HAMTRAMCK, Mich.– The history of Detroit lends itself to a few laughs, especially if the one doing the writing has an edgy sense of humor. And writers of The Detroit Musical, Mikey Brown and Shawn Handlon, definitely do. The show, which is the kickoff production for Planet Ant’s new space here, is a yucks-fest.

The play, a series of sketches, is stitched together around the history of the LaMerde family, starting in 1701 and coming right up to recent events. The sketches are a combination of comedy and songs, and some are utterly hilarious to Detroit insiders. One such scene about the town of Livonia and the white flight to the suburb after the Detroit riots was razor sharp; then the refusal of real estate agents at that time to even show houses to people of color. Another sketch, non singing, an exchange between a white man and an African-American woman post the Lincoln assassination–“You’ll never have to worry about racism again.” Uh huh. Ouch.

The LaMerde family is tracked through 316 years and there was, it seems, a LaMerde at every turn of history: The French surrender, The Detroit Fire, the birth of the auto industry and the trading of Detroit Lions QB legend Bobby Lane to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s all abut the D.

Sketch comedy either lands or it doesn’t. There’s no in between. And the Brown-Handlon script and music hits on every level. The material is terribly smart, funny and never has a lull. I love the drop-ins, too, like the start of Vernor’s, Stroh’s and Oscar Meyer.

The troupe features Stephanie Bainter, Rj Cach, Chris Korte, Paris Mason and Dez Walker. The five work so well together, and the sketches so numerous, it’s tough to single them out for individual performances. But the chemistry between Walker and Mason, playing the African-American characters, do stand out. They tackle their numerous roles with great wit and balance, critical so that the nose tweaking and elbowing of Southeast Michigan’s history of race relations stays grounded in the humor. There are also some short video pieces that are integrated into the show.

Co-writer Handlon directs this production, which is derived from a show: Detroit be Damned: A Beaver’s Tale, which premiered at Planet Ant in 2010.

Planet Ant now occupies a new space, a renovated building now called Ant Hall. It seats 150 ,versus the intimate 40-seat+ space, which remains across the street, and is used for classes, rehearsals and other activities.

It is a mighty fine start to a new era at The Ant.