I set out this morning after a massage to go to the Surgical Science. Haven’t got there yet.
Got on a train, which announced it was the Red Line (there are a few different colours here). But it kept on the Brown Line track. So although I could have gotten off, I stayed for the Red Line stop I wanted. I took the line right down through the Downtown Loop (which was a nice view, given that the brown line is elevated, and it’s been around long enough for architects to have added features at El line level).
Then, when I thought it was about to loop back around and get me to where I wanted to go, it turned into the Red Line. Transformational!
So I ended up on State Street (that great street), which was shopping central in the 1850’s.
Dropped into Barnes and Noble for a coffee and ended up with a few new games: Origin of Expressions (a dictionary-like game); the Settlers of Catan (a board game recommended by Shad); Barista (a negotiating game); BeRhyme (charades with rhymes); and Alibi (a more complex Cluedo).
In keeping with the rest of the day, they didn’t do decaf at Barnes and Noble, so here I am at Macy’s on State St with a chicken burger, discarding the excess packaging from the games (so I can get them home in my luggage).
Last night I saw the musical improv show Baby Wants Candy again. It was a different cast from last time. I would say second string – a lot of players have gone to New York for a Del Close marathon. Also the players went blue really early in the show. Always gets a laugh, but seems to stall things.
Got to say as an audience member it is usually more satisfying to have the all-in chorus (as recommended by Dave Asher’s workshop), especially when the singers aren’t so talented. It also gives opportunity for dance numbers etc.
As a player it’s more boring to set up, but it does make a difference (and it’s good to have a little variety). Even duets with a repeating line is very satisfying (and looks much harder than it is).
Just like last week, they topped off their 45 – 55 minute musical with a “let us retell your day”. The guy who volunteered processed sewage for a living. So it was a gift from the audience really.
I’m wondering if they do the tacked on bit at the end in case the show’s ordinary – that way they can get a sure laugh? They also have an audience draw (3 prizes with combinations of tickets, branded mugs, branded beer holders) after each show. Good for return business.
Same deal with Harolds – after a show of several Harolds they play a gaggy Freeze Tag (and usually the physical element of it is totally lost in favour of a gag). I guess it guarantees that people walk out laughing. Probably good for business, I guess.
