No longer merely a dramatic cry from Marlon Brando, Stella has become a tour de force of unique creepy comedy. Created by David Wain, Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter, Stella Comedy is currently on tour throughout the U.S. and will be performing tonight at the Paradise Rock Club.
To give a sense of the trio's style: If you asked them why they were performing in a rock club, they would probably answer very sincerely "because we are rock stars!" and then try and get you to touch their dildo.
You may recognize the names of the members of Stella from their long and sordid comedic careers. Showalter, Black and Wain first teamed up as New York University students when they created the groundbreaking sketch show "The State," which was picked up by MTV and, in the author's humble opinion, should never have been taken off the air. Incidentally, showing that the author is not alone in his sentiment, the "The State" made the Wall Street Journal's list of "The Top 10 shows on Television."
"The State" developed a devoted fan base due to its zany and distinctive brand of comedy that relied on outrageous situations and unexpected twists. Mailmen would deliver tacos instead of mail, excess cash would be used to purchase staggeringly large amounts of pudding, and Muppets would be caught and devoured for meals.
After "The State," Black went on to help create the show "Viva Variety" that aired on Comedy Central as "Viva Variety," which, again, in this author's humble opinion, he could have done without.
In the post-"State" period Wain and Showalter co-wrote the instant cult-'80s summer camp classic "Wet Hot American Summer." It premiered at Sundance in 2001 and is now a regular midnight movie in many movie theaters across the country.
Showalter starred, Wain directed and Black was brought in, along with Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce and Paul Rudd to play the cast of bizarre camp counselors. Anyone who enjoys laughing and has not seen this film should be dragged into the street, covered in maple syrup and beaten with pool cues - and then should watch the movie.
Stella began in 1997 as a nightclub act at Fez in New York City. The show drew critical praise and soon become one of the city's premiere venues for off-the-cuff comedy, with guest appearances by Garofalo, Ben Stiller and David Cross as well as the NYC based sketch comedy and improv troupe, "The Upright Citizen's Brigade."
Stella's style of comedy is marked by a sense that almost anything can happen. When watching one of their shorts, it is nearly impossible to guess where the trio will end up. The one thing that is certain is that they do not shy away from humor that would redden the cheeks of the average American, as sex toys and humping feature prominently during key plot twists.
Stella is also not for the homophobic as often the pelvic thrusts occur between men. "Part of our show is that we're friends and the strange rituals of male bonding," Showalter told The Onion AV Club, "and there's such a fine line between male bonding and gay sex."
Strangely enough however, the troupe is not low brow, but just plain strange. Sexually explicit bits do not come off as cheap or dirty, but are often disturbing - such as when a dildo is used with the enigmatic menace of a Pinter play.
There are those that may just be weirded out by Stella, but when it works, the creepiness is so inexplicably hilarious that one's laughter becomes impossible to control.
For a better example, visit their Web site and watch some of the sketches available for download (http://www.stellacomedy.com). If you like what you see, and granted these are not for everybody, then you can purchase their DVD. Or if you're so inclined, go experience the hilarity live and in person, tonight.
