Empire Review: The Escape Show!

Rhode Island’s longest-running premiere sketch-comedy showcase, the Empire Revue, is a curation of original sketches and songs, with the music of the Empire Revue House Band featuring special guest comedians, musicians, and other performing artists. Summer is a great time to escape, and August 11, allowed us to do just that! The show is billed as “A convivial conga of comedy carousal! The Sparkling Beatniks have been working hard all summer on new music and material to make you laugh. The Beatniks are hot but the theater was cool, man! This is the perfect way to escape the doldrums of a steamy summer night!” Co-producer and stage manager Nicky Mariani-Wilson said, “This summer’s edition marks our 19th anniversary presenting the show, which debuted in 2005 at the AS220 main stage.” The musicians make their job look easy, but Mariani-Wilson clearly worked hard as she ran around changing out props between skits and musical acts. She runs the 2.25-hour production alongside co-producer/creator Keith Munslow, who also serves as host, band leader, and director. With Munslow on keys, the other members of the House Band include George Dussault (guitar, vocals), Rick Couto (drums), and Joe Potenza (bass). “The Sparkling Beatniks are a troupe of 12 people or so, but not every person in the troupe is necessarily able to be in every show,” explained Mariani-Wilson. Performers on the 11th included Wilbury veteran Dave Rabinow (NASA Mission Control, Piña Colada guy), Kelly Seigh (Grandma, Pina Colada Woman, Cop Singer), Russ Kellogg (Alien, Astronaut, Marshall), Kate Sayles (Game Show Contestant, Hermit), Stuart Wilson (The Dictator, Game Show Host), Tiffany Fenton (Bubbles Woman, Bartender, Bailiff), and guest Beatnik Chris Brunelle (Prisoner Contestant, Prisoner Singer). Other performers you might see in the future include Tina Wolstencroft, Rachel Winslow, Jimmy Sorel, Brian Elliot, and Jake Goldman. Standout performances included a sketch called “The Easy Way Out.” Stuart Wilson, who played a dictator, and his wife, portrayed by Kelly Seigh, hysterically tried to off themselves with cyanide. Another skit, called “Grandma Won’t Leave,” features a woman (Kelly Seigh) kissing an alien (Russell Kellogg). Too funny! What will they think up next? •

The Empire Revue appears every quarter at the Wilbury Theatre Group in the WaterFire Center for the Arts, so if you missed it this time, stay tuned. They’ll be back this October!