‘Comic Sutra’ Delivers Left Hooks, Ironic Jabs

Frustrated liberals, take heart. In an era when political ideologies seem to be sliding inexorably toward the center, Roy Zimmerman unabashedly champions the left in his brief and breezy solo turn, “Comic Sutra,” at LunaPark.

Ably abetted by percussionist Jef Bek, Zimmerman is a mellow vocalist who accompanies himself on guitar. Best known as the founder of the satirical folk quartet the Foremen, Zimmerman is clean-cut, deceptively youthful, almost collegiate in appearance. However, he apparently has kicked around long enough to concoct a mature disgust for what he perceives as the inequities of a system that has callously disenfranchised the poor.

But don’t expect the heavy hand of didacticism to obtrude upon Zimmerman’s set. Whether he’s jabbing fun at the youthful penchant for self-mutilation (“Let’s Get Branded”) or bemoaning the passing of a more idealistic era (“Psychedelic Relic”), Zimmerman displays a lacerating wit and keen awareness of society’s foibles that bring to mind a latter-day Tom Lehrer. “Punish the People,” which examines the knee-jerk disgust of the affluent toward the homeless, has a jingle-like hummability that makes its serious social message all the more ironic.

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* “Comic Sutra,” LunaPark, 665 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood. Fridays, 8 p.m. Ends Jan. 30. $8. (310) 652-0611. Running time: 1 hour, 15 minutes.