“We sold out 130 seats and it’s too quiet out there. Make some noise!” This is how most shows start out at Renegade Improv at Teatro Zuccone. With only 130 seats to sell out and new people coming each weekend, Renegade Improv is steadily growing from a hidden gem to a Friday and Saturday place-to-be.
“So often we're performing for regulars, people who know the games and the players,” Katy Helbacka, one of the players, said. “So I don't know where we get all of the new people from. We love seeing more people out here every weekend.”
The regulars differ from people who come every now and then to people who attend improv once a weekend. Jessica Johnson and Savannah Howes are some of the more dedicated patrons.
“We keep coming back because we love the people and we love the humor,” Johnson says. The girls answer quickly alternating each other. When asked what people should expect, they produced a streamlined and shared answer.
“To be offended,” Johnson said.
“Raunchy, dirty humor,” Howes said.
“Which is what we like!” Johnson finished.
Every night is different at Renegade Improv. The games, the players and especially the audience change. All of this contributes to creating a brand new, never before seen comedy show.
The noises are the same, though. From the theater before the show starts comes 130 different voices talking and laughing. People stream in from the bar, bringing their drinks with them to the show.
As the lights dim and the signature bass beats come on that are the prelude for every show, the crowd cheers for the referee as he jumps on the stage. Tonight the referee is Jordan “Catfood” Curtis.
“I am your referee/MC/dork of the night,” Curtis says before going over his jobs.
His biggest job, he says, is that he has to explain all of the games. He also has to take suggestions from the audience, the part of improv that makes every night different. Lastly he has to call fouls, like the groaner foul. To demonstrate he calls Cory Anderson out of hiding. Anderson clears his throat and gives an example.
“Where do you keep the three legged horse? In the unstable!” The audience groans and Curtis yells at Anderson to leave.
After this the show begins. Scenes about everything from bad pick-up lines, to a scene from the never-before-seen movie Trout Supernova, starring Jessica Rabbit and Danny Devito, to reenacting someone else’s life are acted out for the audience, laughter filling the theatre.
When the lights come up, the newcomers are easy to find. They are talking about how they are most definitely coming back next weekend, and when they do, they’ll bring friends.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be as funny as it was,” Ashley McClellan said. “They really throw everything out there.”
When asked what people should expect, Loni VanDell gave her view after her first time.
“Expect vulgarity,” she said. “It’s amazing. It’s better than seeing a movie.”
You can experience Renegade Improv every Friday and Saturday night at 10:30 p.m. Doors open at 10 p.m. and the price is $5.
Meet some of the people of Renegade Improv in Hallie's related story here.