There’s no denying that Jenn Dodd is a gifted comedienne with a knack for impressions, but not all of her misfit characters in Melanchomedy are polished to a quirky sheen yet. That’s not to say they aren’t funny—in fact, I dare you to watch Dodd’s show and not at least giggle at each of these miserable losers. For that’s who Dodd has focused on: sad sacks ranging from a suicidal clown to a blubbering SMU sorority girl, enlarging the weird in order to focus on the mundane irritations we all know too well.
With lightning-quick wig and costume changes, Dodd shows off her range (and regional accents). Video bits edited by Sharon Jamilkowski and title cards announcing the name, age, and issues of the upcoming target also help keep things straight. It’s the actual jokes that sometimes don’t land, though not for lack of trying. Dodd was a Best of Loop winner last year for her No Show, so perhaps we’ll spot these sad, funny folks onstage again after some rewrites.