In the spirit of Halloween, the Bit Players pulled out all the stops. Check out this video and watch as the Bit Players “morph” into their alter-spooky-egos (Click the link here -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9mpxaKCrKI&feature=plcp )
The nearly capacity crowd for the special Halloween Bit Players Show was decked out in the craziest, zaniest, spookiest costumes, and their energy was running on high octane (or that may have been from the sugar rush they were experiencing with all of the candy they were given /sometimes pelted with by The Bit Players), including our Hurricane Sandy refugee students from NYU. Having received their treats, the audience was primed and ready for some improv comedy tricks!
Performing tonight, and also donning costumes were host, Frank Fusaro, dressed as a fisherman (to compliment his girl, Lindsey’s beautiful mermaid), Vlad Tenenbaum was dressed as a Russian Army Officer, Dylan Eberle was impersonating John Lennon, Clayon McFarlane was clothed as a zombie skeleton, Stephanie Conrad sported a zebra costume (who is dating a clown – fellow Bit Player Matt), and Jim Foley imitated the life of a hipster(who apparently has a penchant for creepy dolls – his girlfriend Jess) .
Other Bit Players who greeted guests, handed out treats, and were tonight’s costume judges, were Neal Leaheey masquerading as a victim of a Slasher /Zombie Apocalypse film(appropriately matching his gal, Zombie woman, Lisa) Lobo Linhares dressed as “The Doctor”, Jessica Bradley, as a funky princess with vertical stripe issues, and behind the scenes in the production booth, Patrick Duggan as a SIM.
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| The Bit Players perform "Ghost Story, Die!" |
The show started off with “Ghost Story Die”. In this bit the players tell a collective story, but are at the mercy of Vlad’s fickle finger. When Vlad is pointing at a player they must continue the story. If at any moment the player falters, Vlad can “Kill them off”. With the audience suggestions of Mitt with his binder on Jupiter , the Bit Players delighted the audience with their own version of a certain politician’s latest gaffe, “Binders Full of Women”.
“Haunted House” was up next. In this bit one of the players (Stephanie) has inherited a mansion. However, in order obtain her inheritance Stephanie learns from the butler (played by Vlad) that she must stay one night in the house with its ghostly inhabitants. Suggestions for ghosts provided by the audience were Dylan as the ghost of Moses, Jim as the ghost of Paul Giamatti, and Clayon as the ghost of LL Cool J. Stephanie must guest the identity of each of the ghosts during her night in the haunted house. Watch the hysterics that take place along the way: (Click the link to watch –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Cc24DxFOo&feature=plcp )
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| Frank Fusaro, Clayon McFarlane, Jim Foley, and Dylan Eberle perform "Irish Drinking Song" |
“Irish Drinking Song” is a musical game sung in an Irish limerick style. In this bit, the audience provided the suggestions of a name and occupation (Jerry the Garbage man). Frank, Jim, Dylan, and Clayon delighted the crowd by improvising a song about Jerry and his odd date in his garbage truck; that was until the police showed up, and broke up Jerry’s night of passion.
The Musical bit, “Doo Wop” song featured Jim Stephanie, Frank and Dylan. In this bit the audience suggested the topic of the Jack O’Lantern. Watch as the Bit Players create an improvised song all about this Halloween inspired theme. (Click here to watch the video -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym8f-Lnsh0E&feature=plcp )
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| The Bit Players perform "Chainsaw Massacre" - Yes, this is The Shake Weight! |
A bit that was retrieved from the dusty confines of the Bit Players attic, “Chainsaw Massacre” was thrown in the rotation. Similar to the childhood game, “Broken Telephone” each player must relay information to the next as they came into the room, but only through the use of mime. The audience suggestions of “A Presidential Debate” for the location, an occupation of a Bus Driver, and the Shake Weight as the object were all fodder for some hilarious improvised mime sketches. The crowds particularly loved the mimed exchanges for the Shake Weight.
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| The Bit Players in "Telethon" |
“Telethon” is another musical bit where the players hold a fictional fundraiser for a cause. Hosted by Vlad, tonight’s cause was “Super Heroes” . To entice the viewers to call in and pledge money, the entertainment for the evening had Stephanie wailing “Country”, Clayon resonating with “Reggae” and the trio of Jim, Dylan, and Frank crooning, grunting, and groaning to the styles of Michael Bolton, Death Metal, and Louis Armstrong.
The audience was thrilled that the hour long show ran well over its allotted time, as they like the Bit Players were having so much fun they didn’t want it to end. But, alas… all good things must come to an end, and the Bit Players suitably ended the night with a “Blues Song” all about Halloween.
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| Our Audience recieves prizes for their costumes! |
After the show, the Bit Players awarded some amazing prizes for our spectacular costume contest. A BIG Thank You to Corner Cafe, Salvation Cafe, The Fifth Element, Ben's Chili Dogs, THE FASTNET PUB, Pour Judgement, Malt on Broadway, and of course, our friends at Jack Wills Newport for their generosity! AND Thanks to our audience for being great sports and coming out to the Firehouse Theater in full costume regalia. There were so many awesome costumes, and it was difficult to judge winners.
From Birthdays, Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties, Anniversaries and even marriage proposals, want to arrange a unique event for someone special? Why not show your love or appreciation for that certain someone, LIVE onstage! Bring your friend or loved one to the Bit Players show, and celebrate in a one-of-a-kind way. Contact the theater for information on how we can help you plan and make your event special!
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!
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