Music & lyrics fill the stage for OKC Improv
Oklahoma City – The Sooner state has made a name for itself on Broadway thanks to stars like Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O'Hara, but this summer OKC Improv brings the thrill of live musicals home to metro audiences.
Six musical troupes will perform as part of the "Wet Hot Improv Summer" on Fridays and Saturdays from July 5 –July 26 at The Reduxion Theatre on Broadway, 914 North Broadway Ave. Unlike Broadway casts, these groups will perform without the benefit of learning lyrics or melodies ahead of time.
"Improvised comedy is exhilarating because performers create scenes and stories on the stage directly in front of the audience,” said Ben Davis of the Almost Broadway troupe. “Inventing lyrics and melody in addition to that is exhilarating and terrifying all at once."
The live, unscripted comedic musicals welcome audience suggestions. One group, Villain: The Musical, actually lets the audience select which cast member will be the villain that night.
“Audiences always have a great time with Villain because so much of their input goes into the creation of the show,” said founding member Cristela Carrizales. “Their suggestions help shape the villain and the location where the evil comes to life. The audience not only gives us the permission to be bad, they downright demand it with their silly, sexy and scary offers. Audiences love watching their ideas spring to life with the cast.”
Improv shows, many featuring musical groups, run every Friday and Saturday night July 11 – July 26 with a bonus show Saturday, July 5. Sitcom star Matt Jones of CBS' Mom (Also Badger on Breaking Bad) will perform an improvised musical Saturday, July 12 at 10:30 pm along with local performers as part of the OKC Improv Festival. Dave Hill of the Hulu Quick Draw series will also be a part of the July 11 and 12 festival performances
Tickets for all shows are $10. Audiences are encouraged to come at 7:30 p.m. for the early show and stay for the primetime show at 9:00 p.m. and the 10:30 p.m. late night show. Combo tickets are reduced to $15 and include all three shows. Tickets can be purchased online at www.okcimprov.com. At the door, tickets are buy one get one with a Keep It Local OK card, or a copy of a dining receipt the night of performances from Elemental Coffee, S&B Burger on 9thStreet, Po' Boys and Urban Roots. Shows may sell out, so advance ticket purchases are encouraged
OKC Improv is a community arts organization dedicated to building a thriving and sustaining improv scene by providing performance opportunities for area improvisers and by raising awareness and understanding of improv as an art form through outreach and education.
The Gayly – July 4, 2014 @ 11:30am