Improv is the new Woodstock

I was watching some fantastically great hip and cool improv at Studio 34 this past Thursday night. I saw two giants of the improv scene: Rare Bird Show and Illegal Refill. To know how cool that is I guess you might have to be part of the scene - and that is the right word too. Improv has become a scene. I am going to try to describe the experience for you. Here goes:

I made my way over to West Philadelphia around 9:15- 9:30. I knew the kids from Fletcher would be there,  cause they would just be getting outta rehearsal. 

The show wasn't until 10. I was a bit early. I walked into a large warm yoga studio replete with cushy sofas and large haremesque pillows. Members of Illegal Refill and Rare Bird Show were scattered about the large room, broken off into smaller groups and holding relaxed conversation. 

"Hey Fletcher, one of you wanna run the door for us?" asked Alexis . "Sure" says Buseman - or something like that. I mean its improv right, who needs a plan? 

Anyway - the studio slowly started to fill up with kids in cool t-shirts who had probably just locked up there environmentally friendly bicycles on the street below (I wouldn't know about that, I take cabs). Before I knew it, the place was packed with young 20-30 somethings. They crowded into the old office chairs, sat cross legged on various and sundry giant pillows intermittently spread out on the floor, and, after a while, even leaned against walls.

I looked at the audience at one point during the show and I saw a sea of cool haircuts and faces (both familiar and new) turned upward toward the stage and smiling. As I looked at this sea of attractive young faces I got this feeling, and I am not entirely sure about this, because I was never cool, but I got this feeling that these kids were hip. They were not the usual dorky Star Trek loving nerds you hear about assembling to see some make-um-ups. They obviously weren't at Studio 34 because they had nothing better to do with their time. They were there to see improv - because seeing improv has suddenly (or not so suddenly) become cool. 

I don't know how educated the crowd was about what they were watching. Somehow I don't think they were there because they has studied improv. It was clear, however, that they enjoyed it. To them, I imagine, its like seeing a band you enjoy. I do believe there are even such things as improv groupies. 

Besides being cool, seeing improv is also economically friendly.   Its so not corporate - ya know?  The show was, in fact, free! Yes, free! - and also BYOB. Everything about the show had such a hip underground feeling to it. I know it is a hard feeling to impart, especially over a blog, but fortunately you can experience it for yourself the third Thursday of every month.  

So come be part of the underground improv scene.  What am I saying? obviously,  if you are on the PHIT blog or you look good in a t-shirt you already know about it!