Improv Comedy and Shadow Play

There is something magical about a family reunion. The bringing together of different generations has a powerful affect on all. It becomes something brand new. The knowledge, experience, and wisdom of the old is combined with the freshness, creativity, and daring of the young.

One of the oldest forms of theater, stretching back to the Han Dynasty, was invented to soothe the pain of Emperor Wu. He was so saddened by the death of one of his concubines that he ordered his court officers to bring her back to life. So with creative manipulation of leather, paint and a well-placed oil lamp they brought her back in shadows. Since then Shadow Puppetry has spread to all corners of the world and crossed all cultures.

Improvised theater, although very old as well, has grown and changed over the years. One recent push began in the early 1960’s with the opening of Second City in Chicago. The surge of famous comedians from both Second City and Saturday Night Live has seen Improv Theater get a whole new life. The popularity of shows like Whose Line is it Anyway has given America a love affair with Improv.

Like the family reunion PCC Theater has brought the magic of old and new theater together. Thursday April 15th the sparse, diverse and excited crowd braved the rain to witness the opening night of “Improv Comedy and Shadow Play.” The 13-member cast had the audience laughing from the start.

The show started out a bit shaky, as the cast appeared to have some nerves acting on them. They soon became more comfortable with their roles, and the show began to have smoothness and flow to it. This was thanks in large part to the wonderful Emcee, Bradley Pierce. He had a quick dry wit that kept the cast members on cue and focused, and the audience involved.

Improv although done on the fly, and out of the blue still requires great practice and study. Any former Improv performer knows the long hours put in before even stepping on stage. The more those involved understand each other and their differing styles the better the chemistry and flow on stage. The best sections of the show were the twisted fairytales done in the Shadow Puppetry, format. Those behind and in front of the large sheet stretched across the stage were right on the money.

The standouts of the night were by far two of the ladies, Rebecca Herrera and Marialuisa Burgos. They both had good comic timing and interesting styles that fit well with the show. The highlight of the whole evening was the young shinning star Andy Harrington. His talent was bursting out anytime he stepped on stage. He will go far.

You can see two more performances of the show Friday April 16th and Saturday April 17th both at 7:30pm. In Hoag Theater, at the Davis Academic Building on the PCC campus. Admission is $7, and $5 for students.

-John M. Valdez, Reviewer
PPAG