Flight of the Conchords’ Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie are starving artists—at least that’s how they’re portrayed in their HBO series. As struggling, digi-bongo, a cappella-folk-funk-rapping New Zealanders in New York, Clement and McKenzie share a single teacup until Bret goes on a spending spree, dropping $2.79 on a second one. This leads to gas, phone, electricity, and rent checks bouncing, forcing Jemaine to become a male prostitute (his only option since his résumé lacks marketable skills). Bret, meanwhile, disses all the rappers he can think of and forms a gang to protect himself from Missy Elliot “chopping his whole body off.” Between scenes, the Conchords burst into song parodies that are absurd but believable—odes to ’80s pop (“Fashion Is Danger”—shoutouts to Reagan, Thatcher, and Jazzercise), rap (“Hurt Feelings”—Bret sulks when a store clerk suggests he try a ladies’ wetsuit when he can’t fit into a man’s size), and reggae (“You Don’t Have to Prostitute”—Jemaine as a boy hooker/rent boy/bro ho).

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS PERFORMS WITH KIRSTEN SCHAAL AT DAR CONSTITUTION HALL, 311 18TH ST. NW. $37.50 (202) 628-1776.