Woe to the theatergoer who attends this show in the hopes that it resembles anything close to “The Office” or “Office Space, ” wherein workplace absurdity is presented in all its lame-ass glory and you, the viewer, are left do the rest, i.e. fill in the comedy blanks. The creators of “Water Coolers”—a glorified cabaret act, really—are under the impression that audiences need to have their jokes explained to them. It’s a pandering mentality, and not one that will win many fans among those who are truly disgruntled in their cubicles. Something else that seems odd: the musical is cast with actors who put the “white” in white collar. So while in reality most companies have to worry about their EEOC compliance, it’s white, white, white, white world in “Water Coolers.” Weirdly enough, the show plays like a skit you’d see at a corporate morale-building retreat—except you’re expected to pay $45 for the privilege. There’s nothing funny about that. (Nina Metz)
