Improv is this comedy group's specialty
The Laughing Gas Comedy Improv Theatre
Company was featured in the Miami
Herald in an article in the Neigbors North-Central section
on April 28th. To see the Miami Herald article by Irene Berman,
go to The
Miami Herald Online (subscription required).
Improv is this comedy group's specialty
BY IRENE BERMAN
Special to The Herald
At 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, the Main Street Playhouse in Miami Lakes explodes with laughter from the antics taking place on stage.
Laughing Gas is a group of 10 to 20 extremely talented actors with unbelievable improv creativity.
Improv is when actors take a situation and create the gag lines on the spot, without scripts. They may use some props or do it totally in pantomime, but the end result is a wild, nonstop 90-minute show that involves the audience by using their suggestions for the next sketch.
It is a mixture of music, sketches, news and commercial parodies and more.
The improv theater troupe was founded by the director/actor Gerald Owens in the 1980s and originally called Mental Floss. Mental Floss eventually disbanded due to lack of interest, but several of the original group founded a new company and named it Laughing Gas.
It decided not to own its theater, so it rented spaces. Now, after 13 years, it is still going strong at the Main Street Theatre in Miami Lakes, where it has been appearing every weekend for more than a year.
It also makes appearances around Florida, including Caldwell Theatre, the Burt Reynolds Theatre in Tequesta and Coconut's Comedy Club, among others.
Here is the schedule for the group's weekly shows at Main Street Playhouse, 6766 Main St.:
"'Yo' Momma'' is at 11 p.m. on May 6 and 7. Admission is
$10. On these special nights any mother accompanying a paying
audience member will get in free.
Some cast members say they have their own reasons for the special mom shows.
"Hey, even those who aren't normally under their mom's thumb
have to surrender to the inevitable," Todd Rice said. "Mother's
Day weekend is when all of us are looking for a way to get out
of the house for some needed comic relief. We're providing a public
service.''
"My mom endured 11 hours of painful labor to bring me into
this world,'' cast member Valerie Zach said. "So I thought
I'd give her 90 minutes of comedy -- my way of saying thanks."
On May 13, the troupe presents "Get Lucky."
This night will destroy the mystique around tridecaphobia (the fear of number 13). Audience members are invited to bring lucky and unlucky objects that will be used on stage in the performance.
Any couples who come to the box office that night and proclaim that they are ''Getting Lucky on Friday the 13th'' will get two-for-one admission.
For more information, call 305-461-1161 or visit the website www.laughinggasImprov.com.
Other shows in the works include ''Star Wreck: Another Failed
Enterprise'' and the Memorial Day weekend shows.
About Laughing Gas
The Laughing Gas Comedy Improv Theatre
Company is currently in its thirteenth season and
regularly performs shows in South Florida, including benefits
for community charities, corporate events and private shows.
For additional information or to arrange
an interview, you can see our more general
release, you may contact the Director
Gerald Owens by phone at 954-942-0375, or by E-mail.
Copyright ©2008 -
Laughing Gas - All Rights Reserved
(305) 461-1161 for Reservations
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