THEATER REVIEW : Groundlings Add ‘Fondue’ to Its Menu

The latest Groundlings revue, “Groundlings Fondue Party,” doesn’t make its audience helpless with laughter, as has been the case with some Groundlings shows. But it does indicate that the group is tentatively venturing in a few new directions that show promise.

A couple of sketches--”Cleaning Crew” by Mike McDonald and Tim Bagley, and Bagley’s “Smeed Family Kitchen”--whip the audience into laughter at easy targets, then twist the plot so the audience (theoretically, at least) questions its own laughter. “Cleaning Crew” does this much more effectively than “Smeed.” Bagley’s performances in both are very funny, as is his solo piece about an old man who’s playing a particularly frustrating parlor game.

Phil LaMarr is especially adept as a hyperactive United Parcel Service carrier attempting to make a pick-up, in more ways than one, and as a rapper “role model,” in the first act finale.

Mary Scheer brings absolute precision to seven different characterizations during the show. That includes a tour de force as an incomprehensibly emotional courtroom witness and her opening stint (with Bagley and Jim Wise) in a shipboard family, hired to sing the praises of the cruise line’s buffet. Vic Wilson and Roger Eschbacher do sharp solos as, respectively, a professional panhandling consultant and an emperor who wisecracks while Rome burns. Deanna Oliver directs.

* “Groundlings Fondue Party,” Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 and 10 p.m. Dark Dec. 24-25. $16.50-$18.50. (213) 934-9700. Running time: 2 hours.