Magnet Theater Blog: News and Ideas about Comedy, Improv Shows & Classes in NYC

Last night the Magnet expanded its musical improv program by doubling the number of Musical Megawatt teams. We saw the premiere of new teams Atticus, Legend, and the Montels, playing alongside vet teams Aquarius, Mint Condition, and BEEES!

Michael Martin kicks off Musical Megawatt

At the beginning of the night, the director of the musical program Michael Martin talked about how, seven years ago, Tara Copeland and Frank Spitznagel offered a musical improv elective, and how the program has since blossomed into six teams, dozens of performers, and hundreds of students.

New team Atticus took the stage first, telling the tale of Solomon Mann, whose spiritual journey brought him to indigent, indigenous, indignant Native Americans; to Arkansas’s only midnight improv theater; to Penelope the Corn Goddess.

Photo from the Magnet Theater’s Instagram feed

Drew Tarvin’s puns for this show are:

1. Tickets disappear in a puff of smoke, so be sure to make reservations.
2. So confident they’ll never Atticus Flinch.
3. Some of the best meta improv you’ve ever Arkansas.
4. A harrowing tale about taking on the Mann
5. If the show is sold out, better try to scalp some tickets.

Photo from the Magnet Theater’s Instagram feed

Drew Tarvin’s puns for this show are:

1. The perfect conditions for great improv–you’ll go mint-al.
2. Pony up $7 and saddle up for one heck of a ride.
3. Around award season, expect this team to win a My Little Tony.
4. They may talk abut the S.A.T. but you wont be sitting when this one is over.
5. Get schooled on performing improv with class, Mint Conditon packs some principow!

The worst picture of Lorraine I could find

Drew Tarvin’s puns for this show are:

1. Caution: funny times a head.
2. This little piggy went “Oui! Oui! Oui!” all the way home.
3. What a hoot!
4. This show will leave you in a body caste.
5. Get out a map because this is one Legend you want to see.

Musical Director Frank Spitznagel!

Musical Megawatt’s MOST VETERAN TEAM Beees went on next, performing a slice-of-life set taking place in a Rite Aid. From the suggestion of the theme of “jealousy,” we saw the Rite Aid manager who liked passing along his grandfather’s advice in “talksies” with his employees; Karen (the most veteran Rite Aid employee), who was unsure about the mysteries of sex; a gay couple who just broke up after two and half years. Remember: don’t dig a hole if you already have one in the backyard.

The Magnet’s Most Veteran Musical Megawatt Team

Drew Tarvin’s puns for this show are:

1. This team shows there aint nothin wrong with a little bump and Grindr.
2. They may be called Beees but I give them an A.
3. Stop digging for better improv, this team has the hole package.
4. Is this team from Nevada because they left me green with NV.
5. Bad improv left you feeling hurt? Beees has the Rite Aid.

New team the Montels were next, and from the suggestion of “candy” took us into Candyland, where tooth fairies worried for their existence, salads and health food were on the rise, people read Candy Gawker, and Colonel Custard waged war against Colonel Kale.

Colonel Custard and Colonel Kale battle for Candyland

Drew Tarvin’s puns for this show are:

1. Grab some popcorn because these colonels are ready to pop.
2. All kale the chiefs of great improv!
3. Funny as health.
4. With a team this funny, it’s no wonder Mon tells.
5. Yes We Can-dy.

Clean comic Brian Regan and an old couple waiting for a bus

Drew Tarvin’s puns for this show are:

1. It’s fun for Aquari-you, it’s fun for Aquari-me, it’s fun for Aquari-us.
2. This comedy equals tragedy + rhyme.
3. There’s nothing Rocky about this show, it’s out of this world.
4. The character impersonations will make you stand-up as they get the play-wright.
5. No need to shake your spears, this show completely works.

Congratulations to all the new teams who debuted last night! Musical Megawatt is now expanded to four shows a night: two shows at 7pm and two shows at 8:30pm. Check the calendar for showtimes!

It’s an exciting week in the musical improv world, as Magnet welcomes to the stage three brand spanking new Musical Megawatt house teams ready to rock your socks off.  All teams will make their debut Tuesday, July 11th, along with Musical Megawatt stalwarts Mint Condition, Aquarius, and Beees! $7 gets you in the whole night!  Raucous party to follow for sure.  Check out the schedule and oggle the stacked teams below, and we’ll see you tomorrow night for the big debut!

7pm – Mint Condition & Team Oprah
8:30pm – Beees! & Team Tyra
10pm – Aquarius & Team Montel

TEAM OPRAH
Chano Garcia
John Heffley
T.J. Mannix
Maya Deshmukh
Robin Rothman
Joel Arandia
Brad Benson
Ren McDermott

TEAM MONTEL
Richard Dery
Oleg Slinin
Shaun Farrugia
Chris Simpson
Olivia Petzy
Andrew Cornelius
Ariana Murphy
Susan Pickover

TEAM TYRA
Kirk Damato
Leslie Collins
Roman Pietrs
Douglas Widick
Gretchen Poole
Lorraine Cink
Jordan Hirsch
Abby Holland

GAY BOMB: THE MUSICAL will be having its final show this Friday night, June 29th at 8:30pm at the Magnet Theater.  Tickets are going fast, so get them now before the show sells out!  Psssst … if you want discount tickets for $7, use the code “POTUS Felching” when you buy your tickets HERE.

Directed by Michael Martin, with music by Frank Spitznagel.  Book and lyrics by Chris Friden and Steve Whyte.

Starring: Andrew Fafoutakis, Dreagn Foltz, Ben Jones, Michael Lutton, Jen Sanders, TJ Mannix, Oscar Montoya, Dave Tomczak and Woody Fu.

In case you’ve missed the earlier installments of the Magnet Blog’s interview with GAY BOMB co-writer, Steve Whyte, here they are: Part 1 and Part 2.  And now, our third and final installment of the interview.

The Armando Diaz Experience! Choral Rage! New Musical Teams!

Magnet Theater June 27, 2012      Featured Shows   The legendary show is reborn by the man who made it famous. A rotating cast of all-stars perform scenes inspired by the masterful monologues of the man himself, the Magnet’s own, Armando Diaz. Featuring: Tami Sagher, Ed Herbstman, Christina Gausas Sunday, July 1st 8:00pm For more information, click here! CHORAL RAGE! Join RAGE for their closing night as they dabble in the world of experimental musical improvisation and theatrical exploration. Saturday June 30th 9pm Click here for more information!   MAGNET CLASSES Level One for Experienced Improvisors   How are your fundamentals? It’s easy for experienced improvisers to underestimate the importance of the basics. The truly great performers, however, develop discipline in the fundamentals of good improv and return continuously to them for inspiration. This class is designed to bring experienced improvisers back to the beginning to reconnect with what’s essential and to develop the good habits and skills that will serve you for as long as you continue to improvise. Prerequisite: A year or more of improv training.   Click here to register.      Upcoming Congratulations to the new Musical Megawatt teams! Get ready for the Tuesday, July 10th premieres! TEAM OPRAH Chano Garcia John Heffley T.J. Mannix Maya Deshmukh Robin Rothman Joel Arandia Brad Benson Ren McDermott TEAM MONTEL Richard Dery Oleg Slinin Shaun Farrugia Chris Simpson Olivia Petzy Andrew Cornelius Ariana Murphy Susan Pickover TEAM TYRA Kirk Damato Leslie Collins Roman Pietrs Douglas Widdick Gretchen Poole Lorraine Cink Jordan Hirsch Abby Holland

As New York City Pride kicks off this weekend, the Magnet Theater is proud to present Pride Night 2012!  We’ve got a sparkly line-up of shows tonight that highlight LGTBQ issues and LGBTQ performers, with lots of sketch, music, and improv. Let’s take a walk across the rainbow, shall we?

At 7pm, we have the one-man show, Cock of the Walk. Written and performed by Athos Cakiades, and directed by Kelly Haran, Cock of the Walk introduces you to five characters that explore masculinity and the male psyche in ways that will tickle your funny bone. It promises to be “pretty dirty” and “rather gay,” which is our idea of a good time at the Magnet Theater on a Friday night.  Also, it’s a Time Out New York Critics’ Pick!

At 8:30pm, Gay Bomb: The Musical returns to the Magnet stage for its June run. Check out all the media attention, from the featured article on the front page of EDGE New York, to the blurb in Chelsea Now. There are only four shows left, so if you haven’t gotten GAY BOMBed yet, it is highly recommended that you come see the show very soon. And (shhhhh!) we’ve got a secret discount code for $7 tickets. Please enter “POTUS Felching” when you buy your tickets here.

Friday, 6/15, 8:30pm
Monday, 6/18, 8:30pm
Friday, 6/22, 8:30pm
Friday, 6/29, 8:30pm (Closing Night)

Directed by Michael Martin, with music by Frank Spitznagel, and book and lyrics by Chris Friden and Steve Whyte.

Starring: Andrew Fafoutakis, Dreagn Foltz, Ben Jones, Michael Lutton, Jen Sanders, TJ Mannix, Oscar Montoya, Dave Tomczak and Woody Fu.

At 10pm, we have a special Made-Up Musical with a cast of LGBTQ performers, all from Musical Megawatt house teams: Melissa Gordon, Oscar Montoya, Andrew Fafoutakis, T.J. Mannix, Michael Lutton, and Catherine Wing.   You can’t have a full night of LGBTQ comedy without musical improv, right?

The LGBTQ cast of tonight's Made-Up Musical

All the singing and dancing and Broadway jazz hands will get you nicely warmed up for the final show of the night.

At 11:30pm, There’s No Place Like Home presents a GLTBQ All-Star Improv Event.  Andrew Fafoutakis hosts a special night of homo hilarity with a cast of improv superstars: Bianca Casusol, Kevin Gilligan, Melissa Gordon, Scott Lawrie, Michael Lutton, T.J. Mannix, Michael Martin, Oscar Montoya, Louie Pearlman, Nathan Peterman, Emily Schorr Lesnick, Emily Shapiro, Steven Slate, Lauren Ashley Smith, Catherine Wing, and a Super Special Guest!  It’s a fantastic and fun way to end Pride Night 2012.  But don’t just take our word for it.  Check it out — There’s No Place Like Home is a Time Out New York Critics’ Pick!  Come on by and celebrate Pride with us tonight!

Jazz Freddy! Pride Night! The Circuit!

Magnet Theater June 13, 2012      Featured Shows   “Jazz Freddy” is the fifth installment of The Director Series, a 4-week series of performances wherein a Director selects a cast and presents a different form. This month Charlie Whitcroft is directing “Jazz Freddy.” The show first centers on the past, present and future of one character and then spirals into an exploration of the character’s world. Thursdays in July 10pm For more information, click here! Magnet Theater Presents:  Pride Night 2012 Join Magnet Theater for a night of all-star GLBTQ programing.  Featuring:   *Time Out New York Critic’s Pick!*     Friday, June 15th shows at 7, 8:30, 10, 11:30

 

 

 

MAGNET CLASSES

Magnet Summer Intensive: Become an Excellent Improvisor.     Immerse yourself in improvisation for three weeks in Magnet Theater’s Improv Summer Intensive. Students will study improv 25 hours per week, completing 3 full levels of Magnet improv training in only three weeks. The intensive program concludes with a student graduation show, directed by Magnet founder Armando Diaz.   Students who complete the intensive will be eligible to start at Level 4 in the Magnet program. Click here to register.

MAGNET NEWS

The Circuit Is Back!   New Circuit Teams?  Yes!  Apply Now.   The next round of The Circuit begins July 13th! The Circuit features Harold teams made-up of both current Magnet students and veteran Magnet performers. Anyone who has completed Magnet Level 3 or higher (and is not currently on a Megawatt team or in Team Performance Workshop) can apply. Performers will be chosen randomly by lottery. Teams will rehearse weekly with an assigned coach and have a 3 month run of shows on Friday nights at the Studio Theater. Want to apply, fill out this form: Circuit Application Deadline to apply is June 23rd.  Do it now!!  And good luck.   Magnet Training Center   Hiring Part-Time Assistant Magnet Training Center  has a part-time position opening! Position: Part-Time Magnet Training Center Assistant Hours: 10-15 Hours/Week; Thursdays 1pm-7pm and Sundays 11am-7pm* Duties: Answer phones/field questions, clerical assistant work, organizing, supervise on duty interns, cleaning/organizing *Hours are subject to change. To apply for this position, please email your resume and cover letter to Kim@magnettheater.com. We will only contact those who we are considering for the position. No calls, please.

Upcoming

Coming In July… SKETCH SUNDAY