I love improv. I really do. I mean, I'm terrible at it yes, but that doesn't detract from my appreciation of the art. It takes a very limber and flexible mind to do improv, and above all do it well. Technically the hobo yelling obscenities and waving his pecker at you while being picked up by the local law enforcement brigade is doing improv. Improv that'll get him beaten even more senseless in the pen, but improv nonetheless.
I recently graduated from my career college with honors (I know. A mexican succeeding? Shocking!), and as a sort of present, a friend of mine treated me to a day out. Lunch, that sort of thing out in Little Tokyo, and after futzing about for the day we trooped on out to another part of LA just off of Melrose, near Paramount Studios of all places, to a little comedy club called 'Comedy Sportz'.
Now, I haven't been to a lot of clubs, on principal mostly, but there was something very inviting about this one. For starters, the patio was set up like my cousin's backyard in downtown, and the concession stand was in a garage. Both of course, remodeled and with heating lamps, but a garage and backyard nonetheless. I really liked it actually, it made it feel more at home and cozier, at least with me, and it was nice to just sit back and chit-chat before the show started.
I think a bit of explanation is in order. A few months ago I went to their first show at Brave New World Comics in Valencia, featuring Mark Meer, also known to most folks as Commander Shepherd. The Harold of Galactus is an improv group, performing an improvised comic series, comprising of an omnibus of sorts, including their origin, their nemesis, moments in their superhero career, and even their tales as written by Frank Miller. (WHORESWHORESWHORESWHORESWHORES) Now bear in mind that it's all made up pretty much on the spot with minimal opinions and thoughts thrown about, enough to get the groundwork settled. It's immensely difficult to describe the entire segment, but really, when Doctor Destiny, Master of Space and Time, is thrust into battle against Baron Boom and his Blampires...
Well, it's a special kind of full-bore magic and lunacy that you can't even find in a fever dream. The first part of the act always consists of an improvised comic book, with the second being something different each time. An improvised video game, a zombie survival movie, a D&D session, there's really no end to the geekiness. THACO not-withstanding, I was unaware you could backstab a Gelatinous Cube, or even backstab a dragon in the uvula. Goddamn rogues.
There really is a special kind of magic to the whole show, and I have to give a shout out to you guys for being so willing to go out on stage and just let it all hang out. Figuratively speaking of course. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out on stage, and everyone that does it really does deserve more respect then they're given, because while any one of us could go out there, we couldn't do it with nearly as much aplomb. There's a spark to you all, something that stokes the fires of joy and happiness within us, and while it may be just for one night, even for an hour or two, you still bring a smile to this little mexican's face. Thanks guys, you all deserve a cold one on me.
Whenever I get money of course.
I highly recommend anyone in the greater Los Angeles area go out and see these guys. They're going to be in town until the 25th, performing every Saturday, two shows a night. Tickets are only five bucks a pop, and really, what were you going to do on a Saturday night anyways?
Special mentions for perfomances thus far:
Mark Meer as A Kobold and a Dragon's Face
Chris Tallman as Doctor Destiny
Matt Young and Ryan Smith as Giant Jellyfish Creatures / Chang
Josh Dean as The Rogue and Tai Phoon/Sue Nami
Jenny Flack as The Shark II
I swear, I could NOT make any of this up guys.
Official information:
ComedySportz L.A.
733 N Seward St
Los Angeles, CA
Mapquest is your friend here, it's not too hard to find really. Parking might be a little scarce, but if you show up early enough it shouldn't be a problem. Come early and just hang out, there's a foozball table! FOOZBALL! And we're having such lovely evenings, especially after this hellish heatwave we've been having. Be sure to bring a jacket, LA can get kind of chilly at night.
