When one first thinks of improvised comedy (and perhaps this is an unfair assumption), the mind immediately jumps to the image of a group of extremely energetic and theatrical actors, running onto the stage and asking the audience for a suggestion. From the start, TJ and Dave’s take on long-form improv brings in a completely different energy. There is no suggestion, and very little theatrics. They seamlessly pick up cues from one another and create a whole world with no external aids. Conversations happen at the pace of real life, not shying away from moments of silence, and characters are (for the most part) grounded in truth. The result is nothing short of hilarious, and very impressive.
The show lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission halfway through. The two actors walk on a bare stage, a black curtain as their background, and briefly introduce themselves. Then, they welcome the singer-songwriter Ike Reilly, who this time brings his son along. The two, with only their guitars and a harmonica, sing their way through the first half of the show, while TJ and Dave prepare backstage. There is a storytelling quality to all of Reilly’s songs, with a lyricism that mixes both poetry and hint of comedy. He and his son sing about a range of topics, from learning to apologize to dating somehow with horrible politics. The beautifully stripped-down musical performance somehow matches the type of improvisational comedy that follows.
After the intermission, TJ and Dave return to the stage, and dispensing with any audience participation, they jump right in. In real time, the two experienced improvisers act out a one-act play that somehow manages to have complete arcs, conflict, relationships, moments of seriousness and drama, some philosophical musings, and a whole lot of jokes and recurring bits. The play I got to witness featured two sons visiting their father at the hospital. There is an immediate tension between the two around who is entitled to more of dad’s money: the oldest son is significantly wealthier, and lives in a town called “Carefree”. The play features characters like the careless father (who ends up donating all the money to a shelter), two inexperienced nurses, a doctor lacking tact, and another one of the patients- all of which rotate between the two actors, who are able to inhabit every character with fascinating detail.
Without relying too much on creating unimaginable situations or out-of-this-world characters, most of the comedy comes from witticisms in the language, and the natural awkwardness of everyday life.
It was incredible to watch and would appeal to both lovers of theater and lovers of improvisational comedy.
