Roots, the epic miniseries about an African man abducted and sold into slavery, made quite an impact on 1970s America. These days, the only roots most Phoenicians are concerned with are the dark ones encroaching on their bleached blond heads.
Hopefully, that will change when Dominique Johnson and Allison Reese present the multiracial sketch comedy show Roots 3 at National Comedy Theatre. Ten locals will skewer topics ranging from religion and politics to prison rape and the (unlikely and hilarious) idea that actor LeVar Burton would return for another Roots sequel as his Trekkie alter-ego Geordi La Forge.
No subject is sacred, says Johnson. “Our main goal is to make the audience laugh, and if one of our silly sketches makes a person think about a larger point, then fantastic. But we won't be hitting you over the head with a message.” Or a metal visor, we hope.
Sun., June 3, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., June 7, 7:30 p.m., 2012
