The Boys are Back
That's right everyone. The boys of On the Rocks are back. For the few that actually attended SET last night you were treated to a, well, 'interesting' performance by On the Rocks. Well, not really On the Rocks, more like Initiation Night. Or as one brilliant improviser called it "The New Kids on the Rocks." For those that missed it, it was a night where we introduced our two newest members of On the Rocks, Reggie and Robyn (sorry if i spelled the names wrong guys). Apparently these 2 guys come as a pair and we figured both of them are about the size of one Reid. So we broke them in with some of our classic games, and I have to say, I've never seen someone take a tennis ball to the genitals like these guys.
But enough exposition. On May 8th everyone had better mark their calendars because On the Rocks is putting on their first ever SCRIPTED show. That's right, many months of rehearsals and late night drinking binges have gone into writing these sketches and putting them up on their feet. This could very well be the best sketch comedy show in town right now.
Second City students putting on a sketch show? Pish Posh, you say. I think not. In fact, here's a testament to how funny the show actually is: We literally almost killed Mike's wife during a rehearsal. She laughed so hard that she almost choked herself to death. That's how funny this show is going to be.
We hope to see as many people there as possible. We know there is limited seating in the theater now, and there was no way to get the big theater, so come early so you don't miss it. See you there.
"On the rocks",who entertained plenty when first formed...have lost their edge, and sense of humor. I guess getting drunk, putting on a suit and ordering two new kids around is how they roll...well,it was lopsided, uneven and hard to watch.As they probably knew- none of them stayed to watch the rest of the show.Let's hope their scripted stuff is better...or "The Set" these guys complain about will have to get better without them.
Damn
I still haven't seen an On the Rocks performance. I was busy moving out of the ghetto that day. We should be able to make it this coming Monday to see what you guys have come up with for your sketch show. I think that is a pretty ballsy move because I know I will be more critical, so I'm sure others will as well, because you guys actually took the time to come up with ideas and rehearse them. So if they're not funny I'm going to point and mock you all with lines like "You actually had time to think about this scene and THAT is what you came here with??!?!?!?!?!!". Nothing personal, it's just my duty. If I don't mock you when you suck, how will you know when you don't suck? Think about that one.
Re: Damn
As far as last weeks performance, it was totally last minute. Velvet Tom was supposed to perform. We were asked at the last minute to step in. We really had nothing prepared so we asked our new members if they wanted to play our old games. They did so we threw it up there without any rehearsals. As far as us leaving after the performance, we've been rehearsing Monday nights for the May 8th show. We literally left my house (which is where we were rehearsing) at 9:00PM, got to the theater, did a show, left right away and came back to my house where we rehearsed another 2 hours. Good times.
So was the On the Rocks show great last week? Probably not. But for a last minute thing, we tried to do something different.
Have we lost our edge? Come see the show on May 8th and tell us that.
By The Way!
As far as us not supporting the community, that's crap.
1. Before On The Rocks went up at the SET, the audiences were paltry at best. I distinctly remember an 11 boobs show that had an audience of less then 20. After our shows, the SET has consistently seen much better attendance. It's probably the fact that the shows have been consistently good lately and lots of new people are coming. And that's awesome. But attendance was going down and down until we showed up. Possibly a coincidence but possibly not.
2. Is attending the SET the only thing you can do to support the community? If it is, that sucks because that means I started this message board that your reading right now for nothing.
3. We're doing a scripted show. It takes A LOT of rehearsal. Between the writing, casting, props, learning the lines and staging, I myself have spent close to 100 hours of work on it. Sorry if I haven't been around much lately. Monday nights are good for us for rehearsals.
4. What else can you do to support the "scene" besides go to the SET? There is no other place to go see a show. When Pajama Party was performing, I went almost every week. They're not performing any more so now if you don't go to the SET, you're shit out of luck if you want to support the "scene".
5. The week before this one last SET, how many times did the Second City Cast perform? Was it three? Once with the wheel, then a two act show as well. Thank god watching the same people perform week in, week out never gets old.
6. I'd also like to know who you'd like us to support. Besides the IFA 3&4 troupes, who has been at the SET lately? Well, there's the Sedona guys who are nice enough to drive up and give us a show. (On a side note, if you can get down to see their show in Sedona, it's great. Beautiful town and some great improv.) Oh yeah, then there was the Myspace players. Except, I started that troupe.
It's a goddamn shame that the people in OTR never support improv in Las Vegas at all.
Re: By The Way!
And whoever stredge is, I agree with you that the show wasn't great last week. But if you're going to post on here, have the balls to at least put your name behind it.
Re: By The Way!
Settle down Michael, I know you're angry, but it's not their fault that they don't know what we've been doing. Breathe...
Let me see if I can cool the mood a litte...
Let's start with the performance on the 1st. That performance was NOT an On the Rocks performance. That was us introducing you to our new performers, Robyn and Reggie. And I agree, that performance was kind of like us taking a dump on the stage and then running off. What Mike said is true. Second City literally called us not even a week in advance and asked us if we would mind filling in. And to be honest, I told Mike I didn't want to do it - but he said that they wouldn't have anybody to cover if we didn't perform and he didn't want people to not show up to the SET. Mike cares so much about "The Scene" that he was willing to put our names on the bill so people would have something different to watch. And it literally caused a big fight before that show. Doug and I did not want to perform that night and Mike cares so much about "The Scene" that he begged us until we said okay.
Why do we not stick around? Well, with such a diverse ensemble there are only certain days that we can rehearse, as Mike said earlier. It just turned out that the easiest time for everybody to get there was during SET hours. Amanda is our coach and when she says that the only time we can meet is during SET hours, we had no choice. Even if that wasn't the case I, personally, don't know if I could even stick around till the end. Ending the SET at 11:45 makes it very hard for me to stay till the end anyway. I have a day job and that's what pays my bills. Getting fired because I can't be productive after a long night out is not an option for me.
Now how can I address "The Scene" issue without coming off as bitchy. I'm bad with analogies, so please forgive this example. You say that we should not expect people to support us because we do not support them? Well, we do not want you to attend the show out of pity, or as a favor to us. We want you to attend the show because you like the content. You don't watch the Dave Chappelle show because he came to your daughter's school play. You don't watch a Cirque show because they're offering free car washes down at the Cirque headquarters. You don't go to a U2 concert because Bono saved your cat from a burning buildilng. You see where I'm going with this. These shows are entertaining, that's why we go. We all have worked very hard on this show for you guys, the audience, and Mike has even gone beyond all of that and has actually spent a fair amount of money to enhance the stage show with props. If I were to guess, he has probably spent over $200. This is for a show for "The Scene" and he will not get that money back. Mike has gone beyond what most people have done for "The Scene" and to tell him that he is not supporting it by not showing up at the SET is a slap in the face and he has a right to be angry. But it's not "The Scene"s fault, they did not know that all of this was going on. So let's all just take a deep breathe now that we have both sides of the story.
Yes, the performance on May 1st was horrible.
Yes, there was no preparation taken for the show
Yes, we left early.
Yes, we had practice.
As for supporting "The Scene", Mike is probably the most dedicated guy I know. There have been many times when he has offered to buy me dinner just so I would go to an improv show with him. When 11 Boobs played at Art Bar - he was there. When the PJ Party was performing at 3 Tomatoes - he was there. When the NAB performed at Calico Jacks - he was there. When Sandbox was performing at Rock N Java - he was there. When Feminine HiJinx performed in China town - he was there. When Comedy: Off the Cuff was at Hot Rod Grille - he was there. When Leanne was trying to get a team to perform at Art from the Heart - he was the only one who volunteered. You get the point.
So I would re-evaluate who you are accusing of not supporting "The Scene" because I really think you hurt Mike's feelings by doing that. I'm just saying, an apology might be nice.
First, if you really have been to every SET, get the fuck out of town, brother! Take a trip or a cruise or something. We all need breaks. Hell, I won't be at the SET on the 22 cause I'll be surfin in Hawaii. And when I say surfin, I mean pretending to like my in-laws. Life is way too short to be stuck in this hellish desert.
Second, your performances get old. Everyone's does. If I had to watch myself every week, I'd hate it too. That's why I take weeks off. So when I come back, it's refreshing. Would you rather have someone who feels obligated to be there but is getting bored or someone who hasn't seen the show in a while and is having a great time? Again, I am incredibly grateful to have such amazing talent on that SET stage every week. But a week off here and there is nice too. Frankly, you're and everyone else on that stage is a hell of a lot funnier after a week or two off.
Third, people might not know why we left the SET after our show. But all you had to do was ask. Instead of making accusations that we don't care about the SET, ask why we left. Call me, post on here, e-mail me. I'm pretty much available all the time.
Anyways, I gotta go. I have a rehearsal tomorrow, Sunday and also Monday before the show. I'll see you all there.
Re: hmmm...
Seriously, take a vacation. Dedicated or not, everyone needs to get away from Las Vegas every once in a while. I can't tell you how much it upsets me that you've been to every SET. The wife and I get out of town at least 3 full weeks and 6 weekends a year. You need to start living the good life you've been setting up for yourself with your tireless work ethic. Spend some money on yourself and get outta Dodge.
Uh, sorry to butt in, but...
I kinda skimmed through the last like 3 exchanges between Josh and Mike.
You're both awesome guys who both support the scene and are both misinterpreted sometimes. By each other and other people.
But that's not the reason I'm posting. I just wanted to say that, to my knowledge, THREE groups exist in this town.
And those troupes are:
-Pajama Party
-Extemporaneous
-On The Rocks
Three troupes. And which of these three have been called when The S.E.T. is in a bind (which has been more than once)?
And yeah, that kinda irks me because I KNOW Extemp put on some good, high energy shows that made people laugh. And I KNOW that I'm going to get up at 8:30am on a Sunday morning to go practice with them from 9:30 to 11:30.
Give the improv scene some credit. We're trying. Don't talk like it's dead. It's not easy finding venues or rehearsal times.
And the people who make up the improv scene - whether they're aware of it or not - are absolutely GRATEFUL to Josh and Mike. Without these two knuckleheads, we wouldn't have an improv scene.
Edited by: hatgirlnat at: 5/7/06 7:08 pm
And let's not forget...
Let's not forget the Inedibles at the Rock n' Java on Wednesday nights when we're listing local groups. Even with the occasional drama and personnel changes, that group has been a consistent improv presence in town. Enjoying this discussion. You're right, Josh, you'd be surprised who reads these exchanges and may or may not comment! A little heated discussion never hurts, as long as it's done respectfully, and with a dose of humor, of course.
i havent been on this in a while and WOW. has all the "love" amongst us left with leanne? remember when we all used to go to soupranos after the SET, get drunk and sing karaoke together? good times. anyway sorry i havent been to the set in 2 weeks but since i work nights and sun and mon are my only free nights i was busy the past 2 mondays. i will be there this monday to watch the return of OTR. then we, Extemp. will perform the next 2 mondays so im trying to stay up for our practice at 930 in the fucking morning. Nat, sorry for making you do all the work, i'll start helping with finding a steady place for us to perform. to hell with those bunkhouse bastards!!!!
Re: The Boys are Back
The interesting and poignant thing about this heated discussion is that, Mike and Josh, you two are the ones doing the most to encourage improv culture here to grow.
Mike, props to you for being a leader in a new group that is trying things that have not been done here yet. And participating in a short form group as well! I KNOW how freaking hard/impossible sometimes it is to find a time during the week for 5 people to get together and rehearse. Thank you, also, for getting together this online forum to discuss these issues.
Josh, I feel like you are our liason to SC in many ways. You are posting here and participating in discussions. You bring our concerns up to people who can help change things for the better. You are at SET every week. You are here for the little people. Si se puede!
Without both of you, things at the SET and SCLV would not be as successful as they are now. So thank you. And I hope you guys have the respect for each other that I have for the two of you.
Re: good lord!
I respect Mike. Hell... I even kind of like him. If I didn't respect his opinion, I wouldn't even care about this discussion. And, that goes for everyone... if I didn't respect the improv community... and just plain love it... I wouldn't even be coming on here to post.
I'm very passionate about things in life... and sometimes my passion gets away from me.
Re: The Boys are Back
Natalie, honestly, when the SET people called me, they didn't ask for an OTR show. They just asked if I had something that might fill a spot. And the only reason I didn't go with Extemperanious is because we had the following two weeks after OTR. So I figured that OTR could have two weeks and then Extemperanious could have two weeks. Of course, I just found out that we had our second date pushed to June by the SET people. Go figure. It was my choice for OTR, not anyone elses. I'm sure the reason they called me is because I'm constantly bugging them for more dates and times. I love our group and wish we had the oppurtunity to perform more. When I asked "Who had performed at the SET lately?" I didn't forget Extemperanious. We just haven't performed there lately. And please don't think I haven't tried. I asked for more SET days for us back in January. May was the first time they gave us. I can't wait to perfrom with you on the 15th! But if you want to blame someone for choosing OTR last week, that would have to fall on me.
Josh, I also respect and kinda like you. But take a vacation. Especially now that Vegas is warming back up. All I can think about everytime I step outside is going someplace cooler. Like an iceberg.
Jen, If you think Josh and I are dedicated, think about this. Chris Pang got off work this morning at 6AM and still made a 9:30 AM rehearsal and did a great job. That's dedication!
I assure you I'd have been dead asleep with my phone off.
Scott, I had no idea that you guys were still down at the Rock N Java. I'll do my best to be there next week.
Kudos!!
Nice job last night. The OTR show was impeccably planned and splendidly pulled off! And great work by your two fledgling members, Reg and Robin. Not only did they kick ass, but their hair looked great.
Wow
Reading this thing made me kinda uncomfortable, like when my parents used to fight when I was a kid. I hope everybody is all chill now. Sorry I missed both OTR shows. I'm mega poor because of the move and hella tired all the time because we're still moving boxes every day. I won't be at the next two sets either because I'll be in Hawaii as well. So I reckon I'll see all you cats on Memorial Day. There will be a set on that day, right? Word to your mama sans.
In the community
Speaking of supporting the community, why don't you all come see Las Vegas Improvisation Players? LVIP has had active members for over 5 years (and even has original members). I've been in it for about 2.5 years, the likes of Jeff Crews and Barb Bond have been in it even longer. Our monthly (or so) shows get a decent-sized crowd and we recently has a paid gig at Mandalay Bay. We don't do tennis balls and typically don't take off our clothes, but we do offer a consistently good show. We also do a lot of music/singing scenes which make us stand out, I think. You can sign up for our mailing list by contacting our director. www.humorpower.com/contact.html Thanks!
And the moral of the story is...
I was JUST thinking that, Cdoll. Thanks for the reminder. I haven't seen Jeff in a while; he comes to S.E.T. sometimes. I didn't know you guys had a Web site.
See? The improv community exists.
Maybe all of us can learn a lesson from this. Instead of pointing fingers at others, maybe we should turn it around and point it at ourselves.
Two troupes are out there and the best we can do is show up at S.E.T. and rant in an online forum. The shame!
Let He Who Hath No Sin... Cast the First Improv Stone ('cause REAL stones HURT!)
For Mike:
For Josh:
For everyone: (I never understood this face. What emotions is it conveying?)
(I never understood this face. What emotions is it conveying?)
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