By Jennifer Mustoe and Hannah Mustoe
ImprovBroadway in Provo, Utah has it all, and is taking it to cyberspace to get the word out everywhere. ImprovBroadway has been creating thousands of laughs from appreciative and highly entertained audiences at their storefront for some time, but now–they’re filming their hilarious brand of clean comedy for the next four Thursdays at the VidAngel Theater on Provo’s Center St at A Night at the ImprovBroadway. The end result is a TV Pilot special that will be aired–somewhere great–as a promotional tool for the brand and a fundraising tool to keep this party rolling.
The event we attended last night had two shows: one at 7:00 PM and one at 9:30 PM. I had first thought to only attend the earlier show, but had way too much fun and decided to go to both shows. Each bit, or game, in the program is short, and for the purpose of the upcoming video, they’re perfect. They are easily edited and the funniest bits will end up the final product. How they’ll decide which are the funniest I have no idea, though, because the crowd was howling the whole time. And in seeing two shows, no game was repeated. Each one involves the four improvisors: Sam Wright, Samuel Forsey, Adam Broud, and owner/founder/director Zach Atherton, with Gabe Ericson (co-director at IB) as emcee. These funsters are backed by a talented and comedic band: Alex Arnold on the keys, Chris Morgan on Bass, Grant Taylor on drums (subbing for Jake Smith) and Joseph Facer on guitar. And because this is improv, the ideas or topics used for each game come from the audience. Though the improvisers are very conversant and comfortable with the games’ rules, all the information is new and different every time.
These five men work as a unit, and the synergy, trust, and cohesiveness is impressive. And hilarious. I keep saying how funny they are. And will keep saying it. Their format as a whole and the individuals in the group are marvelously funny. Hannah and I (and my son Caden Mustoe, who attended the second show) talked and talked afterwards about how much seemingly effortless teamwork happened right in front of our eyes. It’s really super great.
My favorite game was Jeopardy, but they are all great. Because Improv Broadway’s “bread and butter” act on Saturday nights is to create an improv musical, all improvisers sing in many of the games. The singing aspect is really over the top great.
Because this is a filmed event, a few things needed to be re-filmed, but it wasn’t a drag and didn’t take long, and Ericson kept it, you guessed it, funny. And there is a sense of excitement and bedazzlement with the camera swooping around the room, and if you’re in the front row on the side like we were, in your face, that makes it even more electric.
There are four more shows, so come to at least one of the filmings. They will be adding improvisers and games for each show. The shows are free and family-friendly. It is Atherton’s goal to make Utah the clean comedy hub, and he is well on his way. I was able to spend some time after the last show to chat with him. He is an inspiring, well-spoken man with a passion for family-friendly comedy.
Improv Broadway presents A Night at the ImprovBroadway
VidAngel/Dry Bar Comedy Studios, 295 W Center St, Provo, UT 84601 February 21, 28, March 4, 28, April 4, 2019. 7:00 PM, 9:30 PM
Tickets: Free (but you must sign up)
Contact: 909-260-2509, ImprovBroadway@gmail.com
ImprovBroadway Facebook Page
A Night at the ImprovBroadway Facebook Event
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