Alanah Parkin’s Garage Sale

“Alanah Parkin’s Garage Sale” sees sketch comedian Alanah Parkin inhabit a series of characters united by their presence at, you guessed it, a suburban garage sale. This includes aging married couple Denise and Greg, whose attempt to downsize sets off a series of events that culminate in revelations of dark magic, an appearance on the evening news, and a confrontation with a 1990’s pop icon. 

Parkin’s character-work is immensely skillful. Each character is incredibly distinct, and invariably hilarious. The numerous off-stage costume changes throughout this show are blanketed by pre-recorded dialogue and informational VCR tapes, all of which are brilliant in their own right and keep the jokes flowing. There’s an artistry to retaining audience attention when you’re not physically on stage, and Parkin nails it.  

It also definitely helps that the set is funny. The devil’s in the details here, and throughout the show I kept noticing new things (labels on boxes, particular items, the way the price of a pair of shoes was written on the toe of the shoe in sharpie) that made me chuckle. 

“Garage Sale” is entirely silly. Completely ridiculous, unhinged, and absurd, and also completely brilliant.