 "Photo: Courtesy Esther’s Follies")
It would seem that after 30 years the joke would get old, but like a fine wine, Esther's Follies gets better with age. The show, located at 525 E. Sixth Street, has been an Austin staple for 31 years now and has been bringing the laughs the whole time. Co-owners (and husband and wife) Shannon Sedwick and Michael Shelton have owned and operated the award-winning comedy shop since its inception.
Billed as a comedy/vaudeville/magic show, one may not know what to expect upon a first visit to Esther's, but that only helps the show's comedy, which feeds on audience reaction and involvement. The venue is extremely intimate, with chairs set up to the very front of the building (and always packed to capacity).
From the very beginning, the cast is full of energy, with an opening musical number to welcome the audience and introduce the first act, a musical recap of popular culture and national/world news. The segment is rife with song parodies and political jokes that take aim at both parties. For instance, the Clinton-Obama rivalry provided fodder for the troupe, who delighted audiences with their take on a Democratic debate. Larry Craig has also taken quite a bit of heat from the company. Various skits either set to classic tunes or "Saturday Night Live"-style sketches entertain the audience, while magician Ray Anderson amazes the crowd with his magic tricks. Though it may sound cheesy, the magic in this show is not only astounding but hysterical. It is played out in front of a huge glass window that overlooks Sixth Street, giving Anderson a number of drunken Austinites to mock and surprise with his quick wit and magic.
There is a short intermission (with a full bar in the back) followed by more sketches, magic and overall hilarity. The coolest part, though, is that the very people who participate in the cast are also largely contributors to the material. Sedwick, for instance, is both a head writer and director, while husband Shelton is in charge of the props and set. Many of the other cast members contribute to the scripts as well. Indeed the Monday afternoon writers' meetings are often full of laughs while all of the writers go through their skits and decide which are funny, dull or too obscene even for Esther's.
Austin is very loyal to its own businesses, and Esther's Follies certainly keeps Austin weird. Its brand of comedy is unique and obviously successful. They also have previously employed student interns during the semester. The job is both flexible with school schedules and a true learning experience for anyone interested in the entertainment industry. Not to mention, it's extremely fun and a great work environment.
Though tickets can be a bit pricey, ($20 for open seating, $18 student/senior/military discount on Thursday and Friday), Esther's Follies is worth it. The world needs more laughs today, and Esther's Follies is doing everything it can to help out the situation.
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