Friday, August 24th 2012

There are few things more civilized than taking an afternoon tea with friends and discussing intellectual topics and social issues of the day.  It is no surprise than that tea was also at the center of rebellion in the colonies when tea was made more difficult to afford.  After all we Americans are always looking for a bargain!  What better way to get more bang for your buck than to be entertained by The Bit Players with their own weird and quirky commentary on social issues and where you can bring your own beverage of choice.  Our Friday night crowds were not only frugal, they were a very courteous and civilized assembly.

Our rebellious scofflaws on hand for your entertainment included Host, Vlad Tenenbaum, and players, Frank Fusaro, Dylan Eberle, Neal Leaheey, Clayon McFarlane and Stephanie Conrad.

Dylan, Clayon, and Frank in "Good Cop/ Bad Cop"

In the game “Good Cop / Bad Cop”, Clayon was the perpetrator of a crime.  The crime, suggested by the audience, was that Clayon killed Splinter (The Master Ratt from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) with, appropriately for the evening, a Tea Cup at Cheer Camp.  A confession was necessary for this dastardly deed, and it was our resident law enforcement, Frank and Dylan who provided the clues to grill it out of Clayon… (even subjecting the audience to  an improvised cheer with choreography!)

Colleen, a High School Teacher of Social Studies was the subject of a “Doo Run” song performed by Frank, Stephanie, and Dylan.  Perhaps not true to life for Colleen, the song an off-the-cuff version of “some questionable teacher somewhere” whose students may have gotten more than they bargained for.  This teacher may have given new meaning to the words “Hall Pass”.

Dyal is interviewed by Neal with Vlad interpreting
in Visual Interpreter"

Running through the sets at break-neck speed the Bit Players threw in more bits to the delight of the audience.  “Visual Interpreter” played by Neal and Dylan and “interpreted by Vlad” was an interesting tale about Camping.  In this bit we saw Jean Claude Van Der Castle recapping his earlier life as a baby as he scaled the Pyrenees Mountains with his mother.  This seemed to whet young Van der Castle’s appetite as we saw him engaging a Sherpa in yet another expedition.  When the Sherpa proved a nuisance,  the baby clubbed him and stole his goat and continued on to become the man at the top of the mountain!
Watch the video - > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNkwCunl8v0&feature=plcp

Neal, Steph, and Dylan in "Bartender"

Neal, Steph, and Clayon in "Bartender"

Neal, Steph, and Frank in "Bartender"

“Bartender” a signature bit performed exclusively by The Bit Players featured Stephanie and Neal as Bartenders whose advice (in song) was sought by the patrons with “unique problems” provided them by the audience.  Dylan, whose mom was the school lunch lady realized that having a lunch lady mom was beneficial in that mom could take care of the bullies that picked on him.  Clayon, who was missing his spoons, learned the art of good manners to ask politely for a new utensil from his mom.  Frank may have swallowed a penny, but this may become a money-making venture for him as he was able to increase his investment 100% by extricating a dime.

Dylan and Frank as "Sportcasters"
with Neal and Clayon as athletes

Dylan "Serenades" audience member, Sean

In the second set we watched “Sportcasters” where the audience provided the suggestion of “Changing Diapers” as the sport of choice.  In this bit, Frank and Dylan (aka Chet and Chip Ripplebaum [ but not related]) announce the sport as it is taking place.  The Diaper Bowl was performed by Neal (aka Dr McGillicutty) who attended the Ukrranian School of Diapering and Clayon (aka Derrick Freeeeedom) from Boston, who perfected his art of diapering, coming up through the daycare ranks where he saw may “wicked good pissas”.

Audience member Sean was elected by his group to come on stage to celebrate his UnBirthday with the Bit Players, in a “Serenade” song about him.  We learned that Sean, originally from Italy is a deckhand on a boat who also enjoys playing the drums.  The Bit Player males (especially Italian-American, Frank) thought Sean to be a particularly attractive man and sang several stanzas of this improvised song about the possibility for a bro-mance with Sean.

Drank and Dylan "Tap the Audience", Katie and TJ

“Tap the Audience” was another bit that the audience gets to share the stage with the players.  In this bit about Chefs, audience members Katie and TJ participated, filling in dialog when the asked by Dylan and Frank.  Making da pizza pies, Frank (butchered), I mean spoke with, an Italian accent assisted by his side kick, Dylan.  There may have been a little more going on than just pizza being made as Frank wanted a little more than his dough to be kneaded.

The Bit Players ended the night on a smelly note, with a “Blues Song” about poor hygiene, only accentuating the chorus, “I’ve got the low-down DIRTY, poor hygiene blues…”

So go primp and polish.  And with a sparkling pinky finger extended, …  “If you liked the show, tell your friends…  If you hated it, tell your enemies!”

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 and information about all of the shows   401-849-FIRE (3473)  And it is always BYOB!