Friday, March 30th and Saturday, March 31st 2012

Chase Ceglie on Saxophone Devon Mello on Keyboard

The final weekend of March and Irish Heritage month means that this was the last weekend for the bit “Pot O’ Gold” in the Bit Players rotation.  Awwww….  But never fear BP fans, it shall be replaced with new favorites.

Chase Ceglie and Devon Mello entertained the crowd this weekend with their new piano-synthesized toy, and their renditions of George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” and  Van Halen’s “Jump” which saw many in the crowd humming or even singing along to these 80’s favs.  Also, the Friday show saw Frank Fusaro return to the stage with the Bit Players for a one night performance.

"Helping Hands" performed by Neal Leaheey, Jim Foley
(and the hands - Vlad Tenenbaum and Stephanie Conrad)

A bit called “Helping Hands” got the audience laughing as we saw a Doctor (Jim Foley) /Patient (Neal Leaheey) and their relationship go very wrong as their “hands” played by Stephanie Conrad and Vlad Tenenbaum had our Doctor Jim syncing up his heartbeat with Neal in a rather intimate way as a cure for Neal’s insomnia.

The Bit Players recognized Navy pilot, Mark in a “Doo Run Song” which not only got applause for Mark’s service, it also pleased the audience.  While Vlad interviewed Mark and his wife , Claudia, we learned about Claudia’s description of Mark as being “forgetful and sexy”.  This provided much fodder for The Bits in their song which crooned about Mark taking Claudia a “Mile High”.

The highlight of Friday night show had to be “Stunt Doubles” where Frank and Jim were given the suggestion of being in a ballet school. The twist of the scene was that Frank and Jim, as acting divas, did not perform any of their own physical actions.  These actions were performed by Vlad and Neal. 

Check out the video on YouTube for the hillarity that ensued:  http://youtu.be/E8-5WSuAAG8

 

Neal Leaheey as the Leprechaun,
with Dylan Eberle and Stephanie Conrad in
"Pot O' Gold"

The Saturday night show saw lots of crazy antics.  Pot O’ Gold saw Neal as the leprechaun being interrogated by Stephanie and Dylan Eberle.  Our obstinate leprechaun had to reveal from whom he stole his gold, what object he hid it in, and where he hid the object.  With Neal out of the theatre, our interrogators, recieved suggestions from the audience: Robin Williams, a goat head, and an insane asylum, which our interrogators had to provide clues to Neal to guess the items in a wacky scene, which had Dylan at one point holding Neal in a head lock!

Vlad Tenenbaum sings his problem of "Alien Adoption"
to Bartender Stephanie Conrad

Dylan Eberle sings to Stephanie Conrad
the consequences of stealing his
father's car

“Bartender” The Bit Players’ signature piece, had everyone in stitches, especially with Vlad being adopted by aliens, and Dylan stealing his father’s (David Hasselhoff) car!

Vlad Tenenbaum interviews the "expert"
(Dylan Eberle, Steph Conrad, and Neal Leaheey)
 in MoonDoggy 

The always entertaining bit, “MoonDoggy” amused the crowd, as Vlad interviewed our expert on “break dance fighting”.  Our expert's name: Daniel Boone (played by Dylan, Neal, and Stephanie).  We learned that Mr Boone learned this “art” from his mother at 1 year old, ate cranberries and crow, and his idol was Ronald Reagan.  When asked by an audience member why he stutters, our rather indignant expert replied back, “Why is your face so fat?”  and to another member of the audience asking about clothing, our expert retorted, “I wear high top sneakers, and school fools like you!”

Vlad Tenenbaum in "Love Story"

Vlad did what Vlad does best, and charmed the crowd with a Love Story (about audience members Cheryl & Tom celebrating their 20^th anniversary) told only in the manner that Vlad can tell it.

Rounding out the Saturday night show was an “Irish Drinking Song” performed by Dylan, Neal, Stephanie, and Vlad about Danny the Coal Miner.

The Bit Players perform improv comedy every Friday and Saturday night at 8:00pm at the Firehouse Theatre, 4 Equality Park Place (off Broadway), Newport, RI 02840.  Please call the box office for reservations   401-849-FIRE (3473)  And as always, it is BYOB!