Comedy clubs are starting to gain popularity in a manner similar to the comedy boom of the ‘80s. Whether this is due to a new influx of comedy clubs or a growing, smarter comedy scene across the country, it’s nice to see comedy making a comeback in the public eye.
Laffs Inc., Toledo’s newest comedy club, has had a big part in increasing awareness of the comedy scene in the area. To help bring new and interesting comedy to the club they will have a free improv comedy night on Wednesday, January 28. Improv, or improvisational comedy, is the art of taking random suggestions, usually from an audience, and creating a scene out of them. Rarely is anything planned, making each and every show a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
Newly-formed improv group Gross Domestic Product will be the hosts of the improv night. GDP is the brainchild of Greg Kissner, Phillip Benson, and David Daniel Smith. The three performers, who have extensive backgrounds in music, theater, and film production, met last October in the Toledo Repertoire Theater on the set of “A Christmas Carol.” Backstage, they realized that they could use their talents together to put on a show, and the idea to start an improv group was born.
As a group, they’ve only performed once before, in the new downtown art pub The Moxie. GDP hopes the upcoming Laffs Inc. show will lead to more local gigs. The show will be filled with improvisational games similar to those that can be found on the newly-revived improv TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? Much like that show, music will be a big part of the performance, as will audience participation.
To utilize other talents of group member Greg Kissner, the show will also have a few pre-taped skits that poke fun at life in Toledo. Plus, the show will be an opportunity for the group to show off two new members, who will be chosen through an audition process. The group says they are looking to get involved with more people who have an an interest in improv.
It's well worth your while to support interesting new ventures in local comedy, and Laffs, Inc. is helping up-and-coming comics find their footing. The Gross Domestic Product show is free, making it perfect for anyone who’s even casually interested in the different kinds of comedy in our area. Come out to have fun and support local comedy, local artists, and local business.
8pm, Wednesday, January 28. Laffs, Inc. 3922 Secor Rd. (419) 214-0700, laffsinc.com.
