Giggles galore

One of IMPROVment’s last shows just as funny as previous ones

Claudia Jazowski, Staff Reporter

There are giggles galore on Saturday nights at the Eldred Theater Blackbox with Case Western Reserve University’s own improv comedy troupe, IMPROVment. With only two performances left, this comedy show is one you do not want to miss. The shows start at 11 p.m. on April 20 and 9 p.m. on April 27. Be sure to arrive early because seats fill up quickly.

Last weekend, IMPROVment did not let the cold stop their blazing performance. With hilarious back-to-back acts, there was not a single dull moment. As a first-time attendee, I did not know what to expect from the show. Would it be a cheesy college show with awkward jokes that fell flat? Although I’ve seen shows like that before, this was an entirely different experience.

The performers used audience suggestions for parts of the acts. For one act, they took song suggestions. When an audience member first suggested a song that began with “girl” but quickly switched to “Helter Skelter,” third-year student Jack Routhier combined the two suggestions. He merged the songs to create “Guuuurl, Helter Skelter,” because they “always need to take the feminist approach.”

IMPROVment members incorporated audience suggestions regardless of how absurd or odd they were and succeeded in making a smooth show that gave the feel of a well written script, despite its spontaneity. I was amazed and could not believe they had no idea what was coming beforehand.

One of the highlights of the show was when they played a game in which they created jokes out of random topics. In one scenario, they had to create drill sergeant pick up lines. My favorite was, “Would you kiss me with that mouth, soldier?”

Another topic was, “What do Case Western [Reserve University] kids do for fun?” Fourth-year student JP Peralta sat down on the ground, and I giggled, thinking to myself, “Yeah, we really do nothing.” He then announced: “The shelter has now been lifted.” There was a roar of laughter.

The best part about IMPROVment is that these are CWRU students who just want to make the audience laugh. They know how hard the classes are, how bad the food can be at the dining halls, the pain of fire alarms and a hundred other things only CWRU students can know. IMPROVment uses all these things to create comedy that directly relates to all of us.

The IMPROVment show made for an excellent Saturday night, and I wish I had gone sooner. Take your friends, take your mom or even take your Tinder date. IMPROVment shows provide a comedy-filled hour that you will not regret.