MANSFIELD – Five veteran actors of the Mansfield Playhouse will take the stage this weekend with no script, minimal rehearsal time and absolutely no idea what might come out of their mouths.
This is the beauty of improvisational comedy, acting on stage with little to no prior preparation. And it’s what audiences of the Second Stage at the Playhouse can expect with its newest show, “Four Klunkers and a Chevy.”
The show came about as a filler for a Second Stage production that was unable to go on. It’s a reunion of sorts with the four original “klunkers,” Jeff Kilgore, Ryan Kiley, Mark Jordan and Doug Wertz. The addition of Chevy Bond, no stranger to improv herself, rounds out the show.
“Life kind of separated us and we all went in different directions,” Wertz said. “But we had talked about a reunion between all of us for a while.”
It didn’t take much to convince the gang to get back together.
“I couldn’t say yes fast enough,” said Jordan. “It took them a long time to convince me to get involved with the group because I was terrified of the idea of working without a script; as a writer I’m all about the words. But I’ve gotten quite addicted to the unpredictability of it.”
“Four Klunkers and a Chevy” follows a style very similar to the popular television show, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” There’s no storyline, rather a series of 16 standard improv games to provide a framework to the show. Each person has certain games where their strengths shine.
The key to successful improv, according to Jordan, is to say whatever pops into your head and embrace the consequences.
“If it’s really stupid you laugh at yourself and the audience laughs with you,” he said. “There is nothing more amazing than having that moment where it seems like it’s all going down in flames, and then suddenly an idea occurs to you and people start falling out of their chairs laughing.”
Due to the fact that you’re actually supposed to be unprepared for improv comedy, the group has only rehearsed three times prior to opening night.
“We’ve run through our show a couple of times, and we do our best to recreate what’s going to happen but you never know what’s going to happen,” Kiley said. “The show depends on the audience.”
Indeed, improv comedy relies heavily on breaking the theatre’s unspoken “fourth wall.” Audience participation is a crucial part of the show – including audience appearances on stage. Luckily, Second Stage productions at the Mansfield Playhouse allow alcohol consumption.
“Four Klunkers and a Chevy” opens Friday, May 6 at 8 p.m. on Second Stage at the Mansfield Playhouse. Three additional 8 p.m. shows will be presented May 7, 13 and 14. All tickets are $10 and seating is first-come, first-served. And since it’s all improv, you’re guaranteed never to see the same show twice.
“This allows us to cut loose and be free, and who gives a darn,” Wertz said. “It is more risk, but it seems to be a much greater reward. And we can laugh at each other along with the audience, which makes the whole night a blast for us.”
