Things to do in Southern Maine, investigated personally and described by Shannon Bryan
(with only slight amounts of exaggeration, digression and references to ostraconophobia).
February 02, 2009
Running with Scissors: Highly improv-able
Local improv comedy group Running with Scissors (not to be confused with Augusten Burroughs' family of lunatics) brought some improv action to the Comedy Connection this weekend.
I've always considered improv the highest form of comedy.
Stand-ups have the luxury of an often well-practiced set of jokes (not that that really makes it any easier) and the only time the audience gets involved is when said comic decides to mock someone in it (not that there's anything wrong with that).
But improv is off-the-cuff, unplanned, dynamic.
It's like the difference between following a recipe and mixing five randomly selected items from your fridge in a pan and baking up the concoction.
Sure, with a recipe you know exactly what you're going to get. And who doesn't love a well-prepared green bean casserole?
But there's something thrilling about that random goulash. It could go either way: an evening of debilitating stomach cramps or you, rightfully accepting your place as America's Next Top Refrigerator Chef.
Running with Scissors improv relies on suggestions from the audience for each skit. You might be asked to supply a location (someone always yells "gay bar") or a personal issue (yes, yes, "Tourettes" is very original).
If you're brave enough to volunteer, you might get to guide the skit with your own injection of comic brilliance. Or at the very least, make funny noises as a "Jeopardy" buzzer.
But Running with Scissors improv isn't entirely blind comedy. They have the benefit of having some ridiculously funny people in charge.
Thus the result will always include some belly-shaking laughter. Or at least some chuckling, if you're one of those prudishly reserved people.
If you missed the improv this weekend, don't punish yourself (seriously, put down that stapler). You can catch a FREE Running with Scissors comedy event at Flask Lounge, Portland on Feb 18th at 8 pm.
Running with Scissors showcases the improvable comedy of
Rachel Flehinger [also of Acorn acting class fame] and Tuck Tucker and Dennis Hunt [also of C.I.A. improv fame]. Brent Askari [also of Mad Horse Productions fame] also sits in on occasion.
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OK....must admit that "Running with Scissors: Highly Improvable" sure caught my attention! After all, as a Mom, the thought of running with scissors sent chills up my spine. And the idea that there was a way to IMPROVE such a thing???? The only way I know to improve it is to not do it!!!
OK....I may be old, but I guess I have a few days left for senility to set it. No one (especially my own flesh and blood) is suggesting anyone IMPROVE the act...IMPROV is is order of the day! How cool is that! Now, my question is....WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO TRY THAT IMPROV THING AT RUNNING WITH SCISSORS???? My totally unbiased opinion is you could be a hit!!!!
Posted by SYNOFFebruary 8, 2009 10:59 AM