GULP! – Improv After Hours

GULP!

SHOW DATE: 5.17.12
WHERE AT:
Stage 773
1225 West Belmont Ave.

SUGGESTION: Band Wagon

For those of you that follow my blog, you know that I’ve already reviewed this team, but with the myriad of changes that GULP! implemented in the last 6 months, including a new coach (John Abbott) and pairing down their team members into the strongest cast and remounting their showcase show to a new location at Stage 773, the NEW GULP! is now much more fun and easier to swallow.

Simply put – they earned a second a review.

Bite by bite, this team created a show that ebbed and flowed from scene to scene with great transitions, split scenes and overall great team commitment and listening skills. Each moment was chewed on, but nothing was spit out – just held on to and characters were brought back again and again in a variety of situations to fill the audience with a constant reason to laugh. It was clear that this team has fun with this form and watching how they would transition from moment to moment was refreshing.

You can catch GULP!’s showcase show, Improv After Hours, every Thursday night at 10 pm at Stage 773 along with 2 other teams and a host (team or comedian) to keep the night flowing.

TEAM STRENGTHS:
• Great listening
• Committed characters
• Played hard & fast with seamless transitions

WHO CAUSED A SCENE FOR THIS SHOW: (this is where I give props to 1 team member for move(s) that made me giggle the hardest)   Tonight I give this award slot to Eddie Wolfe for his mysterious killer in the woods character who committed to not shutting his eyes each time he was on stage. So much so, that fellow team member Thomas Einstein calls it out by screaming “blink your eyes, it’s bad for you”.

KRISTI’S WISH LIST: (here’s where I tell the team what I’d love to see them try. Hey team, it’s just a suggestion, feel free to ignore)  This team has hit a stride and is fun to watch, but what tops my challenge to GULP! is to play a wider variety of characters (status, race, age, etc.) Remember in improv you have a whole world of people to try on – so get out of your comfort zones and play every one of them with the same conviction you already apply to your favorite type of characters.

TEAM MEMBERS:
• Lisa Marie Benton
• Thomas Einstein
• Amber Linde
• Jacob Welch
• Eddie Wolfe

FACEBOOK: GULP! Productions

CONTACT INFO: To book this team, contact (not spam)  312-623-6103 or Gulpproductions@gmail.com

Oh Theodora – a sketch review

Oh Theodora

SHOW DATE:
3.21.12

WHERE AT:
The Pub Theater
3220 North Lincoln Ave
located above Fizz Bar & Grill

The sketch team of Oh Theodora has tapped into slice of life moments and given them comedic twists to make their show simply enjoyable to watch. With their focused goal to create a well-rehearsed variety show of new material every month, Oh Theodora presented a fun addition to the variety show genera in Chicago with guest acts such as sketch team Carl’s Backyard, a short film from Scuba Mission and the music of Adam Zee (PS: I want this guy to sing me bedtime lullabies).

 
It’s immediately evident that these long time friends not only share a similar sense of humor, but their on-stage chemistry lit up the room, from their opening bits until the very end in each cleverly written sketch. A highlight for this evening was in the reading of the rejection letter they received from the Seattle sketch festival. In this letter they were given crazy sketch ideas to try out – and they did every one of them – from a poem about a tiger and duct tape to a single man becoming a whole school of fish. Let’s hope the footage of this segment lands them a spot at the next festival.

Want to see their next show? You can catch the hilarity of the sketch team, Oh, Theodora, at The Pub Theater, above Fizz Bar & Grill, 3rd Wednesday of every month. Be there at 8 p.m.

WHO CAUSED A SCENE FOR THIS SHOW: (this is where I give props to 1 team member for move(s) that made me giggle the hardest)  Trevor Martin was insanely funny in his portrayal of Bing Crosby, the basketball coach and was a crowd favorite sketch as well.

KRISTI’S WISH LIST: (here’s where I tell the team what I’d love to see them try. Hey team, it’s just a suggestion, feel free to ignore)  While all of Oh Theodora’s sketches are entertaining, what I missed most is a clearly defined through line or thematic tie that runs through the entire show. The more you can connect the material to each piece, the more “ah, ha!” moments will be achieved from your audience as they recognize the concepts.

TEAM MEMBERS:
• Lisa Dellagiarino
• Buck LePard
• Trevor Martin
• Conor Sullivan

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ohtheodora

CONTACT INFO: To book this team, contact (not spam)  ohtheodora@gmail.com

Microgroove

Microgroove

SHOW DATE: 4.7.12

WHERE AT:
Donny’s Skybox Theater
Second City
1608 N. Wells

SUGGESTION: 
John Mayer song – Love Song For No One

Microgroove began their show by asking for a volunteer in the audience to locate a song that has meaning to him or her on an iPod. The volunteer was brought on stage to talk about the chosen Love Song for No One by John Mayer. Through a series of questions by the team members, Microgroove generated a great deal of info about the volunteer, such as why she loved the song (in this case, she was tired of waiting for “the one”), about her dream date and what was her favorite thing to do on a first date, etc., – very reminiscent of The Dream form. Afterwards, the song was played and the team stood around and listened to it to take in the lyrics and finally began to dance (sorta).

From there, the team takes a fast flying leap into scene work that was rich in memorable characters and laced with all the fine details they gathered from the opening. Not one piece of information was dropped and the worlds they created began to circle back around and merge into one another. Thematically this show consisted of a lot of dating scenes, which is exactly the theme generated from the song. Some might say that hitting the exact suggestion this hard is a bad thing, but Microgrove’s playful nature kept the pacing of this show quick and fun to watch, even at such a late hour of the night.

Catch the FINAL Microgrove show (of this run) at Donny’s Skybox on April 14th, 11:30 p.m.

TEAM STRENGTHS:
• Excellent use of details generated from opening
• Memorable characters
• Great call-backs

WHO CAUSED A SCENE FOR THIS SHOW: (this is where I give props to 1 team member for move(s) that made me giggle the hardest)  Tonight, this honor goes to Nnamdi Ngwe for his reoccurring waiter character that can suck open a wine bottle. This physical action was heightened throughout the show, as we learned what else his character could suck open.

KRISTI’S WISH LIST: (here’s where I tell the team what I’d love to see them try. Hey team, it’s just a suggestion, feel free to ignore)  GROOVE!!! During the opening song make eye contact and begin a group dance instead of just standing in a semi-circle bopping up and down. As an improvisor I realize you were listening to the lyrics, as an audience member I needed to see some action and by the time you did start to dance it felt like it was a little too late and you weren’t in the “groove” together for an opening.

TEAM MEMBERS:
• Peter Corey
• Kate Carson-Groner
• Pat Ivansek
• Trevor Martin
• Meigan Morales
• Nnamdi Ngwe
• Becca Taubel

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/microgrooveimprov

CONTACT INFO: To book this team, contact (not spam)  microgrooveimprov@gmail.com

IMPROV auditions – GTT Improv Zoo

Are you an improvisor with some professional training (iO, Second City, Annoyance, UCB, theater major),
but want to gain more stage time and improve your personal style in a team environment? Then GTT Improv Zoo invites you to audition for Season 3.
We are looking to create 2 brand new improv teams
.

Auditions are being held at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee on either:

FRIDAY, March. 23rd from 1pm – 3pm
– or –
SATURDAY, March 24th from 11am – 2pm

To sign up for an audition slot today (they are filling up fast) – email your headshot + resume to kristi@gorillatango.com and your preference of day – either Friday or Saturday.

Each of the GTT Improv Zoo seasons last for a total of 12 weeks.
As a member of The GTT Improv Zoo Crew you will:
* Have weekly scheduled rehearsals
* Perform weekly in the GTT Improv Zoo “Uncaged” show
* Gain experience in front of a real audience
* Train with experienced coaches
* Experience ensemble team building
* Advancement of your personal improv skills

If cast, performers are required pay $240 for the entire season before March 30th. This amount covers weekly coaching, rehearsal space, marketing, etc. for the 12 weeks. This is less than other training centers charge for 8 weeks and saves the hassle of bringing cash to each rehearsal. Plus, you get to perform WEEKLY for the entire 12 weeks.

The teams created will either rehearse on Saturdays, from 12-2 or Tuesdays from 6-8. (Please make sure you are available to join one of those team rehearsal days for 12 weeks if you are cast).

Don’t delay – sign up for an audition slot today by emailing your headshot, resume & preferred audition day to kristi@gorillatango.com.

Improv Gladiators is looking for teams!

The Original Improv Gladiators
April 13th – May 12th

Want to be a part of an improv show that everyone in Chicago loves? Well now’s your chance as The Original Improv Gladiators is back at Corn again, warming you up with sizzling laughter and fiery competition!

Independent teams of 3+ can now sign up to compete in Season 16 at Cornservatory Theater, Fridays or Saturdays April 13th – May 12th at 8pm.

The stakes are high, the jokes are low-brow, and—when the smoke clears—only one team will be left standing. Will it be yours?

Corn Productions hosts this improvisational mêlée, so get ready to battle. In round one, teams perform a long-form improv set. They are then are evaluated and scored by judges from theater and improv companies all over Chicago including iO, ARFTCo, and Chemically Imbalanced Comedy as well as special celebrity guest judges. Audience response will also count for a percentage of scoring. In round two, teams will clash with the house pros—The Improv Gladiators (like me, Strawberry Shortform)—who will dive into the fray with a furious frenzy of improv skills to block the teams from scoring points in your favorite short-form games. Points are accumulated throughout the 4 weeks culminating in a Grand Finale in which with the two top scorers from each night collide in an epic battle. In the end, to the victor goes a free four-week run at Cornservatory. And—as always—Corn is BYOB.

Contact me ASAP to sign up or for more details.
kristimckayrocks@gmail.com

Sam Roos – Solo Show (unsolicited review)

Sam Roos – Solo Show
SHOW DATE: 2.4.12
WHERE AT: Dave & Frank show, Upstairs Gallery, 5212 N. Clark

I’m not in the habit of writing reviews unless specifically asked by a team for my opinion, but in this case I’m going to just spill my guts anyway. Last night my team, The Cockpits played their first show at the Upstairs Gallery with Dave & Frank and Sam Roos opened the night with his solo improv set. I have to say it was magical.

First of all, those of you who regularly wear make-em-up pants (AKA improv) know how scary it can sometimes be when you walk out to do a scene and no one on the team immediately joins you. This can cause a little bit of panic, especially if you are a newbie practitioner, so thoughts of doing an entire 20 minute set would make you squeal & squirm. However, the quiet confidence that oozed from Sam Roos last night was refreshing.

He started off the night by taking a chair and just chatting with the audience, asking a few questions and creating a trusting dialogue. Smart! This reassured the viewers that he wasn’t going to perform a pre-written piece. He then went on to create 3 lovely characters in a hospital by scene painting each of their locations with wonderful, specific details. The audience then witnessed how these characters lives would eventually collide.

One of the best things about this show was the patience that Sam played with. He took his time and savored every single minute in each scene. Nothing was rushed or over thought, just moment by moment that seemed to be inspired by the action that occurred only seconds before. This was so much fun to watch.

So Sam… Keep doing what you’re doing, it was wonderful. I especially loved your hospital boss who thought his ankles needed lipo. That made me giggle.

Eisbar

Eisbar

SHOW DATE: 1.3.11
WHERE AT: Studio BE
3110 North Sheffield Ave – $5

SUGGESTION: Can of peas

When is the last time you left the theater with this feeling that you’ve just watch one of the most amazing, emotionally charged scripted productions, full of vanguard artistry and thought provoking questions? Did that play also throw at you profound ideas that made you feel like a better person just for watching? That’s how I’ve felt both times I’ve seen Eisbar perform. But wait… this was an improv set! They made up every bit of what I just saw up on the spot? What the (fill in the blank)?!?!

Like an old married couple of 50 years, the two men of Eisbar appear completely in sync, often finishing each others sentences in a beautiful symphony of scene work that is both abstract and grounded. Starting off their set with what I believe to be a physical and vocal interpretive dance of ideas and often philosophical questions, these men then deconstruct the themes generated into patient, passionate worlds. Both heartwarming and disturbing at the same time, this team takes dramatic improv to ever increasing heights as the show progresses.

Their bold, fearless approach to their improv work is evident in the culmination of their show. The men step as close to their audience as possible, look them dead in the eye and again ask of them tough questions. This night was no exception as the audience was asked to raise their hand if they’ve ever been depressed. From there a “rant” of give-and-take is performed on this most serious subject that was made humorous by this teams deep commitment. So much so, that often times I was almost convinced that the ridiculous things they were saying were facts – and by watching one of the team members eyes fill with tears as he was trying to NOT break in front of us.

This team is a rare gem of patient commitment and character work and has quickly become one of my favorites to watch in Chicago. Make it a point to go check out Eisbar’s next show. I just might be there too!
Jan. 12 at 7:30 at Gorilla Tango Theatre – 1919 N. Milwaukee

TEAM STRENGTHS:
• Slow, dramatic builds to their scene work
• Emotional relationship driven scenes
• Full commitment to every character
• Complete support of each other

WHO CAUSED A SCENE FOR THIS SHOW: (this is where I give props to 1 team member for move(s) that made me giggle the hardest)  “Some people laugh to cover their pain and people are dieing all around us” say Jonny Nelson in the last scene – this makes the audience laugh harder, especially one loud man in back. Nelson then looks directly at that man and asks “Sir, what are you dieing of?”

KRISTI’S WISH LIST: (here’s where I tell the team what I’d love to see them try. Hey team, it’s just a suggestion, feel free to ignore)  I’ve loved every scene I’ve ever witness of this team – just keep doing what you’re doing and inviting me to your shows.

TEAM MEMBERS:
• Jonny Nelson
• Eli Weatherby

WEB ADDRESS: www.eisbarimprov.com

FACEBOOK: Like there here

CONTACT INFO: To book this team, contact (not spam) eisbarimprov@gmail.com

Ben Franklin Presents

Ben Franklin Presents

SHOW DATE: 12.19.11

WHERE AT:
Mullen’s on Clark
3527 N Clark St

SUGGESTION: 
Tim Tebow

Immediately you could tell the members of Ben Franklin Presents (BFP) are not only smart and witty, but also football fans as they rode their suggestion of Tim Tebow from every angle to make an enjoyable set – not just to the audience, but it was also apparent that this team is full of friends. Plus, it’s rare to see a team serve an entire opening of character monologues and almost every morsel of information is used during their set (this isn’t easy folks). But tonight BFP packed their show full of football, religion, horses, deep thinking and of course Jesus.

BFP knows how jump right into fun scenes with little to no hesitation. Some of the ones that stick out to me included the opening scene where a girl is being admired by an extremely creepy guy while she is trying to go over her notes, the two guys who discovered deep thoughts when upside down, the P.E. teacher trying to motivate his students, the Christian rock band that had no idea where their inspiration was coming from and the guys nailing the cross to the wall and Jesus speaks to them. Each of these scenes were smartly played and big laughs from the audience were present during the entire show.

You can catch one of BFP’s next performances at any of these locations:
Jan. 12 at 8:30 at Jerry’s Sandwiches – 1938 W Division St
Jan. 16 at 9pm at Mullen’s on Clark – 3527 N Clark St
Jan. 26 at 10pm at Upstairs Gallery – 5219 N. Clark St

TEAM STRENGTHS:
• Excellent Side Support
• Great use of info generated from opening
• Fun Characters

WHO CAUSED A SCENE FOR THIS SHOW: (this is where I give props to 1 team member for move(s) that made me giggle the hardest)  Tonight it was Nick Johnson’s character of Jesus when he exclaimed “nail harder” as his cross was being hung. His side support choice scored big points with this girl.

KRISTI’S WISH LIST: (here’s where I tell the team what I’d love to see them try. Hey team, it’s just a suggestion, feel free to ignore)  My biggest wish for BFP is to really look at your relationship work. As you will see in my description of your scenes above that I had no idea who you were to each other in most of the scenes. This could give all of the fun work you already do so much more depth and elevate your scenes with higher stakes.

TEAM MEMBERS:
• Sean Cooley
• Meghan Hillmeyer
• Nathan Hulne
• Nick Johnson
• Joey Lesiak
• Tim Ottolin
• Eli Weatherby

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/Ben-Franklin-Presents/223923134293133

TWITTER: @BenFranklinShow

CONTACT INFO: To book this team, contact (not spam)  BenFranklinPresents@googlegroups.com or seancooley@gmail.com

AUDITION – GTT Improv Zoo is looking to cast 50+ improvisors

While this blog is dedicated to independent improv reviews, I really wanted to share this exciting opportunity for improvisors who are looking to not only gain more team experience but to actually increase their visibility with MORE STAGE TIME (who doesn’t want that, right?) Here are some of the details. Feel free to pass this along to your own personal improv community too!

WHAT:
GTT Improv Zoo Team Auditions

WHEN:
December 17, starting at 11 AM

WHERE AT:
Gorilla Tango Theater
1919 N. Milwaukee, just steps from the Western Blue Line stop

THE BEST PART:
This season GTT Improv Zoo is taking a minimum of 50 players.

MORE INFO:
Gorilla Tango Theater is holding auditions for it’s GTT Improv Zoo (formerly known as The Ensemble Improv Program or EIP) and is looking for COMMITTED improvisors that want to not only improv their skills, but also want consistent stage time.

This season we will be casting a minimum of 50 improvisors from this audition.

Auditions are being held Dec. 17th at the Gorilla Tango Theater.

The GTT Improv Zoo is a unique improv experience that integrates new and old approaches to the study of improvisation in order to help foster the advancement of improvisation as an art-form plus allows each member to gain valuable experience with real stage time. No other seasonal program in Chicago gives you this much time in front of real audiences.

Each team member of the The GTT Improv Zoo Crew will be placed on a team that will rehearse weekly for 12 weeks in addition to performing 12 weeks in a FREE showcase – “Uncaged” on Tuesday nights at 9:00 PM

If cast, performers pay $240 for the entire term (which covers weekly coaching, rehearsal space, marketing, et al). Coaches of the GTT Improv Zoo have performed with Second City Touring Company, Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, The Annoyance, i.O. Chicago, ComedySportz and more.

To sign up for an audition slot today (they are filling up fast) – email your headshot and resume to kristi@gorillatango.com

GULP!

GULP!

SHOW DATE: 10.6.11
WHERE AT:
Jerry’s Sandwiches
1938 W. Division

SUGGESTION: Kitchen

What do mumble fish, a mom who has wanted to be a whore since she was 14 and the phrase “I’ll make your dinner in exchange for your first child” have in common? Not too much, yet these were the ingredients of the scenes last night that house team GULP! cooked up during their weekly spot at Jerry’s Improv Jam.

With the suggestion of kitchen, GULP! took the stage in three tiny vignettes to create a silent scene of men crying in a restaurant kitchen, only to be cut far too short to create any real, usable source scene content. Because the player’s pallets weren’t satisfied with enough tasty tid bits of information, this show did lack some seasoning that may have composed a fun set. (This is a valuable lesson kids – don’t rush your source scenes – they’re IMPORTANT).

Forget the fact that I had a hard time following this show thematically, there were still plenty of fun nibbles along the way that sparked laughter to make this piece as entertaining as finger food. I do, however, want to mention the sweetest thing that GULP! had going for them – their side support. While it may have been over done at times, the enthusiasm of this team to constantly chime in or jump on stage to be characters, furniture or animals without hesitation, shows that this show may not have been the best one to review. Plus, with some of the talented players that comprise GULP! – I’m sure this was just an off night.

You can catch GULP! every Thursday night at 8:30 pm at Jerry’s Improv Jam along with 4 other guest teams and for dessert there’s a improv jam session to top off the night.

TEAM STRENGTHS:
• Specific Details
• Team Support

WHO CAUSED A SCENE FOR THIS SHOW: (this is where I give props to 1 team member for move(s) that made me giggle the hardest)  Thomas Einstein for declaring “It’s a menagerie” during the group scene and for naming all the animals. This very playful, fun scene allowed everyone to jump aboard!

KRISTI’S WISH LIST: (here’s where I tell the team what I’d love to see them try. Hey team, it’s just a suggestion, feel free to ignore)  Please stop asking so many questions at the top of your scenes. This is a terrible habit to fall into – and too many of your players did just that. Try making declarations instead and you will gift yourself, the other players and you will ultimately enrich your scene work.

TEAM MEMBERS:
• Lisa Marie Benton
• Thomas Einstein
• Keegan Hill
• Keith Horvath
• Amber Linde
• Kelly Ludden
• Jacob Welch

FACEBOOK: GULP! Productions

COACH: Bethany Remely

CONTACT INFO: To book this team, contact (not spam)  jawelch1986@gmail.com