from Charleston Post and Courier - June 6, 2004

Could there be some connection that the "No Shame Theatre" is performing at the Chapel Theatre? Are the performers praying this will be their big break? "No Shame" is intended to be a low-risk performance environment where you can explore any aspect of the theater you want and not have fear of failure keep you from actually attempting success.

Founded in 1986 by Todd Ristau, Stan Ruth and Jeff Goode, chapters of No Shame operate around the country. There can be as many as 14 performances going on in different venues at the same time.

Anyone can pay their $8 and get a slot to perform a three- to five- minute play, puppet show, mime, song, dance, dramatic reading, stand-up comedy routine -- you name it. Friday night, all adult ages were represented in the audience, but virtually only the young went on stage. Which doesn't necessarily mean work of a senior citizen is forbidden. The troupe will happily perform your piece for you if you are the shy type, no matter what your age.

The emcee rattled off a list of performers too fast to list. The company's literature claims performances are open to all ages, but if you have a young child who is not already familiar with just a touch of adult language -- hard to believe theses days --he or she ought to stay home. There is nothing obscene, no nudity and nothing illegal.

Because I found much of the humor too sophomoric for my taste, this group is not my cup of tea. But that's why they make chocolate and vanilla ice cream and this is only opinion after all. During the hour, there are many chuckles and guffaws. It's been said there is a thin line between comedy and tragedy. Hence, listen carefully to the words. There is an undercurrent of sadness and anger to the jesting, possibly the result of today's world.

Of the 15 or so acts, one was about a man who loves fire. It reminded me of the pyromaniac in the exceptionally funny movie, "Cosi." Another was a hoot of a parody of a soap opera. Then there was Samantha, convincing as a second-grader. As her act proceeded we found out that she goes home crying because her nasty teacher told the class there was no Santa Claus. Her imaginary mother wasn't much help because she tried to console Samantha by telling her that Santa is a fat old pedophile and that it didn't matter anyway because they were Jewish. That's when the "child" stabbed her mother for calling Santa fat! Bump stage lights to black.

This is definitely amateur night in Charleston. Still, there is a lot of talent out there and a lot of no talent as well. Nonetheless, it takes guts to get up in front of a bunch of people and do your thing. Give them all a gold star for trying.

This type of entertainment has been popular forever. At the turn of the 20th century, there was vaudeville. In the 1930s, Major Bowes radio show was all the rage. When television made its debut, "Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour" in the '50s and '60s was trendy. "The Gong Show" came along in the '70s and now we are stuck with "American Idol."

As for "No Shame Theatre," who knows, maybe some big-time Hollywood producer will be in the audience one evening and whisk someone away to fame and fortune.