To See or Not to See: Oh, Hello on Broadway

Oh, Hello on Broadway is a gut-busting comedy that is not typical theater fare. Looking around the audience, you’ll see it is a rare one for Broadway: younger and predominantly male. Not only has Oh, Hello on Broadway brought its legions of Oh, Hello! fans to the theater, but they have also created a show tailored to them.

Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, two wonderful comedians, have perfected the sometimes despicable, always outspoken, elderly, New York City Upper West Side-residents Gil Faizon and George St. Geegland over the years. From Kroll and Mulaney’s comedy club days to a recurring sketch on The Kroll Show, Gil and George were known before they hit Broadway. For the uninitiated, though, the characters’s back stories may be a bit lacking. Luckily, the abundance of New York City-centric material ensures that there are enough non-insider-y jokes in the show to appeal to a wider audience.

George St. Geegland (Mulaney) has written a play for Broadway. His friend and roommate, Gil Faizon (Kroll), happens to be an actor. So, George and Gil star in said show…which is loosely based on their lives, naturally. While poking fun at theater–using dramatic pauses, mood-enhancing music, and even a modern dance number–they act with their typical cantankerous charm. George and Gil share stories from each decade of their lives, make explicit and raunchy jokes, they run into apartment trouble, fight with each other, and, of course, prank a special celebrity guest with “Too Much Tuna” on their public access television show (the guest at my show happened to be Conan O’Brian who hilariously and winningly played along).

As Gil and George, Kroll and Mulaney are quick-witted and have great chemistry. Their facial expressions, the way they hold their bodies, and their wacky word pronounciations (“Brud-way”) all meld together seamlessly. Additionally, their improvisation with their celebrity guest is easy and natural. Keeping the show at a brisk pace, when the lights comes up, you’ll find yourself wanting Kroll and Mulaney to bring George and Gil back to the stage with a sequel.

Oh, Hello on Broadway is playing at the Lyceum Theater until January 8, 2017.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus