I wrote this last week but am posting it today, because it's still true...
One of the hardest and least
successful things to try to do, is explain or recreate an improv scene to
someone who wasn't there when it happened.
However, I'm gonna challenge the
odds and do just that.
Seemingly 100 years ago I went to
see a friends two man improv set at The Playground theatre in Chicago- their
old space-- so small dark and crappy seats for those of you who need a visual.
The only thing separating the "stage" from the lobby and flimsy door
leading to the street was a curtain. A torn and stained curtain, that I’m
pretty sure was taken from someone’s apartment. I got there late and had to
stand at the back, which if my memory isn't making things up was a fence
covered brick wall. Their set was maybe 15 minutes max. One of the vignettes
they did was the scene that I remember easily 10 years later. Both guys were
playing women and I don't remember if they were getting ready to go out or had
just gotten home but they were summing up their day and my friend's character
started crying about what a terrible day she had had. Listing various trivial
slights - a run in her stockings, no snacks in the vending machine, lost her
favorite lipstick and the culminating offense was "and then I got my
period".
The realness and vulnerability that
my friend played this turmoil filled women, was so honest that the audience
erupted in laughter because they could all relate.
I am having that woman's day today.
Nothing major happened - work was frustrating, my dog barked at the mailman, an
old man pushed me on the train - but nothing really worth crying over. I'm
tired and feeling like NYC is just being a bully and I'd very much like to curl
up on the couch with my best friend and eat ranch flavored popcorn lamenting
about our periods.
