7:30 and 10 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1
Unscrewed Theater
3244 E. Speedway Blvd.
861-2986;unscrewedtheater.org
The heart of improvisational comedy is the ability to come up with humorous content at the drop of a hat—or swing of an imaginary sword, if that's the scenario being played out—in a way that transforms wherever you are into the world you're performing in. So it seems apropos that, for the past 11 years, the Not Burned Out Just Unscrewed comedy troupe has had to do its shows without a permanent home. "We've been going anyplace where people would have us," creative director Mike Pierce said. "Coffee shops, bars. We've been nomadic." But after a painstaking two-year fundraising process, NBOJU has finally laid down some roots. And its home, the Unscrewed Theater, is about to open its doors for the first time. NBOJU is holding four grand opening shows this weekend in celebration of the new digs, which are across the street from The Loft Cinema. The 7:30 p.m. shows are considered family friendly, Pierce said, while the 10 p.m. version is uncensored. The main difference? "It's based on what we take as far as suggestions (from the audience) go," Pierce said. Though not huge—the Unscrewed Theater seats roughly 100—the venue's size is perfect for improv comedy, Pierce said. The more people, the better the energy, though that hasn't prevented NBOJU from performing in front of audiences of two or three people. NBOJU's material veers in the direction of what you'd find on Whose Line is it Anyway?, minus the musical numbers. The troupe has 15 regular members, though with the theater opening, training classes will resume next week in hopes of adding 10 to 12 new players. Tickets for all shows are $5 each.
