Pink Banana's Hit-and-Miss 'End of the World'

This year, Pink Banana Theatre's annual program of one-acts tackles the end of the world. As it turns out, the end of all things is a mixed experience.<br /><br />Some bad sketch comedy opens Pink Banana's "One-Acts 2012: The End of the World," as part of a slightly lame end-of-the-world quiz-show format. Michael Traynor does his best to elevate cheap comedy as a slick, genuinely funny game-show host.<br /><br />Traynor is later rewarded for his effort in the role of Jesus Christ in one of the show's best sketches, Andrew Rosdail's clever <em>So Jesus Christ Walks into a Bar...</em>. Part metaphysical drama, part cheap joke, the short ends predictably. Before it does so, however, it moves through some very haunting moments. It's Judgment Day. Gemma Fitzsimmons dazzles as a moody bar owner gazing off into the world's end just offstage. She and a friend (played by Katie Merriman) begin the show wearing paper bags over their heads.<br /><br />Rosdail's one-act and a short written by actor Clayton Hamburg are the highlights of the show&mdash;and well worth the price of admission in and of themselves. Hamburg's <em>Cleanup on Aisle Six</em> is a refreshing, surreal piece. Samantha Martinson and Tim Palacek play employees in a grocery store at the end of the world. It's cute, and also pleasantly disturbing in places.<br /><br />Not every short is apocalyptic. Liz Faraglia plays a very sweet child who can't sleep in a touching drama opposite Mark Neufang. The program ends with the beginning of life all over again as Allie Beckman and Harold Loeffler-Bell play simple life forms about to evolve in a characteristically funny piece by Rich Orloff.<br /><br />Pink Banana's "One-Acts 2012: The End of the World" runs through June 9 at Next Act Theatre's space at 255 S. Water St. For ticket reservations, visit <a href="http://Brownpapertickets.com/event/244846" target="_blank">Brownpapertickets.com/event/244846</a>