Doug Moe Is A Bad Dad at UCB Theatre New York

 

 

On this rainy Wednesday night with weather so inclement even the Occupy Wall Street protesters were contemplating an evening in with a DVR full of Millionaire Matchmaker episodes - there was a humble showing from an excited audience, venturing out to see this one man show by Doug Moe.

My expectation is two fold when imagining a great solo sketch show:  either it’s a character actor wowing an audience with their performance range, or it’s a dynamic long form monologue whose subject matter is as intriguing as the performer themselves.  Doug Moe cross-pollinated, utilizing a handful of multi media tools to engage the audience in a number of short scenes in an attempt to answer one simple question: Is Doug Moe a Bad Dad?

Doug certainly captivated the audience with his subject matter, discussing his parental status with both a semblance of sincerity and absurdist scenarios – enter the characters.  He played a range, from future Doug toasting his hypothetically disastrous daughter’s wedding to his own daughter herself, complete with a plotting, Shakespearean inner monologue.

His use of video projection and audio playback layered in multiple voices – okay two voices – his own and his young daughters, providing opportunities for both dialogue and character interaction.  Perhaps I’ve seen one too many failed experimental art shows paired with abstract video, but my first reaction to a lowering projection screen is always one of a guttural sigh.  Fortunately, Doug’s use was light and irreverent.  In one scene, we listen to Doug’s attempt to direct his adorable daughter to deliver a line into the voice recorder.  She flubs it in that playful way that makes scolding bad behavior impossible, and we hear the entire interaction while Doug stands on stage in self-effacing acceptance.

Well written, well directed and well paced, this show was an all around pleasure.  Whether Doug was simply on stage with his thoughts or giving a lapdance to an audience member, his engaging stage presence and quirky sense of humor lends itself well to a one-man show. Doug Moe may be a Bad Dad, but his show is pretty damn good.

Starring: Doug Moe, Directed By: Mike Still