The Top Shows of 2009

Monday, December 28, 2009 by John Robison.

I know… too long since a blog entry. Things are busy here at the Imp… since the festival, we’ve been gearing up for the opening of the RI Coffee House, which opens Jan. 1. Cool!

I’ll do a quick series of entries here at the end of the year, because these topics appeal to the trend nerd within me… top 10 & bottom 10 shows (audience-wise, weighted by actual ticket sales) of 2009 as well as a little comparison with the top shows of past years. Here goes… enjoy!

10. Robot Parade/One: 8-28

A formula that’s worked really well here at the Imp is allowing improv students to defer payments in favor of bringing audience members to the shows they perform in. Some months they take advantage of it, and some months they don’t. August was a month the students brought their friends… and in force.  The next challenge: getting those folks to stay for the 9pm show. Poor One.

9.  Lawrence Public Library Double Header: 7-2

A great, fun show that took place during our extremely busy summer of private shows. Nifer, Ryan and myself performed energetic and catchy games for two packed houses of 90% kids under age 8 in Lawrence. We’re going to do more of these gigs in the summer of 2010, hopefully… ’cause now we’re really good at it.

8. ImpFest, Day 2: 10-23

Anyone who’s been a regular at the Imp cannot deny that our very first improv festival was awesome for audiences, performers, and the community. Our Friday lineup included some of the best groups in the city, and this special event really drew the crowds to come see them. We’re doing it again next October, so start gathering those audition videos!

7. RI’s Post-Holiday Headache/Trivial Prov-suit: 1-3

After the holidays, people evidently were really anxious to laugh, because there wasn’t anything particularly different about this show. I remember being completely surprised by the turnout for these shows, as well as for the shows throughout January. I don’t know if all Januaries will have such great audiences, but I can hope.

6. Dial-A-Show/Improv Jam: 11-14

The Improv Jam has been a big draw since its inception early on in the Imp’s existence. Its success is due in no small part to a group of friends that before and after each Jam gather at the home of what can only be called the most down-to-earth socialites in Bonner Springs. These folks are six tons of fun, and love being able to hop up on stage and have some fun.  I am proud to have these folks as friends, and I am glad that they consider the theater to be a friend of theirs as well. In case you’re wondering, I would do almost anything these people ask… and that’s why we always end with “I Like My Women.” I’m just lucky that’s all they’ve asked me to do so far.

5. ‘Arold/Omega Directive: 1-24

Part of the awesome January we had as well as a great turnout for a class show, the #5 show of the year took us by surprise again. I don’t anticipate changing the class show format… but I do anticipate adding more classes in 2010, including an advanced class. Interested? Let me know!

4. Arnold/Omega Directive: 11-28

That’s right… another class show. I was still surprised, as this show happened during Thanksgiving weekend. I thought that we might get some families looking for something to do all together, and was thrilled to have an entire church group make reservations. Never underestimate the need for family-friendly entertainment. It still vexes me a bit that Omega Directive has such a great cast and such great shows, but attracts pitiful audiences. We’re going to have to change that in 2010.

3. RI’s Post-Holiday Headache/Improv Jam: 1-17

Thank you Lynches. We love performing for you. We also are learning to love January.

2. Robot Parade/Improv Survivor: 4-24

Class shows are awesome. And it’s nice that Improv Survivor got to be on the list. April was one of the shows that was really top-notch quality, too, so that’s even better.

And… the #1 show of 2010:

1. ImpFest Day 3: 10-24

With a lineup of performers like Dictionary Soup, Coma Chameleon, One, Improv-Abilities and Brownies Don’t Lie, everyone wanted to be here, and everyone was. The house was packed, and the groups delivered a hell of a show. If one more person had come to the door, they would have been turned away… not a single seat was left… not even for other cast members or staff members. I personally crouched on the floor near the exit, and was happy to do it.

This has been a spectacular year at the Roving Imp. We performed on 92 different nights, and performed or hosted a total of 170 shows during that time. We’ve created comedy, art, and comedic art, which is pretty special… if it were easy to keep an improv theater open, they would be everywhere. Thanks to everyone who helped make our theater successful this year, and let’s hope for even more success next year.

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