Theatresports  ::  APRIL 17

    —I can’t handle watching improvisational comedy, it’s too taxing, I said.
    —How so? she asked.
    —Well, it’s not unlike driving past a horrible accident, except the accident is comprised of unemployed actors desperate for attention. You want to laugh and be entertained, but also you want the accident to be more horrible. You want to see grisly death onstage.
    —Actors always loathe being upstaged.
    —Especially from the audience.
    —I did that once, at an improv show, caused a total mutiny. The troupe was looking for suggestions of clichés that parents tell children, like ‘clean up your room’ or something. People called out things, nothing took. Then there was a huge silent pause before I shouted my suggestion.
    —What was it?
    —‘Everything will work out fine.’