Senior Class brings night of fun with improv show
March 25, 2018
March 25, all the toilet paper rolls in the world disappeared because they were confused whether they should go under or over the toilet paper holder, as explained by Dr. Splish Splash. This was only one of many bizarre scenes that resulted from the Senior Class Improv Company’s improv show on-stage at Topeka Civic Theater.
Improv comedians ages 55 and older took to the stage to entertain the audience with scenes comprising quotidian scenes turned foreign by wacky audience suggestions. For example, two bakers, played by Phyllis Schaper and Reuby Melendez, had to play out a scene in which both had a terrible case of yeast infection. The twist to this was papers lying on the floor of the stage with line suggestions from the audience; one of the suggestions was, “Luke, I am your father.”
Another game featured the actors acting out the present, past and future of the same situation: two coworkers in a conflict about not getting a promotion because the other misused the copying machine. Another sketch involved charades. Some members from the troupe guessed which “were-” object (a werewolf version of an object or person) the other members were emulating using only gestures. Ever heard of a were-biker? were-IT-guy? a were-helicopter?
Musical games were interspersed throughout, featuring Skip Ellis on the keyboard. The actors had to dish out songs on the spot to common tunes like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” “Yankee Doodle,” “Jingle Bells” and other recognizable favorites. Members had to sell unconventional products with songs, products like ear wax or an anemic chihuahua.
Some games incorporated members of the Freshman Class Improv Company, who have a performance 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 at the TCT Oldfather Theater.
As it progressed, the show resembled the golden standard of improv comedy shows, “Whose Line is it Anyway?” The actors seemed like they were trying to emulate the raw energy of household names like Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie. Although the audience wasn’t large, the troupe drew quite a few laughs; the Senior Class Improv Company has attained their objective.