Olympia Little Theatre’s “Love, Sex, and the IRS”

Originally published on social media on February 8th, 2024

Tonight’s performance was a refreshing change of pace. Whether it be a film or play, I think we all need a screwball comedy sometimes.

This particular screwball performance takes place in the hippie part of the 1960’s, but the story itself has lots of similarities to 1959 film “Some Like It Hot” and 1990’s sitcoms. In short, this play could be described as a mingling of different vibes. What do all of these vibes share? Terribly cheesy jokes with sometimes subpar actors delivering them. Yet, somehow the subpar nature of their acting makes their performances quintessentially delightful .

I don’t want to give away the story for two reasons: 1). It’s worth a watch. 2). I don’t entirely know how to explain it, which means the screwball comedy did its job. The collective chaos and plot twists common in screwball comedies must be performed in such a specific way that is hard to describe or pinpoint, but you can just tell when it’s right or wrong. “Love, Sex, and the IRS” got it right.

Here is something I loved about tonight’s experience: the audience. Admittedly, it was an older crowd, and anyone who knows me knows that I think that’s the best kind of crowd. It’s not about the age, but about a commonality in older cultures that I think can be neglected by my generation: an openness to talking to strangers. Granted, we were literally told as kids to “never talk to strangers,” and our parents told us that to keep us safe as children. However, I think we forgot that when we grow up, we can talk to strangers now and smile and say hello. All of that to say, I made conversation with those around me and it was such a treat. I told them about how I love going to performances and started writing about it on my social media. Excited, one man said, “Are you going to talk about this show tonight? You should! We need younger people to come to this theater, we don’t want it to die with us!” I promised him I would.

During intermission, I started taking some notes on my phone and I heard him ask, “is the show going to get a good review.” I told him, “I think so.”

This show does deserve a good review, and it is a pleasure supporting community theatre. I’ll be back!