Back to RuggImprov

Los Angeles Times
Saturday, April 25, 1992

STAGE REVIEW Tujunga Group Assembles Giddy Fun
DON SHIRLEY
TIMES STAFF WRITER

Magnolia Boulevard in North Hollywood has been touted as "the 
next Melrose" in a promotional campaign that has raised the 
eyebrows of some of the neighbors. 
But with the arrival of the Tujunga Group in "Some Assembly 
Required," at the Acme Comedy Theatre near the heart of the "next 
Melrose," that label suddenly seems less ridiculous. For every 
Melrose needs its Groundlings, and this "next Melrose" has found 
its Groundlings look-alikes in the Tujunga Group.

"Some Assembly Required" features the same mix of sketches and 
improvs, the same sharply manic caricatures, the same knack for 
incorporating audience members themselves-as well as their 
ideas-into the action. As at the Groundlings, it's all connected 
and powered by an electronic keyboard player (Jonathan Green).

The writing may not be up to the Groundlings average yet, but 
there is plenty of talent and promise here. Paul Rugg appears to be 
the most prolific and clever writer, as well as the most 
chameleonic performer. And producer-director M.D. Sweeney 
structured the program so that the weaker bits are soon forgotten, 
and the audience leaves in a fairly giddy mood.

The program appears to change with some regularity, so there is 
no guaranteeing that every evening is as zippy as the one I saw. 
But it would be fun to go back to see another one. 
The Tujunga Group in "Some Assembly Required," Acme Comedy Theatre, 
5124 Lankershim Blvd. (just south of Magnolia), North Hollywood, 
Fridays-Saturdays, 8:30 p.m. Indefinitely. $12. (818) 753-0650. Running
time: 2 hours.

                 Back to RuggImprov