Wake the Improv is produced by Pete Semington and Charlton Metcalf of the improv troupe Eaten by Locusts, "an improv troupe that relies on true life experience to bring comedy and tragedy to delighted audiences," so they perform at every show. They were joined this month by two troupes I've seen before at various venues around town - Nudge, "improvised monoscenes" of "real life, but dumb," and Babe Train, "Babealicious Minneapolis based improv group." They all incorporated (or didn't) the suggestions in hilarious ways, either in short scenes or a continuous narrative. The Wizard, and the "free magic wands" handed out to the audience, lent a fun and participatory feel to the show.
Wake the Improv performs at The Others Workshop Collective in North Minneapolis, just off 94 and Broadway, so it's easy to get to with free street parking. Enter The Collective through the back alley, across the unintentional ice skating rink, and head down the stairs to a cool grungy room with welcoming couches in the corners, fun lighting, and an elevated performance space on one end with several rows of chairs for the audience. In other words, a perfect venue for improv.
Add Wake the Improv to the list of where to see improv in the Twin Cities. With a 7pm showtime and less than 90 minute runtime, it's fun, short, and to the point, and allows for an early bedtime going out after the show.
