A Review of the Brand New Middlesex Improv Show

A brand new improv show has been added to the variety of theater productions of the Middlesex school year! Was it a success that will carry on in future years?

The Middlesex Theater 90 class has been part of the school curriculum for many years, with each class composed of talented senior students who are dedicated to the art of acting. This year, for the first time, the Theater 90 class worked hard to prepare an incredible improv show for our community to enjoy. 

The show was delightfully different from any other show that our theater program presents. As an improv show, it was dynamic, laidback, and included some fun participation from the audience. Held in the intimate atmosphere of the Fort, the actors sat in two rows on either side of the stage and asked for the audience members to begin shouting out words. Audrey Tang’s word, “Jet-Lag” was selected, and the actors then sat for a moment, thinking of personal stories they had that were related to the chosen word. Anton Balyuk began by telling the audience a story about a journey he took on a plane when he was younger. After a short pause, another actor stood up and began a scene based on Anton’s story. Other Theater 90 students joined in until the scene was declared over, and another related scene began. After three of these interconnected scenes and another story, three more related scenes ensued, all related to Claire Stone’s embarrassing bathroom experience as a toddler at daycare. After a few scenes followed Tom Kane’s final story about a funny moment on one of his many Middlesex trips to London, the cast performed one last improvisation, including parts of every previous scene and incorporating every actor in the Theater 90 class.

The show was incredibly humorous and entertaining from start to finish. Each story told and scene performed had the crowd roaring with laughter. I was hooked from the beginning, and when the short show ended in under an hour, I certainly wished it would have gone on for longer. Not only was the show funny, but the sheer talent of the actors was extremely impressive. Each scene was completely improvised, based on the first word given by the audience and the scenes that came after it; every story was thought of completely on the spot. As a member of the Friday night Improv Club, I am aware of how difficult it is to act, especially when you have to think of everything you do and say on the fly. In disbelief at how seamlessly the Theater 90 actors pulled off their amazing show, I even had to confirm with my friends in the class that everything really was improvised.

This casual yet incredibly thorough show is something that I hope the Theater 90 class continues to perform in future years. I strongly urge all members of the Middlesex community to come out and see it: you are sure to get a good laugh.

Florence Morlock