Friday, June 22nd and Saturday, June 23rd 2012

Frank, Stephanie, and John
in "Good Cop / Bad Cop" 

There is something about a warm summer’s evening that makes me wax poetic (or at least plagiarize other’s words).  As Shakespeare so aptly put it; “This is very midsummer madness.”  And it was madness that ensued at the Firehouse Theater this weekend. 

The antics began on Friday as Stephanie Conrad took on the perpetrator role in “Good Cop / Bad Cop”, confessing to the crime of killing Monica Lewinsky, with bubble wrap, in a Karaoke Bar, but not before some quips by John Mulligan and Frank Fusaro about cigars and saving the packaging from recent, multiple electronics purchases.

Jim, Anna, and Dylan
perform "Doo Run Song"

Audience members, Rob and Peggy were the focus of a “Doo Run Song” performed by Anna Smith, Jim Foley, and Dylan Eberle.  But I think our couple may have made a few of The Bits a little nervous, fearing either an IRS audit from Peggy, or the target of a covert, secret agent mission by Rob.

Anna, John, Frank and Jim
in "Helping Hands"

A long lost bit “Helping Hands” was resurrected from mothballs.  The audience delighted in seeing our Train Conductors, Jim and Frank go to fisticuffs which were provided by Anna and John.

Anna and John "helping"
Frank and Jim

In the second set, Denise, a furniture store owner by day, was privileged to live out her dream of becoming a lawyer in an “Epic Poem” performed by Stephanie, Anna, and Jim.  Click the link to the video -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjyRVojRR4k&feature=plcp

The wackiness did not subside with the next Bit, “Stunt Doubles”. In this scene, Anna and Frank (our actors who were portraying therapists), call on their stunt doubles, (Dylan and John) to perform any of their physical actions in the scene. Click the link -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOwOtxeZNr4

Aaron is "Serenaded" by The Bit Players

“When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton”…  Oh, wait… that was The Lord of the Rings…  But there was still much excitement at the Firehouse Theater with Chef, Aaron celebrating his birthday with the Bit Players.  Aaron, and his mates celebrating with him were rewarded by the Bit Players with a “Serenade” all about Aaron. (and it seems that Aaron had the “IT” factor that somehow made most of the male cast of the Bit Players admit their attraction to him)

The madcap hijinx didn’t stop on Saturday .  Lots of people were celebrating various events with the Bit Players, including three birthdays, an anniversary, a bachelorette party, and the first ever bachelor party at the Firehouse.

Bailey celebrates her 13th Birthday
with The Bit Players

First to be recognized in the audience was longtime Bit Player fan, Bailey, celebrating her 13^th Birthday with her friends, Hannah, Sarah, and the rest of her posse, all made possible by Mom, Liz.  Click the link to the video -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3dKM0qWPRc&feature=youtu.be

Frank and Anna in "Stunt Doubles"

“Stunt Doubles” was brought back again on Saturday and was equally as hilarious as the night before, with Anna and Frank, again the actors in the scene, but this time it was Vlad Tenenbaum and John as their stunt backups. Click the link to the video -> http://youtu.be/0VUyLrZKqbc

Bobbie is interviewed by Frank

Vlad and John in "Stunt Doubles"

Then there was Bobbie, our Budweiser sales rep and bachelor, who true to his brand, was enjoying a "Bud" with his buds.  In an interview we learned that Bobbie (last name Berry) would soon to be marrying Lauren.  We also learned that Bobbie had hopes to someday have a son who he planned on naming Blue, and Bobbie’s soon to be father-in-law, Jerry, may or may not have known about Lauren’s “sleep-overs”. The information gained in the interview became the plot of a scene game called “Day in the Life of Bobbie” starring the entire Bit Players Cast.

The audience captures
 "Irish Drinking Song" on their cell phones

Jen, a Kindergarten teacher, celebrating her birthday was honored with an “Irish Drinking Song” sung by Frank, Brittany, Dylan, and John… (Did Brittany utter a naughty comment????)

The Bit Players perform
"Irish Drinking Song"

Then there were Sherry and Paul celebrating their 40^th wedding anniversary. Modest, Sherry a stay-at-home mom (the hardest profession as Frank pointed out) was wooed by professor, Paul when they met while working at a bank.  Paul asked Sherry out after having crashed his car into hers.  Wow!  Talk about being “Hit on”.  As a tribute to Paul and Sherry, Vlad performed their life in a mime piece called “Love Story.

Frank and Dylan with bachelorette, Kate
and maid-of-honor, Meg in "Tap The Audience"

Vlad tells a "Love Story"

Finally, there was Kate our bachelorette, marrying Ryan, who was accompanied by a whole entourage of women claiming to be in her wedding party, with not just one, but two maids-of-honor.  Sorry ladies, but she chose Meg to be with her on stage with the Bit Players in a game called “Tap The Audience”.  (Guess she loves Meg best…. Jk)

The last bit of the night, “Rock Song” about nap time, had the audience in stitches.  The crowd could not get enough of the Bit Players and called for an “Encore” in which the Bits dutifully satisfied with a finale “Blues Song” about comfort food

With a sellout of their 8:00pm show, the Bit Players also performed a second late night, 10:00pm show.

Dylan prepares for immersion in "Head in a Bucket"

Vlad's "Head in a Bucket"

Frank's "Head in a Bucket"

The piece that everyone was waiting for, in the late night show, was “Head in a Bucket” where a player must keep his head submerged in a bucket filled with water until his scene partners can justify leaving the scene and then take his place in the bucket.  It was not “Galligher” but the audience delighted in a very wet Frank, Dylan, and Vlad.

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!