Evil Clownprov?
I sent Adam a text message on 3/03 that read, "Mega long dinner forecast evil clownprov"
He replied with something the effect of, "I don't know what that is but I'm in."
Well, I have discovered what it is.

Last night Tim Goodwin called me to inform me that Becky Johnson from Iron Cobra was performing in Minneapolis that evening. Turns out the gig was "Improv-a-go-go" at BRAVE NEW WORKSHOP. It costs a $1, so I decided to go.

Alissa was feeling sick (she's home from work today) so I ventured to Minneapolis by myself. A truly dangerous task. (Not because Minneapolis is really that dangerous; navigating myself through a strange city is more what I worry about!)

The show was very exciting because it's a really spiffy theatre. I described it as "punk improv" because most of the people in the 100-seat place were probably under the age of 17. They were hyper and excited. The first group was the in-house troupe of Butch&Jill - they were great. The second group was two young kids and they were okay. Becky & her friend went on third as "Two Girls Who Fell Down a Well and Drown" which was really solid. Becky went to Clown School so she's very expressive with her body language when she's in a character. I took a workshop with her in Rochester and learned a ton in just a few hours. At intermission I said hello and she remembered me and offered to introduce me to some other MN improv people (which was really nice of her). I stuck around refilled my coffee cup. ($2 for bottomless!) There was only one act on after intermission which, I believe, called themselves "Clown Improv".

Three middle-aged men wearing old clothes and clown makeup (complete with RAINBOW wigs) come on stage. They had white T-shirts with their nicknames scrawled on them: "RERUN", "CAT", "DUTH". The entire stage had been covered in tarps and plastic during intermission indiciating some kind of Gallagher-like fate awaited the first few rows of the audience. They did some basic scene flurries based on offers and it was probably the weakest of all the sets I'd seen yet. Halfway through their performance the lights went off and an warning light began to flash. "BRING OUT THE BLOOD" screamed the voice. So, a big bucket of red goo came out. They played Oxygen Deprivation using it and it wasn't that entertaining. It wasn't bad; it's just that the game is really about the novelty of someone being underwater and in this case, looking like they're covered in "blood". It'd be more accurate to say they looked they were covered in red corn syrup, because they were. Anyhow, the audience ate it up and if they were happy - and the show was $1 - I cannot say enough good things about how fun the whole experience really was.

I decided to get home after the show, but I was able to meet a few people and Becky's vouching for me gave me some "street cred". Woo! Also, I talked to Butch, who is the main MC for the show, and he said that if people come from out of town, they're always willing to put them up in a random slot which will be MOST EXCELLENT. So, if I can talk anyone from Geva into coming out to Minnesota for a weekend, we can get some stage time and about $12. Becky was joking about having someone come out for that sort of pay, but I really believe there are tons of people back in Rochester who would foot the bill for flying out if it meant awesome exposure and new opportunity like BRAVE NEW WORKSHOP offers. A very fun show and I've decided I know what "Evil Clownprov" really is.

As for new formats, seeing the show sparked some creative juices in me and I definately can think of some really cool longform variations that could be played involving Game Shows & Pro-Wrestling. The Game Show one would involve two people on stage as contestants and an omnious voice through the PA (similar to "A Chorus Line"). The pro-wrestling one would involve demonstrating random holds/reversals between stories and scenes.

Movies? Alissa & I saw Nicholas Cage's remake of "The Wicker Man" at the newly discovered DOLLARTHEATRE near our house. It turns out it's about 12 minutes away and costs $1.50! This is very awesome because it's not only clean & friendly but close & fun. I plan on going a lot more! ROCK.