Top Chef Masters

Apr 4, 2011

Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally in 'Summer of 69: No Apostrophe'

Michelle Sandoval READ TIME: 3 MIN.

Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman are an inspirational power couple. Married for over 15 years, the hilarious duo are currently touring the country with their revealing variety show, "Summer of 69: No Apostrophe." I had the pleasure of seeing them at the legendary Wiltern Theatre as they made their way through Los Angeles last week, and while I had no idea what to expect from the show I went in knowing I would not be disappointed. One thing was certain -- I was in for a good time, because whenever these two come together on any stage they manage to create a powerfully magical experience for their viewers.

"Summer of 69" is a marginally scripted variety show full of racy musical numbers, personal stories and comedic bits. One can never really tell if the actors are speaking the truth when they reveal personal details about their lives, but their stories are so outrageous you spend the whole time hoping they are.

As an audience member you will be given a rare look at this couple's relationship, the good the bad and the ugly; a glimpse into their personal lives. There will be secrets revealed, favorite sexual positions shared, fights and maybe even a break-up, but despite the laughs and the jokes and the down-right inappropriateness of the show at times, the genuine love these stars share for each other is always center stage.

Both actors are best known for their comedic roles, Mullally from her past in "Will & Grace" and current recurring role on "Children's Hospital," and Offerman for his fantastic portrayal of Ron Swanson in NBC's "Parks and Recreation." "Summer of 69" is no exception, offering endless laugh out loud moments; however, their talent is not limited to comedy.

I had the pleasure of seeing these two in "Annapurna" a while back and was blown away by their remarkable chemistry. Both delivered truly shattering dramatic performances, a nice step away from the comedy they are so well known for. Their portrayal of a couple who have lost their way but have never stopped loving each other was extremely touching and remains one of my favorite performance of the past year.

Aside from Mullally and Offerman sharing the stage, "Summer of 69" also gets the audience involved, bringing guests on stage to participate in portions of the show. While these bits were funny enough, I found myself thrown off as the participants all seemed to be heavily intoxicated. There was also an audience member who was escorted out after Offerman repeatedly asked him to put his cellphone away.

The couple handled all of these instances well, always moving along quickly after an awkward moment. Even obvious missteps, like singing off key or forgetting a lyric was laughed off as if the two were performing for a group of friends instead of a couple of hundred strangers. All of this, along with Offerman hopping around the stage on crutches from a foot injury, to the endless goofy giggles of the two, gave the show a delightfully quirky feel.

The show runs for approximately two hours and is definitely worth the pricey cost of admission, especially if you are fans of the stars. It will make you feel uncomfortable at times, but somehow in a good way. These two never disappoint and "Summer of 69" can be added to their long list of hilarious accomplishments.

Some of us know that Offerman is also known for his skills as a carpenter, and actually makes and sells high quality wooden furniture when he isn't occupied making America laugh on TV. Growing up I always had this vision in my head that I would meet this right person, fall madly in love and solidify it all by carving our initials in a heart on a big oak tree. It's a silly fantasy but even now as an adult I think the gesture is romantic and endearing. I hope that somewhere Nick has done this for Megan, because in this cynical world where power and money are valued above all, the love these two have for each other is nothing short of inspiring.

"Summer of 69: No Apostrophe" played on May 21 at The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010. For information, visit http://www.wiltern.com. For upcoming dates for this show, visit www.livenation.com.


by Michelle Sandoval

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