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| New Arcade Comedy Theater, Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh |
Bringing humor and
laughter to Pittsburgh is a great way
to circumvent some of the unpleasant current events in the news lately and to
combat the impending shortened daylight this time of year. Arcade Comedy Theater is a new comedy venue with a non-profit mission to, “elevate and advance
the art of comedy” and “present fun accessible and affordable
live comedy to Pittsburgh every weekend”.
I was ready to experience some spontaneous
humor through the art of improvisational comedy
during the Grand Opening of the New
Arcade Comedy Theater!
Reflection
I am amazed that groups of individuals just make stories happen
without a script. In improvisational comedy, there is constant subject change which produces humorous evolving
situations. This certainly is in line with my blog inspiration psychologist, Maslow's theory, of self-actualization where a person is always “becoming” and does not remain
static as they strive for their personal best!
Arcade has two theaters to entertain (both for stand-up and improv shows) and a lounge with video games. You
can also bring your own wine or beer to the show. The BYOB is a bonus for this girl
that enjoys not having to pay for over
priced drinks with a 2 drink
minimum like in most comedy clubs.
Opening night had a
lot of amplified energy where everyone
was just ready to experience it all. The audience responded with continued bursts of laughter. We saw three teams of improv comedians: Warp
Zone (who entertain monthly at the theater), Change Machine, and Friday Night Improv with
special guest John Daily from Zoolander 2 and the Kroll Show.
Part of the fun is the inventive manner in which the prompts
from the audience are incorporated into
the script. This night, Warp Zone cleverly
added the audience’s word , “soup” into a whimsical story.
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| Friday Night Improv |
The humor stemmed from the groups quick wit and not just from a punchline. Change Machine,
did this well as they switched the trajectory of the comic movement when each actor said the word “freeze” and
changed the subject.
One of my favorite teams was Friday Night Improv with John Daily whose stand alone
expressions produced laughter .The physicality of Daily’s comedy added humor
just like one of my favorite comedians, Sebastian Maniscalo (see Day 216).
I particularly enjoyed their Siskel and Ebert parody where the audience invented 3 film titles and then the team acted out movie scenes.
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| Met this comedian and actor who both took classes at Arcade |
Arcade Comedy Theater pulsed with energy and I would definitely
try it again. I like the fact that each show is unique-"like a box of chocolate", you never know what you will get with improv.
Arcade also offers classes that have birthed
several teams now preforming. Maybe I
should try a class and see if I have the ability to be spontaneous
and produce laughter without a script!
(Check the schedule of events to experience some life levity at the new Arcade
Comedy Theater)
Spiritual Source
A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:13)
Other sources
Arcade Comedy Theater http://arcadecomedytheater.com/
Arcade Comedy Theater events http://arcadecomedytheater.com/events/
Maslow Theory https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html