bogosian’s monologue collection, “Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll” and the comedy, “Dearly Departed.” Additional music includes naughty songs like “Arthur in The Afternoon” by Kander and Ebb; “Sodomy” from Hair and Monty Python’s “I’m a Lumberjack.”

“Random Acts” features music director Peter Madpak and actors/singers Steve O’Dea, Ross Boehringer, Kristofer Geddie, Jenny Martin, Kim Kollar, Nancy Denton, Jessica Szempruch, Rik Robertson, Dawn Carpenter and Dorian Boyd. 

IF YOU GO
‘Random Acts’
When: 8 p.m., now through Aug. 25
Where: Pinkerton Theatre, 140 West Tampa Ave., Venice 
Tickets: $25 general; $13 student 
Call 488-1115