"We owed them the show they came to see." - Dylan Reiff

That show being "STEMS in Grief" at the Apollo Studio Theater. This incredibly tight sketch show features Keith Hand, Chris Beach (iO), Drew Frees (iO, Second City), and Dylan Reiff (Neo-Futurarium), with stand-up by "HBO's Next Big Thing in Comedy"* Jesse Baltes, as well as some rather attractive turtlenecks (as pictured). However, the week we attended had some rather major technical problems. At the conclusion of the show, the tech was fixed, so what did STEMS do? THE ENTIRE SHOW AGAIN**.

Of course, no one would want to sit through the same show twice, right? Fortunately for the audience, STEMS's collective comedy experience allowed for retooled lines with the feel of an improv show, while still hitting pre-established plot points, including the death of a blow-up doll, a meeting with God, and overall zany antics. With some of the most creative use of multimedia in any sketch show, as well as a consistently offbeat outlook on itself, this is simply great comedy. The best thing we can compare it to is the guys from Comedy House putting together a sketch show; it's going to be good, it's going to be funny, and they are going to make damn sure you enjoy it.

STEMS in Grief answers the question "How do you properly mourn the loss of a friend who dies in a tragic misunderstanding about the lyrics to Lionel Richie's 'Dancing on the Ceiling'?" with the obvious answer; "Hijinx, alcohol, and nudity." In the end, two important lessons are learned; "Where to dance, and where not to dance." Maybe a third lesson was learned about checking your video connections before the show, but though the first version was funny, STEMS will settle for no less than perfection. Or at least the chance to see Dylan naked.

TONIGHT is the last run of this show before some retooling, so go check out this show!

STEMS in Grief! TONIGHT (Wednesday) @ 9:45pm @ The Apollo Studio Theater - $10

*This was admittedly a lie.
** The show did not repeat the stand-up of Jesse Baltes.***
*** This is true.

-Chris Singel