REVIEW: The World is Burning So I Made Smores

It’s like déjà vu all over again—another Brave New Workshop production premiering right after a Trump inauguration. This time around, however, I found myself struggling even more to discern which “jokes” were made up and which were simply laughable statements of fact. And frankly, that’s a larger commentary on where we find ourselves today. We are living in a world where real-life headlines from outlets like The Star Tribune seem to read more like they’re straight out of The Onion, and that makes it increasingly difficult for satirical outlets to take an absurd news item and take it to the next level that will generate a laugh more hearty than a nervous chuckle.

While the political skits in this particular production lacked the usual comedic punch—often falling flat, since they’re based on true events—there were moments of brilliance when the Brave New Workshop cast ventured into topics outside of the political sphere. With clever takes on everything from AI and “trad wives” to Costco cult-like loyalty, the troupe found ample room to shine and generate laughs.

In the end, the Brave New Workshop’s true strength lies in its ability to find humor in the bizarre, the quirky, and the downright ridiculous aspects of everyday life. And with a roster of topics that included tech, culture, and social trends, the troupe delivered the kind of silly, absurd humor that fans like myself have come to love.

The World is Burning So I Made Smores is at the Dudly Riggs Theatre in Minneapolis through May 17, 2025.  Tickets start at about $50.