by Shirley Lorraine
Usher the New Year with Laughs
In what has become a New Year’s Eve tradition, the Ventura Improv Company will be presenting a fun-filled, audience participation evening at the Rubicon Theatre. Designed to be family friendly, the event will begin with doors opening at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. performance, and end by 10:30 so families can get home and put the kids to bed, or festivities can continue at your leisure. Ringing in the new year will occur at 9 p.m., (midnight, EST). Imagine – you can toast the New Year twice!
This year’s extravaganza is dedicated to long-time improvisor and well-known actor/musician Gary Best, who passed away earlier this year. Best was a staple player and instructor at the Improv for many years. He was a songwriter and guitarist, often seen in Ventura area venues.
The Ventura Improv Company has been making people laugh and enhancing the talents of local performers since 1989. Under the guiding hands of Tom Mueller, Best and others, the company has gained recognition for ongoing excellence not only in Ventura, but on a widespread basis. These days, the award-winning company performs at NAMBA theater space, the second Friday of each month.
The evening will feature short scenes, theater games and music and an evening of spontaneous hilarity. If you have not experienced these improvised evenings yet, this New Year’s will be an enjoyable time to start.
The company also provides opportunities for learning through classes and introductions to expanding your mind and talents through improvisation techniques. These skills are useful not only on the stage, but in day-to-day situations. Quick thinking and engaging improvisation are true art forms. This company of players make it look so easy. You will be amazed at the performers’ abilities to make up scenes, sometimes even operas, on the fly. Even the musicians are improvising.
Hurry though – tickets are going fast – contact the Rubicon for availability. (805) 667-2900, www.rubicontheater.org.
May your new year be filled with love, laughter and theater.
