Chain Theater's BRODY WENT MISSING-A Comedy with Jokes that Keep Coming

The comic spoof BRODY WENT MISSING doesn't miss an opportunity to throw out a joke or parody TV sitcoms. This is an original buddy road trip with charm and laughs that keep coming. This one act, 90 minute play is sure to make you laugh especially if you keep up with its spit fire pace. The innovative staging utilizes every foot of its compact space. Videos were used to advantage as well as the stairs going into the audience. The intimate Chain Theater on 38th and 8th had a full house last night for its premier. The roomy seats and well raked seating provided good viewing throughout. The play written, directed also stars Matt Stephens as Doug, one of three inseparable friends since childhood. We're introduced to the three best buddies and adult roommates in a video that satirizes friendship sitcoms with wit and whimsy. Andy Fitch plays the title role character Brody. Brody dons a Keystone Cop mustache and a world weary persona. Brody's other bestie Angie is played by Florence Friebe. Doug and Angie are anxiously awaiting Brody's who's returning from a job interview. He's less than thrilled he aced the interview and got the job as a manager at a party store that is owned by his mother. "I had no idea my mother was such a tough interviewer." The dialogue is riddled with irony, droll humor and whip-smart physical comedy. The following morning Doug and Angie discover a goodbye note from Brody leaving them adrift. Brody's overbearing mother enlists his roommates to find her son while revealing she "never liked them. You were always a bad influence on him. But then you knew I never liked you." "No," deadpans Doug who looks bewildered and hurt. Doug carries off the affable, malleable "Forest Gump" character with aplomb and proves he can handle any punch thrown his way. The sojourn commences to track down Brody by Doug, Angie and two private detectives hired by Brody's mom who are both named Rudy "but spelled very differently". The journey involves planes, cars and a motley mix of personalities and silly scenarios. Some plot twists digress muddling the mystery. Certain scenes should be shortened: the hours in the car dragged, the punching was relentless, the tattooing was tortuously long and the bar brawl could get cut out altogether. Nonetheless, the show has plenty of parody and laughs that land. While the show would benefit from some edits, it has plenty of laughs to be found which makes BRODY WENT MISSING a show not to be missed.