Game On: Improv's first performance a success

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Random lines and awkward situations filled Orndorff Theater with laughter at Game On: Improv’s first performance night of the semester.

The group acted out scenes for different games in a “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”-style show, given audience input to help select locations, occupations, characters, strange addictions and even humorous deaths.

Game On performed about 15 games on Friday night, and if compared with “Whose Line,” President Dan Lidgren is Drew Carey.

Punctuality and censorship were Lidgren’s tasks, as he acted as a ring-leader at the show to round up the rowdy performers and audience members.

The 15 games only fit in one hour as Lidgren kept the crew on task and silenced topics too boring or ridiculous for the actors to represent.

As for wacky ideas that may have pushed the envelope or been considered too controversial, Lidgren pulled the plug.

“I don’t want people to feel like not laughing because they’ve been in that situation before,” Lidgren said.

“People will try to be offensive just to be funny, and that’s not something we want to do. We want to be funny in a safe and encouraging environment that really promotes quality entertainment.”

This does not mean the show was tame, however. Actors depicted a cat jumping into an open-heart surgery, burning down the Forbidden City, MTV’s Steve-O as a priest, and bad advice on handling a family member on life support.

Game On has three to four shows a semester. The next is on Friday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m. in McFeely’s Coffeehouse (CUB)

Later this semester, Act 5 Productions cast members of “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will join Game On to perform a joint-improv show with the hope of strengthening participation, especially in the audience.

“More people in the crowd equals more interactivity,” co-president Andy Davies said.