The Don't We Boys: Dangerous sketch comedy

Joe Anderson, Dave Lyzenga, and Matt Sterenberg are the kind of guys you want to hang out with. They’re quick wits, don’t take themselves too seriously, and despite their ambiguous ages, are strangely adorable. Attending a Don’t We Boys show is like an hour and a half play-date of sorts with the guys you wish you were best friends with. No matter what your age or gender, get ready to fall dysfunctionally in love.

The Don’t We Boys is a sketch comedy group based out of Grand Rapids (though not limited to it—the group has recently returned from a nation-wide tour). The comedy of Don’t We Boys is like a batch of cookies made from two cups variety show, one cup hipster Hardy Boys, 4,000 g of Vitamin C, and a pinch of Sesame Street. It’s like reading a Choose Your Own Adventure book straight through without skipping pages: inhumanly fast-paced and whimsical.

There are a few things that TDWB have definitely mastered:

1. They know who they are. Matt, Dave, and Joe (also known as the re-occuring characters of Don’t, We, and Boys) are almost uncomfortably comfortable with who they are. Each show features an over-arching adventure storyline starring the Don’t We Boys, detectives extraordinaire, who bring the show together with a cohesive theme of adventure and mystery. Each member of the trio plays numerous characters in sketches in between (including, at times, themselves).
2. Timing and Physicality. Comedy cannot survive without good timing, but with the combination of improvisational experience and a masterful light and sound technician, The Don’t We Boys are thriving. Each sketch, whether it’s 15 seconds or five minutes, is delivered with perfect comedic timing and physicality. Luckily, they have also learned to pause for laughter (which often overflows into their lightning-quick scene and costume changes).
3. Clean, Considerate Wit. The Don’t We Boys offer an impressive alternative to sexual, foul-mouthed humor, drawing their inspiration from current events, less-current events and even non-eventful circumstances that any audience can relate to.
4. Technology. The show is punctuated with short animation and videos, providing perfect pacing and variety to the show as a whole. The lights, sound and visual components were implemented without a hitch or hesitation, building a momentum and atmosphere perfectly in tune with their comedic style.

At the end of the show, it’s like parting with characters from an adventurous, endearing book with vibrant, yet sometimes trippy, illustrations.

Though you’ll want to follow them home, follow them on online at www.thedontweboys.com, as well as on Facebook.

Shows December 16th and 17th at Dog Story Theater 8 p.m. $10