Loopholes: A Hodgepodge of Puns, Shticks, and One-Liners

By Nathaniel Cayanan

Tax season–the time of year when Americans collectively shake their fist in the air, cursing the greedy, bureaucratic powers-that-be at the Internal Revenue Service. For most, this time is but a temporary one of irritation, much like the hiccups or dinner with the in-laws, but for a few, tax season lasts for years. Such was the case for Stan Rich, playwright and lyricist for the new musical Loopholes: A Pain in the IRS, which premiered this past Tax Day in Hollywood. This musical parody, which follows Rich’s real-life 15-year legal battle with the IRS, pokes fun at the easily vilified government agency, while utilizing self-referential humor and shtick. Unfortunately, however, because of the writing’s lack of finesse and overreliance on certain gags, this production places incredible weight on a cast already given weak material.
The musical tells the story of Izzy Rich (pun painfully intended), who falls victim to a narrow interpretation of tax law which forces him to owe the IRS more than he’s worth. With awkward song and dance, Izzy goes through a long legal battle while balancing a romantic life (or lack thereof) and fighting off a nervous breakdown.
Sadly, with little for the audience to really grasp onto lastingly, the production loses its novelty ten minutes in. This is perhaps because Rich (the writer, not the character) seems so self-satisfied with his own cleverness. But, his jargon-filled punch lines and overabundance of puns (along with a joke suspiciously similar to that from the television show “Arrested Development”) come at the sacrifice of character development and organic plot progression. And while there are attempts to offer some substance via subplots featuring an ambivalent IRS agent and love-struck psychiatrist, such attempts feel contrived even meaningless by the end.
This certainly is a shame since the cast exhibits obvious talent deserving of more than the material presented to them. One can even say that, with dogged determination and individual charm, the cast salvages the entire show. This is especially true with Perry Lambert’s hilarious, Jon Lovitz-esque performance as a lovable CPA, Caryn Richman’s adorable “Dr. Marsha Mellow” and Camille Licate’s underutilized but delightful IRS agent, whose story sadly fades away by the end of the show.
Now, this is not to say that no one can enjoy this musical. In spite of its shortcomings, it is energetic, at times funny, cleverly choreographed (as long as you know that they’re trying to be awkward), and bolstered by a dedicated cast. But don’t be surprised if at some point, you find yourself listening to the ten thousandth one-liner about how the IRS is evil and want to stand, shake your fist and shout, “We get it already!”
Loopholes: A Pain in the IRS will play through May 17th. Performances will be Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. and Sunday 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., at The Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038. Tickets are $30 for General Admission and can be purchased by phone, (323) 960-7735, or online at: www.loopholestemusical.com.

Photos by Ed Krieger

Photos by Ed Krieger

Photos by Ed Krieger

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