The Show Can't Go On!
In what appears to be her last show, a burned-out sketch comedy writer/director shares a behind-the-scenes look at the “mounting and sustaining” of “Orange is the New Orange"; a sketch comedy show that skates on the edge of disaster. It’s a look at what could go wrong—what did go wrong.
The 90-minute feature starts with the first table read and takes the audience to the final curtain–the last night of the show’s run. And, through every calamity along the way.
Iffy Actors. Conveyor-Belt Crew. One Burned-Out Sketch Comedy Director.
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In what appears to be her last show, a burned-out sketch comedy writer/director shares a behind-the-scenes look at the “mounting and sustaining” of “Orange is the New Orange”; a sketch comedy show that skates on the edge of disaster. It’s a look at what could go wrong—what did go wrong.
In this 90-minute mockumentary, Orange County Crazies founder, Cherie Kerr, finds herself in the middle of the most stressful production of her 40-year comedy career. The 90-minute feature starts with the first table read and takes the audience to the final curtain–the last night of the show’s run. And, through every calamity along the way.
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The bulk of the show centers around five beefy sketches featuring the five women who are incarcerated (in the RHOC: Real Housewives of Orange County, Prison) for crimes of “Fashion.” One for wearing white after Labor Day; Another for wearing a “Volex” on the same wrist with her “Mapple Watch” (to the boat parade); another for wearing a knock-off Murbarry bag to a theater and for buying a pair of “Ten West shoes at the Goodthrift.” Another does time for wearing a red suit during her political concession speech; and finally, one for wearing plaid with stripes.
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After being cast, the first group of “prisoner” cast members—those chosen to play the five “Rich Housewives of Orange County”—begin to run lines. None are very good actors. Even after three rehearsals the group never jells; they never get completely off-book; though they were instructed to. During what would be their final rehearsal that lasted 16 hours, the work-out builds in tension and culminates in an angry attack: one actor against the other. Director Kerr, who plays her own part, finally calls it a day. She instructs this contentious cast to get some rest and relaxation before returning for what is yet to be the next scheduled rehearsal.
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Monica, Marilyn, Bonnie, Bridget and Greta, expect to hear from Kerr, but the only one Kerr decides to notify is Greta, the actor playing the part of Mimi, the prison’s cook.
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Mounting rehearsals with a whole new cast of “Housewives,” Greta reports in for that group’s first rehearsal only to tell Kerr she is unable to do the show. Already behind the production’s timetable, Kerr assigns Greta’s part to one of the male actors in the show. Monica continues to call Kerr, hoping to return to OITNO cast
We see onstage faux pas and backstage chaos.
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Six performances were scheduled—each of them the last weekend (Friday and Saturday nights) over three months. The entire run ran into nail-biting challenges one of which was the parade of tech directors, none of whom could nail the cues; some who didn’t last through rehearsals.
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The story ends with Kerr’s commentary in a monologue announcing that she is quitting her four-decade sketch comedy career.
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Really? Is she?