[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Goo Checkers, written by and starring Devin O’Brien and Aaron Rutt, directed by Sydney Turturro, and running June 20 at Hollywood Fringe Festival 2024.
What the Hollywood Fringe Festival can do absolutely brilliantly is give a home to some weird and wacky genius ideas by highly inventive and hilarious writers and performers. Goo Checkers is a perfect example of that. A show about a secret organization whose entire reason for existence is to make sure that none of us ever come into contact with the dreaded ‘goo.’ A deadly substance usually located within walls that no one, not even these checkers, has ever seen.

The highly trained “goo checkers” are two well-meaning, overly enthusiastic and slightly idiotic men. On the evening in question, they descend upon a well-established, family run Italian restaurant with an impeccable reputation on the very night the best food critic in town is in attendance. The owner of the establishment vacillates between fury, fear and utter denial. The critic seems to be intrigued and worryingly convinced and her stoic wife thinks everyone is insane. As the play unfolds we learn more and more about the ‘goo,’ its danger to humanity and the organization created decades ago by its founder whose own terrifying encounter inspired it.
It’s all parts ridiculous and hilarious. A bold commentary of the counter culture of unhinged theories based in no way shape or form on fact. The wonderful nutty performances by every single one of these very accomplished comic actors are nuanced and purposeful. The best way to be funny is often to be deadly serious and these people really go all the way. I loved this show, and given the audience’s raucous and appreciative reaction, I was not alone!

Goo Checkers is a wonderfully unique romp with funny heartfelt believable characters whose only crime is to want to believe. As usual, the only real villain is ourselves and our faithful preponderance to the unfounded, the unsubstantiated and the unhinged…
Goo Checkers also has some really excellent and equally hilarious media. Expertly filmed and a truly brilliant addition to this already fantastical play. The characters drive the story and as they pivot around the ridiculous beliefs of an insane billionaire, you cannot help but love them all. Bravo!!
Where:
The Hudson
6539 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90038
When:
Saturday, June 8 at 2:30 PM
Saturday, June 15 at 6:30 PM
Thursday, June 20 at 7 PM
Tickets:
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/10700?tab=tickets
@goocheckers
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/goo-checkers#
Cast
Goo Checkers stars UCB Maude Night’s Devin O’Brien and the Pack Theater’s Aaron Rutt, and features a short film by co-star and co-producer Nick Collins. This production is directed and co-produced by Fringe newcomer, Sydney Turturro. Goo Checkers brings together an ensemble cast of staples in the Los Angeles comedy community, including Smosh’s Amanda Lehan-Canto, the Pack Theater’s Caroline Hale, and the Groundlings Theater’s Kyle Lehner and Stephen Cannon.