The first rule of improvisational theatre is to say yes. And that is exactly what Peter Madore, a self-professed “improv nerd,” is hoping the community will say to an upcoming show with his favourite comedy troupe: Monkey Toast: The Live Improvised Talk Show on Saturday, January 25 at the Avening Community Centre.
Madore, who founded the Mad and Noisy Improv Company in 2013, started an improv class in Creemore to share his love for on-the-spot, collaborative story creation last fall. At the end of the eight-week session, class members wanted to see a professional performance to become more familiar with the possibilities of improv. Rather than heading to Toronto to see top talent, Madore suggested the class could help present a show right here at home. The answer was – you guessed it – yes!
From there, Madore contacted the Avening Hall Board, a group that has gained a reputation for presenting national-level talent close to home, to secure cooperation and support. Again, the answer: yes!
Encouraged by his students’ excitement and a commitment from the “ACC North,” Madore put the next question to Ron Tite, founder of Canadian Comedy Award winning troupe, Monkey Toast. Tite also said yes as he is excited about a switch from the usual big-city performances. “We’re thrilled to come to Creemore simply because it’s a different environment which will generate great discussion and even better comedy.”
Joining Tite to provide this “even better comedy” will be regular members of his troupe, many who have been involved with The Second City: Marty Adams, Herbie Barnes, Jan Caruana, Jennifer Goodhue, Sandy Jobin-Bevans, Lisa Merchant and music director, Chris New.
Monkey Toast shows revolve around interviewing celebrity guests. For this, Madore approached two local radio personalities who are normally accustomed to being in control of the mic: Mariane McLeod, the Dunedin-born-and-bred News Director of 97.7 The Beach, and Mulmur’s Terry O’Reilly, who hosts CBC’s Under the Influence.
O’Reilly’s “yes” to the engagement came quickly. “As a commercial director for 25 years, I love working with actors, and ad libbing was something I always loved and encourage,” O’Reilly explained. “I was fortunate to work with Second City performers for all those years. And it just sounded like fun.”
McLeod’s response was the same as O’Reilly’s – even if the motives were a bit different. “I always say yes to helping out at community stuff. Especially if it means an opportunity to be on stage and/or wear false eyelashes. I do get to wear false eyelashes, right?”
Tite is still working on a theme for the evening, and isn’t yet sure what questions he will ask or what will transpire with his two interviewees. But he’s not worried; lack of certainty is par for the course when it comes to improv. “I simply explore the things that I find interesting and what will inspire the best comedy,” Tite said. “That being said, there are local issues – from the infusion of city folk in the area to old Avening-Creemore-Stayner rivalries – that will probably emerge.”
With the venue, performers and guests all fully engaged, Madore has just one more group he would like to see offer a resounding “yes” to the show, and that is the audience. “We are hoping to get a great turnout for what should be a fun-filled night for people of all ages and interests,” he said.
For more information about Monkey Toast: The Live Improvised Talk Show, check out www.aveninghall.com. Tickets are $20 in advance at ticketscene.ca or at The Creemore Echo or $25 at the door. Doors open at 7 pm and the show starts at 8 pm. There will be dinner options available for purchase from Mad Maple Country Inn and beverages sold by the Avening Hall Board as part of their ongoing fundraising for upgrades to the facility.