Reviewed by Matt Ritchey

The improv musical theater group Robot Teammate is infamous for creating high-concept professional musicals with well-drawn and compelling characters, flawless structural storytelling, and “gets stuck in your head” musical numbers. Their past shows Thug Tunnel, Turbulence, and Timeheart were huge winners at past Hollywood Fringes.

And Pockets, their newest, is no exception. The British town of Crumpeton is about to celebrate Crumpet Day, the greatest and crumpetiest day of the year. But a new thief in town, who is known only as “Pockets,” at least by the end of the first song, is causing some serious problems. But the thief (Molly Dworsky) is actually Bellamina, the daughter of Crumpeton’s Duchess (Kat Primeau) and is stealing just to get Mom’s attention, as the Duchess is far too busy these days.

Pockets soon finds herself embroiled with the lowlife of the streets, including Veegan (Chris Bramante) and Jim Val Jim (Dave Reynolds), who plan to embarrass and take down the Duchess on Crumpet Day in front of all of Crumpeton!

The phrase “screaming with laughter” always comes to mind when describing Robot Teammate shows, and for good reason: you usually are. The company has added a huge ensemble for this piece, including Branson Nejame as composer and musical director, who work very well creating the town and giving more heft to the songs (which are brilliant and incredibly funny), an interesting new addition to the storytelling which, as ever, is perfectly structured and executed. Branson Nejame, composer and musical director.

Get to Crumpeton as fast as you can – before all the crumpets are gone.

Very Highly Recommended

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