Just 'cause I have a ton of dirt on me doesn't make me a monster,” says The Mess (playwright Brendan Hunt), the adult incarnation of Pig Pen from the Peanuts comics, who is now a homeless man, in Absolutely Filthy. His desire to be more than an “accumulation of [his] sins” drives the story of a reunion of the old gang after the demise of Charlie Brown (played by Scott Golden, credited as The Deceased — the characters are given abstract names for legal reasons). Hunt's exploration of the dysfunction of these familiar characters all grown up is darkly hilarious. Through a series of flashbacks, prompted by their arrivals at the church to pay their respects, The Mess' journey to his present state is revealed. While the cast is solid across the board, Hunt truly steals the show, and not just because he keeps his “cloud of dust,” a Hula Hoop, in constant motion the entire time he's onstage (a feat in itself!). His clever writing, comic timing and use of understatement to tremendous effect allow Hunt to weave sociopolitical commentary, gross-out humor and insightful observations into engaging and entertaining rants. Director Jeremy Aldridge deftly manages a massive cast, making great use of Stephanie Kerley Schwartz's set, itself an inventive homage to homelessness with its junk-themed design. Standouts in the cast include an out-of-the-closet Schroeder (Curt Bonnem as The Pop Star), hard-ass sports agent Lucy (Anna Douglas as The Big Sister) and recovering alcoholic judge Franklin (KJ Middlebrooks as His Honor). It seems that the Fools' late-night series Serial Killers, where this show originated, has once again yielded comedy gold.

Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Thu., Feb. 7, 8 p.m.; Thu., Feb. 14, 8 p.m.; Thu., Feb. 21, 8 p.m.; Sun., March 3, 7 p.m.; Thu., March 7, 8 p.m.; Fri., March 8, 8 p.m.; Sat., March 9, 8 p.m.; Sun., March 10, 7 p.m. Starts: Jan. 25. Continues through March 2, 2013

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