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Shakespeare on the Go
The Improvised Shakespeare Company spoof the Bard at the Hudson Guild Theatre
Photo: Improvised Shakespeare Company, via Flickr
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Comedy works best when it feels genuine. If the audience feels like the improvers don’t give a shit, why should they? The Improvised Shakespeare Company, on the other hand, go all out in their riffing of Mr. William Shakes, and it’s based out of their love for the Bard.
Tonight at the Hudson Guild Theatre, the Company—made up of Blaine Swen, Joe Burton, Jake Schneider, Andy Carey, Joey Bland, Lucas Peterson, Ric Walker, Nick Wagner, Steve Waltien, Ross Bryant, Rich Prouty, Thomas Middleditch, Greg Hess, Brendan Dowling, Martin Wilson, Joe Janes and Josh Logan (a long group, but deservedly mentioned)—will create a fully improvised Shakespeare-esque play based on an audience suggestion, complete with fake British accents and Elizabethan-style clothes. Because nothing is planned out or rehearsed, you never know what you’re going to get, other than something different every night.
Put it this way: They’re a heck of a lot funnier than O. That wasn’t a comedy? Well, they’re still pretty darn funny.
The Improvised Shakespeare Company formed in Chicago in 2005, and have since played all over the Windy Tour and have been going on tour since 2006, including appearances at the Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival and the prestigious Just for Laughs festival in Montreal. They were named Chicago’s best improv group by the Chicago Reader and the Chicago Examiner, and recently received a New York Nightlife Award for “Best Comedic Performance by a Group.” Add this to your collection: Encore votes you “Best Improv Group Based on the Works of a 16th Century English Playwright.” Very prestigious.
Although tickets are sold out for tonight’s 9:30 p.m. event, you can (and should) wait in line for last minute cancellations. More information can be found here.