Friday, May 4th 2012

Starting off May with a bang, the Bit Players entertained the crowds with a high energy, jam-packed night of hilarity.  Many in the audience got to experience firsthand what it’s like to actually take part in an improv show. 

Mike, a retired Naval Veteran who worked in construction during his years of service, got a taste of reliving his naval career… (well, the Bit Player version of it, anyway) Mike’s character as portrayed through the eyes of Dylan Eberle, Matt Lindman, and Ryan Hartigan, even got to make love to a whale in a “Doo Run Song”.  And then SueLi, an audience member in the back row, got to experience what it was like to go Sky Diving in an “Irish Drinking Song” performed by Neal Leaheey, Ryan, and Dylan, all about her.



I don’t think anyone in the audience that night will ever forget the amazing Bartender scene with patron, Matt having the problem of not being able to stop break dancing as he literally flew through the air in one flying arabesque leap into Dylan’s waiting arms across the stage.  Vlad Tenenbaum, the sympathetic bartender not only offered his compassion to Matt's plight, he also shared an obsessive miming interchange,  and then, Vlad “saved” Matt in a beautiful duet of movement, that was remarkable to watch.



The entire Bit Players Cast (Vlad Tenenbaum, Ryan Hartigan, Dylan Eberle, Neal Leaheey,
Stephanie Conrad, and Matt Lindman) in "Blind Freeze"



“Blind Freeze” had to be the most bizarre bit of the night with all of the Players (Vlad, Ryan, Dylan, Matt, Neal, and Stephanie Conrad) with the common thread of the “Most Awkwardly Conjoined Twins” as the common thread running throughout.

Connie and her five-sister ensemble were pleasantly surprised as the Bit Players involved them in a “Serenade”, calling Connie to the stage.  Watch the video now on our YouTube Channel.  - > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dUzN0FYwOc

Griffin, another member of our audience was spotlighted in “Epic Poem” style, by Neal, Dylan, and Ryan, where Griffin got to live out a childhood dream of one day being a General.  Not only did he live out his dream, he conquered his nemesis! Watch the video to see what happened! - > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCszbf9Qp2g

In “MoonDoggy” Ryan interviewed our expert (played by Dylan, Matt, and Neal) on the topic of Nuclear Power.  Our expert, Dr. Lassie may not have been someone that you may want to entrust with something as powerful as Nuclear Power.  Not only did Dr. Lassie get belligerent with the interviewer, he may have just extinguished any hope of life on Mars!  Watch the video to see if he succeeded in detonating our closest neighboring planet.
 - > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e_Ql5ueTuA

The entire Bit Players cast ( Vlad Tenenbaum, Ryan Hartigan, Dylan Eberle, Neal Leaheey,
Stephanie Conrad, and Matt Lindman) in "Mini-Musical" - entitled: Purple Spring

Ending the night’s crazy antics, the entire cast performed a Mini-Musical entitled “Purple Spring” where we saw the heartwarming tale of an endangered species of flower (Neal) who is protected by Matt from being exterminated by the evil, Urban Developers(Dylan and Ryan). The flower himself calls upon the EPA Vlad for protection, but is thwarted by the Developers who stop the rain brought by the EPA.  It is then that Matt vows to give his own life (or at least sweat) to save this flower.  And not only is the flower saved and multiplies, the Evil Developers have a change of heart and swear their allegiance to the protection of this endangered flower.

Other news…  As we’ve told you, the Bit Players are up for Motif Magazine’s Best Comedy Troupe Award.  Please support us and go to our link www.votebitplayers.com and vote for the Bit Players as Best Comedy Troupe!

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!