Wood: Comedy troupe Einstein Simplified acts more surreal than simplistic

Frank Murphy, center, presents 'opera singer' Roy De La Rosa as Dave Snow watches in the background.

Einstein Simplified plays "185"

Gathering around with ideas and beer, the members of Einstein Simplified (plus two) include, from left, Greg Huff, some guy named Therin (not in the group), Paul Simmons, Brad Bumgardner, some gal named Dale (not in the group), Roy De La Rosa, Dave Snow, Frank Murphy and Dave Fennell.

Frank Murphy, center, presents 'opera singer' Roy De La Rosa as Dave Snow watches in the background.

Einstein Simplified plays 'freeze tag'

The popularity of the Einstein Simplified abounds in Knoxville.

You or your friends likely have caught one of their Tuesday night shows at Patrick Sullivan's. If you bring up their name in a large crowd, someone's bound to speak favorably. Their audience members act like true fanatics, knowing every intricacy of the performance and every participant (even though it seems the members may not know them).

And with their founder, Paul Simmons, working a day job as a software engineer (typically not the type of person known for relentless humorous wit), it's even possible that Einstein Simplified members work among you.

But if you're hesitant to head to the Old City to see a free improv-comedy show, questioning the quality of Knoxville culture, you'll want to think again.

Einstein Simplified, which consists of eight male members, perform short-form improv comedy. Put in more recognizable terms, they do the same kind of show that "Whose Line is it Anyway?" used to be - everything's made up on the spot and centered on various games. An emcee hosts the event, maintaining its relative sanity and administering a good 10-20 games. He prompts the crowd for nouns, verbs, characters or anything else that can be incorporated.

Think of it as Mad Libs acted out.

Given that each show is essentially made up on the spot and also subject to audience demands (to a certain extent), the potential for an event like this to be a train wreck is enormous, which is why it's astounding how well Einstein pulls it off.

The group's humor doesn't fit any particular genre. Most of it is surreal or absurd. There's still some classic sexual humor. Yet even their intentionally stupid puns are delivered with such a punch you can't help but laugh. So even when you think they may trip up, the delivery smacks you in the face.

The weekly show takes place in the upstairs areas at Patrick Sullivan's, where there's a stage, several tables, a piano, a small bar and a fake fireplace, making it feel like the members of Einstein Simplified are hilariously obnoxious party guests creating a scene in your living room.

The troupe has been performing in Knoxville for the past 15 years (since 1994) even though the sign bearing their logo at Sullivan's boasts they've been around for 12 years. "We need to get that changed," says member Frank Murphy. It's hilarious in and of itself that the troupe's own sign is incorrect and yet they just go with it until questioned.

Some of the games are familiar, stemming from "Whose Line is it Anyway." For example, the guys recently performed a game where two members go head to head and have to act out a scene only by asking each other questions. If someone speaks in a sentence that isn't a question, they step out and a new member rotates in.

Most of the games involve guessing, where one or more members are asked to leave the room as the audience gives stipulations for the remaining performers. For example, one game involved a member as a king and three other performers came to see the king to ask for favors designated by the crowd. As the guessing member gets closer to the right answer, the audience snaps their fingers as a hint.

It's unlike anything else in Knoxville, and it takes place regularly at one of the most familiar bars for avid nightlife-goers.

Clocking in at just over an hour and a half, the show isn't long enough. Unlike many facets of Knoxville performances, you'll find yourself disappointed when the show ends, hoping they'll play at least one more game. But even when it ends, you're still lucky enough to hear the theme song in which the members proudly sing how they are, in fact, funnier than you.

Einstein Simplified performs Tuesday nights at Patrick Sullivan's at 8:30 for the recession-friendly price of free (although tips are welcomed).

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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