Improvisational comedy will light up Munster’s Theatre at the Center at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3. ComedySportz is all-ages entertainment with interactive elements that utilizes a referee who oversees “a hilarious battle of wits,” according to the troupe’s website.
“We’re going to have two teams of three players each, who are going to be facing off,” said Padraic Connelly, artistic director for ComedySportz Chicago. “At the end of each round the audience gets to vote through cheering and applause. It’s not comedy about sports; it’s comedy played as if it was a sport.”
Being funny scores points in the night of game-fueled, short-form improv.
The performers rely on the audience to supply ideas for skits and bits.
“Every section of the show, from beginning to end, is determined by audience participation and suggestions,” Connelly said. “That can be anything from the basic premise or location for one of the scenes, up to providing the actual dialogue the players are going to use throughout the entire scene.”
When ticket buyers call out, the onstage cast listens.
Input for melodic inclusions also is accepted.
“We have a music director who improvises right along with the performers,” Connelly, a Chicago resident, noted.
Keyboard handiwork can deliver impromptu music, “no matter what someone shouts out, whether it’s reggae, or jazz or death metal — any sort of music they call out,” according to Connelly.
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As scenes and songs are created on the spot, those attending the show can share the spotlight.
“Sometimes we even pull up audience members and we recreate special days or special moments from their lives, or do a musical based on the stories they have to tell,” Connelly, 37, related.
Since ComedySportz touts its production as “perfect for all ages,” there is a built-in safeguard that can be employed in the event that things go a bit off course.
“In our show we have a penalty that can be called on both performers and the audience for any inappropriate or offensive material,” Connelly noted.
Aside from the all-inclusive humor, the Feb. 3 show features a taco-bar dinner option that costs $17 for adults and $12 for children 12 and younger.
A cash bar also will be available on site.
The onstage officiating will be served up by Sean Sullivan, director of education for ComedySportz Chicago.
“As the referee, my job is to serve as the host of the show,” said Sullivan, noting the referee acts as “the lead point of contact to the audience, or the loyal fans, as we call them.”
Aside from calling fouls and being the arbiter of points, the referee has even more duties.
“It’s my job to communicate the rules of the game to the players and to the loyal fans — to take their suggestions and to kind of oversee the match,” the 32-year-old Chicago resident said.
“It is an exciting match between two teams; there’s all the elements of competition,” Sullivan said. “It is super funny.”
Striving to be the funniest, the two teams battle for a championship bauble.
“At the end of the match one team does win the trophy,” Sullivan said.
.
“We’ve been around since 1984 nationally, and in Chicago since 1987,” Sullivan said.
Some 30 cities have theater companies that produce ComedySportz. ComedySportz Chicago is based at CSz Theater Chicago at 929 W. Belmont Ave. in the Windy City.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
ComedySportz
Where: Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3
Tickets: Adults $20, students $10
Information: 219-836-3255; TheatreAtTheCenter.com
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