]]> http://www.improtheatre.com/first-photo/feed/ http://www.improtheatre.com/title-for-photos-ii/ http://www.improtheatre.com/title-for-photos-ii/#comments Sun, 09 Nov 2008 02:10:28 +0000 jo http://www.improtheatre.com/title-for-photos-ii/ http://www.improtheatre.com/title-for-photos-ii/feed/ http://www.improtheatre.com/sondheim-unscripted/ http://www.improtheatre.com/sondheim-unscripted/#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:15:39 +0000 jo http://www.improtheatre.com/sondheim-unscripted/ “An outstanding cast that clearly understands the form they are spoofing and have the vocal power to sustain it.”
— LA Weekly

It’s classic romantic comedy formula–Boy Meets Girl, Boy Falls for Girl, Boy Loses Girl, Boy Gets Girl–but it has its roots in the venerable tradition of BritLit icon Jane Austen, whose mere six novels continue to capture the modern imagination.

But imagine coming up with a full Austen-esque plot line, characters, witty repartee, and resolution in about 90 minutes? It’s no easy feat, but for ImproTheatre’s Unscripted Repertory performers (some pictured at right), it’s simply what’s on the bill tonight and tomorrow–the last two performances of a weekend run at the NoHo Actors Studio.

With improv, it’s of course made of the moment, and while last night’s hilarious performance is a thing of the past, it stands as a testament to the vast skills of the actors who fell deftly and quickly into roles on the spot. Working off an audience suggestion for a simple topic of conversation–in this case “flowers”–the troupe wove an elaborate melange of secret loves and sibling rivalries complete with Austenian touches such as mysterious letters arriving at the house, curious neighbors, dashing strangers, a parlor piano forte, and the ever-questionable suitability of suitors.

We met the Green sisters–ice queen Anne (Kari Coleman), demure Evelyn (Jo McGinley), and dimwitted Amanda (Michele Spears)–and the men who wished to woo them, including a bumbling horticulturalist (Stephen Kearin), an heir apparent (Dan O’Connor), a man of mystery (Brian Lohmann), and a con artist (Nick Massouh). Throw in a forgetful neighbor (Brian Jones) and his daft storytelling aunt (Lisa Fredrickson), a loving father (Floyd Van Buskirk), a manipulative upper-cruster (Tracy Burns) and a would-be Vicar (Paul Rogan) for good measure and you have a heap of lovelorn folk who make the most of a stroll about the grounds or an impromptu tea dance, all with clever takes on Austen’s flirtatious wordplay that often bends to be taken as witty wisdom. Highlights of the show included Fredrickson’s full-throttle commitment to the prune-faced and somewhat oversexed Lady Grey, Spears’ spastic skipping and mooning, Burns’ conniving, and the scene saves and quick wits of O’Connor, Kearin, and Jones. As the lights dim and rise from scene to scene you have to pinch yourself to remember that these talented actors are scripting the show as they go.

Of course, as often is the case in improv, it’s the flubs and goofs that get the most guffaws, and last night’s show was no exception. Mangled names and memory lapses became character traits and pulled the plotline towards punchlines, much to the audience’s delight. ImproTheatre’s gift lies in far more than improv’s expected one-liners and zingers–rather, their gift is the more subtle and complex art of storytelling in what’s known as Longform improv; the group has won great international acclaim for their takes on Shakespeare, Sondheim musicals, and Tennessee Williams’ drama. This is their first stab at Austen, and a worthy one at that. It is always a thrill to see talented performers (and you’ve probably seen these faces before on your tv or at the movies) dive headlong into the unknown and come up roses (or in last night’s case the vexing “pyrocampia” flower). Although Austen’s work is timeless, ImproTheatre’s Austen Unscripted is by its very nature of its time; Austen would be pleased, indeed.

Television acting credits include the upcoming pilot “Star and Stella,” “Seinfeld,” “Campus Ladies,” “Malcolm In the Middle,” “The Tonight Show,” and series regular roles on “The Newz,” and “Quick Witz” (for which he was also a producer).

Television directing credits include the critically acclaimed ABC hybrid sit-com “Sons and Daughters” and “Campus Ladies” for the Oxygen Network. He was a writer and the improv director for “The Wayne Brady Show.”

He was an adjunct professor for USC ‘s BFA program. He has taught at UT, DUKE, Pepperdine, UCLA extension and an improv companies around the world. He is a graduate of the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London and an executive board member of the International Theatresports Institute.

]]> http://www.improtheatre.com/122/feed/ http://www.improtheatre.com/videos/ http://www.improtheatre.com/videos/#comments Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:24:21 +0000 admin http://www.improtheatre.com/videos/ http://www.improtheatre.com/videos/feed/ http://www.improtheatre.com/sondheim1/ http://www.improtheatre.com/sondheim1/#comments Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:18:52 +0000 admin http://www.improtheatre.com/sondheim1/ Reviewed by Tom Provenzano
LA Weekly, 9/6/2007

Since Sondheim is impossibly intricate and long — long-form improvisation almost always falls flat — the ImproTheatre folk set themselves an exceedingly difficult task attempting to create a new, Sondheim-style musical every show — one in which they very nearly succeed on opening night. This suggests that refining their skills each week will make it even more compelling than this first outing. An outstanding cast clearly understand the form they are spoofing and have the vocal power to sustain it. Directors Dan O’Connor and Michele Spears prepped the cast extremely well in the kind of relationships required — in this case, three couples and a single man. One hopes in the future that one of the suggestions they ask for is a time period, lest every evening turn into a redux of Company, one of the composer’s few contemporary musicals. The night began brightly with a story of competition within an ad agency to please a very odd new client. Most impressive were Brian Jones and Spears, who invented wonderfully amusing duets as charming young colleagues discovering their love. The story began quickly but bogged down — indicating a need for some driving directorial influence. Also, they lack, of course, the ability to instantly invent the kind of elaborate rhyme schemes that define so much of Sondheim’s brilliance. Fortunately, however, they have a powerful ally in musical director-accompanist Allen Simpson, whose virtuosity in improv keyboard reminds us of the joyful music he composed for Fellowship! a few years ago.

Impro Theatre at THEATRE/THEATER, 5041 W. Pico Blvd., L.A.; Thurs., 8 p.m.; thru Oct. 11. (323) 401-6162 or www.improtheatre.com.

Jane Austen UnScripted

An Improvised Play in the Style of Jane Austen

photo by Jim Sabo

Passionate, willful women flirt and verbally joust with handsome, brooding young noblemen. Hearts are broken, secrets are revealed and true love wins out in the end. Or does it? The essence of Austen’s brilliant and timeless romantic comedies and social satires is brought faithfully to life by this expert team of funny and gifted actors.

Directed by Dan O’Connor and Paul Rogan.
Associate Director Brian Lohmann

(NB: Dashing, handsome young men not guaranteed)

“Austen would be pleased, indeed.”

-LAist

Video preview:

Jane Austen only wrote six novels in her lifetime, but they are some of the most beloved tales of love and misunderstanding, wit and wisdom, and passion and betrayal ever written. Now, for the first time in two centuries, Impro Theatre will deliver a new Jane Austen story every night. Passionate, willful women flirt and verbally joust with handsome, brooding young noblemen. Hearts are broken, secrets are revealed and true love wins out in the end. Or does it? The essence of Austen’s brilliant and timeless romantic comedies and social satires is brought faithfully to life by this expert team of funny and gifted actors, whose recent explorations of great literary figures include Shakespeare, Dickens, Sondheim, and Tennessee Williams.

When:
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
and Sundays at 7pm

Opens Friday October 10 8pm
Runs thru Sunday December 21st
(no shows Thanksgiving Weekend)

Where:

Theatre Asylum

6320 Santa Monica Blvd.
LA, CA. 90038
A block west of Vine St.
Cross Street Lillian

Tickets: $20 Call (323) 960-7753 or online at www.plays411.com

Press Contact-Dan O’Connor 323.363.2333

Produced by Impro Theatre and CAFE Arts in association with Paul Rogan

Cast:
Tracy Burns (World Cup Comedy), Kari Coleman (Without a Trace), Brian Jones (Campus Ladies, Las Vegas), Brian Lohmann (American Body Shop, Lifegame),Lisa Fredrickson (Desperate Housewives), Stephen Kearin (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Nick Massouh (Gilmore Girls), Jo McGinley (ER), Dan O’Connor (World Cup Comedy, Little Britain), Edi Patterson (The Showbiz Show With David Spade, Groundlings Main Co.), Michele Spears (Malcolm in the Middle), Paul Rogan (My Name is Earl) and Floyd Van Buskirk (Reno 911).

Special Guests: Lauren Lewis, Jennifer Riege, Carla Rosati & Mollie Taxe

……………………..Jane Austen UnScripted Review from LAist……………………..

It’s classic romantic comedy formula–Boy Meets Girl, Boy Falls for Girl, Boy Loses Girl, Boy Gets Girl–but it has its roots in the venerable tradition of BritLit icon Jane Austen, whose mere six novels continue to capture the modern imagination.

But imagine coming up with a full Austen-esque plot line, characters, witty repartee, and resolution in about 90 minutes? It’s no easy feat, but for ImproTheatre’s Unscripted Repertory performers (some pictured at right), it’s simply what’s on the bill tonight and tomorrow–the last two performances of a weekend run at the NoHo Actors Studio.

With improv, it’s of course made of the moment, and while last night’s hilarious performance is a thing of the past, it stands as a testament to the vast skills of the actors who fell deftly and quickly into roles on the spot. Working off an audience suggestion for a simple topic of conversation–in this case “flowers”–the troupe wove an elaborate melange of secret loves and sibling rivalries complete with Austenian touches such as mysterious letters arriving at the house, curious neighbors, dashing strangers, a parlor piano forte, and the ever-questionable suitability of suitors.

We met the Green sisters–ice queen Anne (Kari Coleman), demure Evelyn (Jo McGinley), and dimwitted Amanda (Michele Spears)–and the men who wished to woo them, including a bumbling horticulturalist (Stephen Kearin), an heir apparent (Dan O’Connor), a man of mystery (Brian Lohmann), and a con artist (Nick Massouh). Throw in a forgetful neighbor (Brian Jones) and his daft storytelling aunt (Lisa Fredrickson), a loving father (Floyd Van Buskirk), a manipulative upper-cruster (Tracy Burns) and a would-be Vicar (Paul Rogan) for good measure and you have a heap of lovelorn folk who make the most of a stroll about the grounds or an impromptu tea dance, all with clever takes on Austen’s flirtatious wordplay that often bends to be taken as witty wisdom. Highlights of the show included Fredrickson’s full-throttle commitment to the prune-faced and somewhat oversexed Lady Grey, Spears’ spastic skipping and mooning, Burns’ conniving, and the scene saves and quick wits of O’Connor, Kearin, and Jones. As the lights dim and rise from scene to scene you have to pinch yourself to remember that these talented actors are scripting the show as they go.

Of course, as often is the case in improv, it’s the flubs and goofs that get the most guffaws, and last night’s show was no exception. Mangled names and memory lapses became character traits and pulled the plotline towards punchlines, much to the audience’s delight. ImproTheatre’s gift lies in far more than improv’s expected one-liners and zingers–rather, their gift is the more subtle and complex art of storytelling in what’s known as Longform improv; the group has won great international acclaim for their takes on Shakespeare, Sondheim musicals, and Tennessee Williams’ drama. This is their first stab at Austen, and a worthy one at that. It is always a thrill to see talented performers (and you’ve probably seen these faces before on your tv or at the movies) dive headlong into the unknown and come up roses (or in last night’s case the vexing “pyrocampia” flower). Although Austen’s work is timeless, ImproTheatre’s Austen Unscripted is by its very nature of its time; Austen would be pleased, indeed.

By Lindsay William-Ross in Arts & Events LAist

For tickets to Jane Austen Unscripted visit Plays411

Show	Date	Day	Time	Cost	Location	Get Tickets
Unscripted Repertory Company	Main Company
Jane Austen	11/21/08	Fri	8:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Jane Austen	11/22/08	Sat	8:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Jane Austen	11/23/08	Sun	7:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Jane Austen	12/5/08	Fri	8:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Jane Austen	12/6/08	Sat	8:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Jane Austen	12/7/08	Sun	7:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Jane Austen	12/12/08	Fri	8:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Jane Austen	12/13/08	Sat	8:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Jane Austen	12/14/08	Sun	7:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Jane Austen	12/19/08	Fri	8:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Jane Austen	12/20/08	Sat	8:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Jane Austen	12/21/08	Sun	7:00pm	$20	Theatre Asylum	Contact Theatre Asylum
Unscripted Plays and Films	Student Company
Beat Unscripted	12/6/08	Sat	8pm	$10	Impro Theatre
Improvised Shorts	1/31/09	Sat	8:00pm	$10	Impro Theatre
Disaster	2/28/09	Sat	8:00pm	$10	Impro Theatre
Disaster	3/7/09	Sat	8:00pm	$10	Impro Theatre

When: Saturday, January 10, 2009, 8pm, $10

What: Join us for an evening of improvised mayhem, all based on audience suggestion. Starring: Jim Babcock, Marianne Bennett, Stephanie Clayton, Jack Jernigan, Jessica Jimenez, Jason Murphy, Gary Rae and Jennifer Riege.

Where: At the Impro Theatre Workspace

Click below for tickets and show times:

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