Phony Winning Musical

Laura Hall (from TV’s “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?”) discusses Phony Award Winning, the improvised musical comedy inspired by classic musicals that she co-created and which performs Sunday nights at the IO Theater in Chicago. Laura, who got her start at Chicago’s Second City and Annoyance theaters, reveals how her early training and connections led to this exciting new improvisational form. Laura shares which other musicals they’re considering for future performances (and why none of them will be Hamilton); how the cast is flexible enough to swap roles every performance; the extent to which doing televised improv differs from doing it onstage; how to make audiences completely relaxed right at the top of the show; the exciting motivation to see the show more than once; and how improvising in the language, style, and tropes of different musicals offers fun and specific new challenges. (Length 21:15)

Episode 431. TJ And Dave

”You may not have heard of them but TJ & Dave are the gods of improvisation, and they’ve written a book about what they do called Improvisation at the Speed of Life. Dave Pasquesi (who you may recognize from the films Groundhog Day and Angels and Demons, or as Julia Louis-Dreyfuss’s ex-husband on Veep), talks Read more…

Episode 39. Behind The Table

”Between seeing great Chicago actors this week, we had plenty of time to chat about fan concerns, joke selection, and smart actor choices. Featuring the results of the Podcast Awards, some highly technical medical jargon, a scary excerpt from Reduced Idol, and a special appearance by Chicago’s Improvised Shakespeare Company. Read more…

Episode 34. The Windy City

”We’re coming to Chicago! Our opening at the Royal George Theatre prompts this tribute to the City of Big Shoulders. We celebrate this great theatre town, debate the merits of the Cubs v. the White Sox, and reveal the truth about Mrs O’Leary’s cow. Featuring a special appearance by Charna Read more…

Episode 33. Modern Slim Pickens

Character actor/comedian David Koechner (Anchorman, Thank You For Smoking, Snakes on a Plane) tells tales of typecasting and creating comic characters, and deconstructs his short-lived Comedy Central TV show, The Naked Trucker & T-Bones Show. Featuring a special appearance by Gerald ‘T-Bones’ Tibbons (left). Boop! (MP3. Length 26:20)

Episode 25. Follow The Mistakes!

”Mistakes…or oh-so-brilliant bits of comic invention!? You be the judge. We honor the god of chaos (Harpo?) and analyse the funny moments in our shows which began as screw-ups. Featuring excerpts from several of our stage shows, unnecessary vomiting, and a special appearance by Bridget Fonger, author of The Lazy Read more…