Not your mamma’s puppet show

While the concept of a dick show seems vulgar, I have to admit that I truly enjoyed myself tonight. I kidnapped an innocent bystander, my good girlfriend Kat, and headed out to Los Angeles to see Puppetry of the Penis at the Coast Playhouse. You may have heard of this international sensation; or it may come as a surprise to you that this show is a major success. Whatever the case, your jaw will drop, your stomach will roll, and your funny bone will be tickled –yes, I mean that in the dirtiest way possible. Tonight was a full house, with the audience (which was young and old, male and female) packed into the tiny theatre like sardines, in an all too intimate situation. I recommend arriving early so you can sit with your party. If you are squeamish do not sit in the front row – then again, if you are squeamish you probably shouldn’t attend a penis production. Gentlemen, don’t be afraid to attend this outrageous show – in fact, I think you might even learn a little something to impress your girlfriend. Rich Binning and Christopher J. Cannon are the puppeteers, trained in "The Ancient Australian Art of Genital Origami." This is apparently what happens when talented, intelligent male college students get bored: they practice dick tricks in their dorm room with their best buddy. There are several references to Australia in the show, paying homage to Simon Morley, an Aussie who conceived the show in 1996. Once you get past the initial shock, you may find yourself relaxing into the humor and technical skill displayed by these young men, as they stretched and manipulate their unmentionables into “hamburgers, “sombreros,” and various animals.

"Puppetry of the Penis: The Ancient Australian Art Of Genital Origami" at the Coast Playhouse in West Hollywood through March 28. It plays Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 pm; Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm and 9:30 pm; and Sundays at 5 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets are $39 Wednesdays/Sundays and $45 for all other performances.