Copyright 2008 The Mop & Bucket Co. All Rights Reserved

BROADWAY IS COMING TO YOU

Broadway MopCo Style

 

SCHENECTADY --- Normally, Broadway musicals take months, even years to write, produce and rehearse; not for the Mop & Bucket Co.  All they need is an audience-provided song title, and a new musical is born.

 

Spontaneous Broadway, the entirely improvised musical format, is returning to the Capital District, running April 17 - 26 Upstairs at 440, Proctors. (440 State St, 2nd fl, Schenectady.)

 

Created by Kat Koppett, MopCo's Training Director, in conjunction with Freestyle Repertory Theatre in NYC, this magical improv format is a virtuoso piece that challenges improvisers and amazes audiences.

 

"People flip out." says Koppett.  "They can't believe what they are seeing. This is improv theatre at its high-wire best."

 

Setup:  Mick Treadwell, famous Broadway producer (Michael Burns) has invited his investors (the audience) to a "Backers' Audition" to help him decide which new musical to produce. After providing the fodder for a number of improvised songs and musical set-ups, the audience votes on which musical they would like to see. In the second act, the cast performs the chosen musical, complete with costumes, sets, choreography and a reprise of the chosen song.

 

Koppett's improv experience includes stints with companies in New York City (Freestyle Repertory Theatre) and San Francisco (BATS Improv). In 1995, TheaterWeek Magazine named Kat one of the year's "Unsung Heroes" for her creation of Spontaneous Broadway, which is now performed regularly all over the world.

 

 

SPONTANEOUS BROADWAY

Upstairs at 440 (440 State St, Schenectady NY)

 

Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m. - April 17, 18, 24, 25

Sundays at 2 p.m. - April 19 & 26

General seating: $15

 

For reservations call Proctors Box Office: 346-6204 or at www.proctors.org/places/440.

Theatresports

Mopco Presents Theatresports at Upstairs at 440, 440 State Street, Schenectady NY at 8 pm on Feb 27 & 28, and 8 PM March 6 & 7,  matinees at 2 PM March 1 & 8. All seats $15.

For reservations call Proctors Box Office: 346 6204  or at www.proctors.org/places/440 .

What is Theatresports?

Invented by Keith Johnstone,Theatresports(TM) combines all the fun and creativity of improv with the excitement of a sporting event. Teams of improvisers compete for your approval by making up scenes, songs and stories based on your suggestions. The winner gets $850 Billion  or a funky trophy, whichever taxes the American Public less. Don't miss this highly-acclaimed world-wide improv phenomenon.

The Mop & Bucket Co. is the sole licensed Theatresports franchise in the area. 

Teams, judges, scoring--What is the point?

Keith Johnstone invented Theatresports because he wanted to create a theatre that was as accessible--and involving--as a sporting event.  He succeeded: Audiences of all kinds participate in a Theatresports match by giving suggestions, volunteering to come on stage, and expressing their delight and disapproval.  That’s right, their disapproval as well! Just like in a sporting event, failure is part of the game!  As entertaining and engaging as success. 

sample video from a previous match  HERE

Judges

Area media personalities are invited to be celebrity judges for the matches. Each match will have one celebrity judge, one audience member judge, and one “friend of the company” judge.

Interested in judging? Email Michaelburns@mopco.org

What do the judges do?

The judges are given score cards numbered  1-5. Like Olympic judges, after each scene or game they hold up the card that best reflects their opinion of the work. The guidelines:

1: there were actors, breathing, on stage.

5: You will talk about this scene on your deathbed; it was that good.

Most scene or game scores fall in the 2-3 range.

HONKING:

The judges also have a bicycle horn, which they can use when they see fit. We call this the “Horn of Plenty”. it means, “Thanks,  we’ve seen plenty.”  A honked scene immediately ends, however will still be scored.

Is this a family friendly show?

Although not “children’s theatre” by any means, Mopco Theatresports matches can delight the whole family -- we aim for “PG”. That said, this is improv. We never know EXACTLY what will happen, so an occasional word or theme may skirt the edge.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Theatresports is an accessible, interactive format proven to delight theatrical novices and seasoned pros alike. Come on down and help us create a show!