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| - I recently relocated from Los Angeles and a new friend of ours invited us out to see him perform at the Charlotte Comedy Theatre. I wasn't expecting much, after all it was a free comedy show, in an obscure location (the back hallway of the Graduate on the corner of Plaza and Central) and I am used to "Hollywood -caliber" improv shows, like those at the Groundlings on Melrose Ave.
We grabbed a bucket of beer and headed down the hallway that said "Restrooms," then into the tiny theater with makeshift seating and a simple stage. I started fast on my beers, a strategy intended for enduring what I anticipated would be a lukewarm performance.
Much to my surprise, the Charlotte Comedy Theatre was a breath of fresh air, a sign that Charlotte has more than a pulse, it has a soul. And I mean this with no disrespect, but as a growing city, looking to be more cosmopolitan than southern, Charlotte needs more culture and more entertainment; Charlotte Comedy Theater serves up both.
A friendly MC warmed up the crowd and they started with a Du-rap-rap, improv rap sequence, with the entire cast, who took turns rapping a comedic rhyme based on a name with a single syllable. As cheesy as this may sound, it was quite enjoyable and funny.
The rest of the evening, different pairs of cast members did a variety of improv exercises, involving suggestions from the audience (which unsurprisingly veered toward the R-rated). There were moments of brilliance, hilarity and sometimes even genius.
What stood out to me was the raw joy that each performer had in what they delivered. Absent was the smug conceit and what we saw was a a special combination of talent, chemistry and spontaneity.
The cast as a whole was pretty good, but there were a handful of standout performers, which I will attempt to remember.
JAMES (a bald, black guy): Wickedly funny; he gets lost into the characters and is a thrill to watch. MIKE (a guy with brown hair and glasses): Sharp, left field in his improv style, with the kind of humor of a "still waters run deep" sort of way. ANDY (bald white guy): His best moments were during physical comedy situations (the ostrich farm and kung fu sequence). A YOUNG NEWCOMER, male, lean, curly hair: this one showed real potential, unassuming in appearance and stage presence, he sneaks up on you with some deadly funny lines.
You must check this crew out. So far, this has proven to be the best thing I've discovered in Charlotte. For $10, you can't beat it.
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