Jason A. Heidemann
CLEARLY CANADIAN Impromptu Splendor! offers north of the border laughter.
When it comes to improvised theater, Chicagoans become New Yorkers: a tough bunch to impress. The 12th annual Chicago Improv Festival might do just that. From Monday 13–April 19, the fest takes place at the Lakeshore Theater and other venues all over town. This year’s theme, “One World, Many Laughs,” has translated into a diverse lineup. Here are a few visiting troupes we think will satisfy even the most jaded.
Boom Chicago Alumni
In 1993, when a group of improvisers ditched Chicago to set up shop in Amsterdam, we figured they were looking for an excuse to hang out in hash bars (not that we’re arguing). A couple of years later, we followed them out there and discovered the endeavor was totally legit. More than 15 years since their move, these expats still deliver spot-on Second City–style satirical revues mixed with improvised segments. Former ensemble members include Ike Barinholtz and Jordan Peele of MADtv (also performing this week), Tami Sagher (30 Rock scribe) and Seth Meyers (SNL). Lakeshore Theater, April 17, 10:30pm.
4Track
Fast, energetic and totally at the top of their game, 4Track’s four improvisers (George Basil, Frank Campanella, Christian Capozzoli and Matt Evans) have rapidly developed a cult following in their hometown of New York. These guys take a single audience suggestion and turn it into comic gold, weaving together high-energy scenes that showcase bold and unusual characters and then neatly tying it all together in the end. They were among our favorites at last year’s fest. Second City Skybox, April 18, 10pm.
Frangela
Real-life besties and former Chicagoans Angela V. Shelton and Frances Callier (also a CIF cofounder) meld into this singularly funny duo. Based in L.A., these pop-culture pundits—or, as NPR once labeled them, “comic translators of current events”—can regularly be found yukking it up on their radio show, The Week According to Frangela, where they dish on relationships, vegetarianism, the War on Terror and race tensions, among other topics. You and your own best friend’s inspired ramblings aren’t half as funny as theirs. Trust us. Lakeshore Theater, April 17, 7:30pm.
Oui Be Negroes
San Francisco–based improv and sketch-comedy troupe Oui Be Negroes returns to the city where it originated 15 years ago. Founder Shaun Landry, a native South Sider, along with token white boy Hans Summers (their words, not ours), developed social-political satire based on the black experience. They continue to craft smart, edgy, even angry improv and sketch that pokes fun at race relations in America (we’re guessing they’re having a field day with Obama-mania). Lakeshore Theater, April 17, 10:30pm.
Impromptu Splendor!
Canada has spawned an impressive batch of improvisers—Dan Aykroyd, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short and the Toronto-based troupe Impromptu Splendor! Its premise is simple: With an audience suggestion to get started, each show is based on the style of a single playwright (Mamet, Ibsen or Williams, for example). Unlike Improvised Shakespeare Company (a local favorite of ours), this group manages to nail not one but many distinctive styles and does so with aplomb. It performs with the legendary Joe Flaherty of SCTV. Second City Skybox, April 18, 7pm.
The 313
Originally from Detroit (313 is Motor City’s area code), this sextet of talent gathers together some of the funniest improvisers alive, including Keegan-Michael Kay, Larry Joe Campbell, Josh and Nyima Funk, Andy Cobb and Marc Evan Jackson, several of whom were the driving forces behind some of the Second City e.t.c.’s best recent shows (Holy War, Batman!, Curious George Goes to War). Together again in L.A., the group delivers tight-knit, razor-sharp improv. Lakeshore Theater, April 18, 7:30pm.
The Chicago Improv Festival kicks off its gut-busting week Monday 13.
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