Up close & personal
Brody Theater provides winning stage ticket!
Brody Theater: An "on-stage" spectator laughs on as the Brody performers l-r, Kerry Leek, Tom Johnson, Darel Olson, Melloney Harmon, salute the "farce of her family" skit.
(Photo by Elizabeth Fontana)
Seriously, no-one, especially you dear reader, should ever have this much fun. The Brody Theater has re-opened as of January, 2009, at its new location at 16 N.W. Broadway. The seating for 75 is clean, intimate and unobstructed, featuring a full bar and eats within the viewing area. With its background walls of olive-colored Shakespearian lighting and platform stage, the cast and crew bring your entertainment up-close and personal.
On July 23, 1886, Steve Brodie leapt off the Brooklyn Bridge in New York to win a bet. Since then, Brody has been synonymous with anything that is outlandish or dare-devil in nature. As everyone knows, this is perhaps one of the worst years ever to start a business. To do so is considered by many to be on par with Brody's bet on the bridge. However, the Brody Theater's strengths, both in performance and business management, just might be the winning ticket. Owner/Manager and Artistic Director Tom Johnson and his crews bring happiness to the fortunate people who find their way to the Brody and allow others to experience the limelight,
For some time now, places like Mississippi Studios and the Doug Fir Lounge have become well-known benchmarks to see if musicians have the make-or-break goods. The Brody likewise wise-guys now provide the same standards for comics and thespians.
Spectator Lisa Taylor remarks, "This would be a great place to have work groups come and learn team-building. By taking one of the workshops, people would learn positive ways to work together, outside of the box." Owner Johnson chimes in with, "Techniques taught here teach a person how to unlearn all the inhibitions that block successful creativity."
In April, some of the theater troop regulars were seen strutting their stuff. Emcee Bryan MacMillan went through the intros as Jim Waiganb, Lisa Bross, brilliantly sharp Marylyn Devine, Tom Greblo and Kerry Leek fired off their comic features. Special guests such as Darel Olson from comedy team Brainwaves and Shoebox, or Melloney Harmon from Canoeful, were on hand to add their gifted bits of banter as well.
In addition to "sport," which features team-against-team short skits and audience interaction, long-form comedy is also practiced. This is when comedy crews such as Blood Sports with Elicia Wickstead, Brandon Feckler and Michael White take a theme suggestion and turn it into a movie spoof.
Other groups that play in and out of the theater include the Upright Citizens Brigade; the Liberators, Roy Zimmerman, Diabolical Experiments. On May 14 only, Unitard will be flying in (or taking a bus) for a special engagement from New York. Also, for any historians out there, they have a special feature called Doomed to Repeat It, where historical periods selected by the audience a week prior are researched and presented in comic form.
Here is a little secret and perhaps the best part of all: You, too can get into the act! Starting on May 2, classes of four-week intervals will begin, so sign up now. These courses are based on three levels of stage experience. From neophyte to expert, anyone, even you, can join the fun. So, if you are tired of the doldrums, get down to Brody's for some spinning good times. The Brody Theater is at 16 N.W. Broadway. Call 503-224-2227 for special arrangements or check online at Brodytheater.com.