Paul M.
Yelp
I saw a show here for the first time recently. On one level, I love Mick's books and what he's added to the improv conversation. On the other hand, I was disappointed by most of the improvisers in the show, and by the sloppiness on display throughout. Most of the performers were just not fully committed or dedicated to ensemble. Almost everyone seemed out for themselves (which I know is part of the Annoyance thing, but its limits become clear quickly).
Also, there were a surprisingly high amount of homophobic gay jokes and interrupting of women of color by smug old white dudes sitting on their laurels. Sorry, but I don't need to see or hear "faggot" being used as a slur in a 2022 improv show. Seriously, why? Also, let the gay dudes on stage initiate a scene rather than steamrolling over them. I feel bad that this is supposedly one of the queerer improv theatres in town. Maybe that's just the state of comedy now, but I feel like the queer performers deserved better.
Hopefully it was just the show I saw, and maybe some of it is my own taste, but I just expected a higher level of professionalism and respect for the art form, and more committed scenework/ensemble in general. A few really good diamonds in the cast, though, all of whom deserved to be in a better show.