Some of the best shows I’ve seen I’ve walked into blindly – not knowing much, if anything, about the story, not having read reviews, not hearing about it from friends who had already seen it. I know people who decidedly prefer ignorance about movies or plays before they go because they enjoy the element of surprise.
That’s part of the draw of improvisational comedy as performed and propagated by Milwaukee-based ComedySportz and practiced regularly by such stalwarts in the local comedy community as Meanwhile Improv Troupe, The Midnight Show, Homegrown Electric Circus, Fish Sticks Comedy, Organized Chaos, Worst Case Scenario, Talking Points and Running With.
“Whose Line is It Anyway?!” popularized improv nationally and made superstars out of such cast members as Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, who are performing Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Pabst Theater.
This week, Milwaukee’s impromptu song-and-dance comedy makes its monthly appearance. The December performance by The Improvised Musical (T.I.M.) paid homage to homeless people through a musical about two spoiled rich kids wanting to put poor people in their place. The one-hour show, featuring the musical trio The Improvised Band, was suggested by the audience with the title “Jingle Balls.”
What’s the next improvised musical about? No one knows. But we do know when, where and how much: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, at ComedySportz, 420 S. 1st. St., $5 cash at the door. Reserve seats at (414) 272-8888.