By Jennifer Mustoe
In a cozy, vibrant space right on 9th East in Provo lies the source of a thousand laughs per Saturday–ImprovBroadway–a comedy venue that serves up a different, clean comedy product you need to go experience. Each Saturday, Zach Atherton, co-owner and co-founder of ImprovBroadway, and three of his IB troupe create a brand new musical based on information from the audience–gleaned from details they’ve asked audience members to provide.
I brought family members with me this last Saturday and they all agreed that the reasons they loved this format are these:
The audience is encouraged to participate, so the stories are completely original, fresh, charming, and identifiable. We also feel like the stories are “ours” but put to music and made really funny. One of our party said that because some of the same quips and jokes were used throughout the evening, she felt like she was part of the insider jokes and it felt fun and inclusive.
The stories and songs are all family-friendly. There were many children in the audience who were laughing along with us who are–ahem–older.
While there are other comedy venues one can attend, and often they are family-friendly, the idea to put a story to music and whip up, on the spot, songs that tell the story, is completely unique and tickles our funny bones in a new and different way. I asked my family members if they felt it was necessary to be musical theater fans and they said no. You just need to like to laugh. The players on Saturday night were fair to excellent singers, but those who weren’t trained singers were even funnier sometimes.
After the show, I interviewed one of the players about IB’s classes–they have many options! For young people and up, we can learn how to do improv. Even if you never want to be an actor or comedian, learning how to be quick on your feet with a one-liner can come in handy almost everywhere, anytime.
ImprovBroadway’s far-reaching mission is to make Provo the Clean Comedy Capitol and from what I see, they are on their way. Go to their Facebook Page or website and sign up for a class, to see a show, or to go to a filming of their upcoming TV show. Prepare to laugh a lot–it’s a cure for whatever ails you.
Click here to get to ImprovBroadway’s showtimes and dates. Look for the Saturday night shows and their filmed TV shows on select Thursdays until April 4, 2019.
Click here to learn more about ImprovBroadway‘s classes.
Click here to follow ImprovBroadway on Facebook.
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