I used to stay away from improvisational theater when I was younger. I thought it was just a bunch of goofy people, doing silly things. I wanted to see “serious” stuff and well-written comedies.
Well, over the past ten years, I’ve been won over and I love it when it is done well. And “Lunch Lady Doris” is fine improv work done by an excellent group.
Improv’s growth in America can be traced to Chicago in the late ’50s, most notably Second City. It gave us some of the best comedians on Saturday Night Live. But there are many other groups that have their origins in the Windy City.
Philadelphia’s main improv group is Comedy Sportz. They perform on weekends at the Adrienne. Most of the group from “Lunch Lady Doris” earned their wings working with Comedy Sportz. For the Fringe, “Lunch Lady” is performing for the seventh consecutive year.
They are a fixture, destined to stay. And that is because it is as different from year to year as it is different from night to night.
On stage are well-trained actor/comedians. But they are more than that. They are problem solvers, quick thinkers. They move rapidly from one moment to another and keep the audience in stitches. Then, out of nowhere, someone will reconnect with an earlier theme. It makes me realize how smart you must be to be a member of this group. Although the situation changes, they require a discipline equally as great as the stage actor with lines.
But improv theater is not about being smart. It is about laughing. I had the good fortune last spring to see Colin Mochrie of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” performing in Bethlehem. He was a laugh riot, both for his physical as well as his verbal games.
“Lunch Lady Doris” will give you plenty of yuks. In addition, it’s very affordable. And if by chance you do miss them, they perform periodically at late night performances at the Adrienne.
Lunch Lady Doris, $10, times vary, 60 minutes, Pierre’s Costumes, www.livearts-fringe.org
AroundPhilly Staff
