ALONG COMES MARY

When in life do you know you have “made it”? What defines success to you? What if you’re seeing all your wishes come true for your best friend, and never yourself? These are some of the subjects covered in Mike Birbiglia’s newest dramedy, Don’t Think Twice.

After its world premiere earlier this year at SXSW, Don’t Think Twice has gone on to play the film festival scene, just had an amazing premiere at New York’s Sunshine Theatre and will at last  will begin playing at more theatres this month (Including LA this week!).

I went in not knowing too much about the premise, other than it boasted a fabulous cast including Kate Micucci (whom I am already a fan), Keegan-Michael Key from Key and Peele and Keanu fame, and Birbiglia himself.

Gillian Jacobs, Tami Sagher and Chris Gethard make up this ensemble cast who play improv comediennes with their own troop, The Commune. Each week, The Commune host a super fun improv show at a small club that is about to go bye-bye. This group of friends are not only fiercely talented, but, also, devoted to their comedic craft.

To get some of their own laughs, The Commune gather each week to giggle, have some drinks and poke fun on the living room floor at Weekend Live (AKA-Saturday Night Live). While I do watch SNL, it certainly has not felt in a great phase as of late. The talent is there (How can you not love Leslie Jones on Weekend Update? Or Kate McKinnon as Hilary Clinton?), yet, sometimes? The writing and laughs feel forced. Much like how Birbiglia portrays Weekend Live. Yet, it is clearly how The Commune gang will know they have made it: When they join the cast of Weekend Live.

When talent scouts from the series arrive at their improv night, some members shortly get the phone call to come in for an audition, while some do not. When one of The Commune’s very own gets IN on Weekend Live, several emotions come forward as they see their now star friend get more busy, more known, and favoring their TV roles over Improv nights in a basement. When audience members seeing The Commune seem more interested in seeing their star comedy member, feelings get hurt, naturally.

While I am in no way a comedienne, I related to Don’t Think Twice so well. it is all about knowing when you need to give up on your dreams. Living in a city in your 20’s, then 30’s. One of my most favorite lines in the film (And just that I’ve heard in a long time) is when it is said that your 20’s are when you hope, then, in your 30’s? You often are left feeling dumb to have ever hoped, and instead, you end up taking odd jobs just to try to make the rent.

Birbiglia absolutely nails mocking Saturday Night Live, right down to Timothy, the head honcho at the show (and clearly boasting traits of Lorne Michaels) and also at some of the guest bands on SNL. He did not hold back at the tongue in cheek, and it plays brilliantly.

Following the film, I had the pleasure to head  out to Vintage Enoteca on Sunset Boulevard to meet Mike Birbiglia, Keegan-Michael Key and Kate Micucci to get their views and insights on Don’t Think Twice. Stay tuned as later in the week I will share that fun afternoon with you! xo