Jet City Improv to Present BLAK CLOUD, Begin. 10/3

Just in time for Halloween and Thanksgiving, the fall harvest of comedy at Jet City Improv has brought in a crop of hysteria, mob rule, black magic and Puritans. Jet City Improv is proud to present the world premier of Blak Cloud, the improvised Salem witch trial that puts the fate of the characters in the hands of the audience.

Set in the fall of 1692, this unscripted play follows the life, trial, and judgment of Sarah Good, a Puritan woman taken to court on charges of witchcraft. Each night's audience plays the role of the town of Salem, bringing accusations of witchcraft upon Sarah and eventually deciding if she burns at the stake. Every performance will feature a new tale of superstition, betrayal, and mob rule as the characters surrounding Sarah weave together the stories behind the accusations, complete with secret motives and tragic downfalls leading up to the finAl Verdict.

"I wanted to make a show that gave the audience uncomfortable choices," says creator and director Graham Downing, who pulled inspiration from both Arthur Miller's The Crucible and the black magic psych rock of the band Coven."How far they want to go, how deep they wish to accuse, is up to them. Even in the comfort of theatre are we willing to succumb to our insanities just to fit in?"

The cast of Blak Cloud features a variety of Seattle's best improvisers and actors: Phill Arensberg (JCI's Lost Folio), Molly Arkin (JCI's Austen Translation), Jon Axell (JCI's Austen Translation), Britney Barber (JCI's World's Fair), Adina Gillett (JCI's Final Transmission), Mike Murphy (JCI's Uncle Mike Ruins Christmas), Katy Nuttman (JCI's World's Fair), Laurel Ryan (Unexpected Productions), Laura Turner (JCI's World's Fair), and Elicia Wickstead (JCI's Austen Translation, Unexpected Productions). It is directed by Graham Downing (director of JCI's Go Tigers). The show features costume design by Michelle Cooper, set design by Max Kraushaar and Chazz Kaskes, and technical direction by Anthony van Winkle.

The production runs Thursday and Friday nights from Oct 3 to Nov 22 with a special Opening Night Gala on Oct 3 featuring a Q & A with the actors followed by complimentary cake and champagne. There are no performances on Oct 24 and 25. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 (with ID) for students, seniors, and military personnel and TPS members. The show will feature loud music and strobe effects that may be frightening for younger audiences.

Photo by Jon Axell

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