BWW Preview: JANE AUSTEN UNSCRIPTED--Theatre/Literature Double Majors Rejoice!

What is Jane Austen UnScripted? Could it actually be a performance-based dalliance into the charmingly erudite world of Austenian wit and social propriety, executed via complete improvisation? Could it be a charismatic and unique rendition of a totally original Austen-style story, performed and written simultaneously during stage action? Theatre/Literature Double Majors rejoice! Jane Austen UnScripted, produced by Instant Karma Improv Comedy, is coming to the New Vic on March 27th and 28th.

Improvisational theatre is always impressive: the performers must be intelligent, quick-witted, and creative to quickly comprehend dramatic situations as they unfold--and then create consequent actions, reactions, and punch lines from unrehearsed material. All improv requires a keen intellect, but I'm especially fascinated by the concept of improvising work in the styles of great literary artists. In a situation like Jane Austen UnScripted, not only must the performers be talented in the art of improvisation, but also well-versed in the style of Jane Austen's writing. Jane Austen UnScripted won't have a table of contents to follow, but it can't run too far astray from the original concepts of Austen's work. If the homage is unrecognizable, the referencial humor will fail. It's an ambitious and exciting undertaking: the conception and performance of Jane Austen UnScripted will be an organic experience that will allow both the performers and audience to exist, if for only a few hours, in Austen's literary universe.

Impro Theatre is a critically acclaimed improvisational theatre company that has performed at South Coast Repertory, The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, North Coast Repertory in San Diego, Falcon Theatre in Burbank, and The Pasadena Playhouse, as well as venues around the world, including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, The Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, The Melbourne Fringe in Australia, and Theatre Adyar in Paris. Featuring a rotating cast including: Kari Coleman, Lisa Fredrickson, Kelly Holden-Bashar, Brian Michael Jones, Stephen Kearin, Brian Lohmann, Nick Massouh, Jo McGinley, Dan O'Connor, Edi Patterson, Paul Rogan, Ryan Smith, Michele Spears, and Floyd VanBuskirk. Directed by Dan O'Connor and Paul Rogan.

Part of the delight of theatre is the in-the-moment quality of live performance: every show is unique. Improvisational theatre takes this quality to the extreme: In Jane Austen UnScripted, every show is unique to the point where the only consistent structure is the adherence to Austen's literary aesthetic. This performance promises to be an intelligent and witty re-imagination of the well-known world of Austen's work. It's a theatrical event sure to be spontaneous, entertaining, and delightfully authentic. Impro Theatre's Jane Austen UnScripted runs for two nights only! Don't miss this unique theatrical performance!

Friday, March 27th & Saturday, March 28th at 8:00pm
The New Vic Theater

http://www.improvcomedysb.com

For Tickets (805) 965-5400 or email: boxoffice@etcsb.org
$35.00 - General Admission and $29.75 - Students w/ID
Special Group rate (8 or more) - $29.75 each