Yes, Improv has uses beyond a 10 block radius of Chelsea

From the desk of Lee Solomon...

For those of you who aren't NYC improv nerds, that title refers to the fact that the three major improv theaters of NYC are...you guessed it, within a 10 block radius. In those theaters, on any given night, you can find a barage of performers and groups executing the art of improv, some well, some not-so-well, but always for their own pleasure and the pleasure of the audience. Nothing wrong with that, I do it myself, and it's a huge part of what keeps me sane. However, about 9 months ago I found out that we can use those skills for something even more beneficial. A wonderful organization that I am proud to now be a member of, called Cherub Improv, was created to bring improv, in the form of shows and in some cases workshops, to places such as nursing homes, hospitals, teen shelters, etc. The group has built up a huge array of clientele, all of whom absolutely love when we pay them a visit. The group also has a very large ensemble of rotating performers, which is a good thing, since there are multiple events pretty much every week. My fellow POYer Marc Adam Smith and I are both involved in this, and we have both discovered the joys of using our improv chops to give back. A simple thing to do, yet to the people we visit, a source of excitement, joy, and healing. To find out more, or to become a performer (they are always happy to accept new people, we need 'em! :), check out www.cherubimprov.org.

Recap of POY Variety Hour 2

I had this grand plan of recapping the Variety Hour for you WITH pictures, but time is just not on my side, so you'll have to settle for the verbal recap with pictures to follow soon:

Thank you for making the variety show so successful – I don’t know about you, but we had a GREAT time!

Since we don’t hand out programs for these one night only events, here is a run down of the performances:

Jeff Love & Johnny Blaze Leavitt – Dance routine. I use the word “dance” loosely, but this dynamic duo performed a modern ballet number to none other than Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”

Lizzie Czerner – Scene from her one woman show. Lizzie explored the wonder and release of embracing her… er, two biggest assets. Johnny Blaze Leavitt and Monica Russell helped out with costumed aplomb as “Lefty” and “Righty.”

Gerard J. Savoy, Paul Weissman, Marc Adam Smith and Jeff Love - Mob Sketch. If the mafia ever wanted to get into the modern age and recruit via infomercial, this would be it! G was able to tap into his inner gangster to hilarious effect.

Chris Keating and Amy Kersten – Personal Ad skit. Looking for that special someone? Real life couple, Chris and Amy laid out their lengthy and slightly wacky wants and needs as two singletons placing their personal ads.

Jeff Love - Stand Up routine. Have you ever stepped onstage and not known what to do? Imagine that, but with Jeff’s panicked inner monologue out there for the world to hear.

Paul Weissman and Andrea Scannell – Songs. Paul and Andrea performed beautiful duets.

Lee Solomon - 1-Man Star Trek. ”Khaaaan!” Lee focused on Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan as he acted out ALL the parts in this condensed and highly energetic version of the geektastic classic.

Melanie Kuchinski Rodriguez - Snow White Monologue. Fairyland was never like this. A jaded, imprisoned and highly pregnant Snow White told her side of the “Happily Ever After” story.

Jessie J. Fahay, Lee Solomon and Johnny Blaze Leavitt – Improvisation. The three improv vets performed a game called “Styles” where they performed the same scene over and over as audience members shouted out movie and play genres to hilarious effect. The telenovela style was my personal favorite.

Alyssa Mann, Melanie Kuchinski Rodriguez, Tina Trimble and Felicia Eugenia Velasco - Coochie Monologues. Alyssa played Jennifer, a modern women at one with her body, or so she thought until her coochie took a stand and spoke up for herself!

Gerard J. Savoy, Marc Adam Smith – Inside the Actor’s Studio Sketch. This was a sketch that truly was for the POY insider as Marc asked G questions about his career with Point of You.
Paul Weissman and Andrea Scannell – Song. Let me just say, no one in the company expected the two of them to perform THAT number – but they did so with such class!

Cedric Jones, Kenny – Men on Stage Sketch. Frequent guest artist Cedric Jones recruited his talented friend Kenny to create a fun take on cable access programming where the two dished on the men who were currently performing on stage – with a special shout out to none other than Johnny Blaze Leavitt!

Chris Keating – Monologue. More strange but true musings from our premier pontificator. This show’s installment involved spidergoats… yes, you read that right, spidergoats.

Johnny Blaze Leavitt – Song. Johnny completed the evening with a sweet love song. With assistance from Molly Blau and Jeff Love, the finale ended with an actual wedding proposal to Monica Russell!