This post was written by
admin on September 22, 2009
Posted Under:
Classes
We have the most experienced improv instructors in the Philadelphia area. Period.- We are the only improv school in the area teaching musical improv.
- Our classes are great for anyone from beginners to experienced improvisers
- Improv training makes you a stronger more present actor, and most of our instructors are professional actors.
- Improv classes help you lose weight.
- Better than Match.com.
- ComedySportz Philadelphia classes focus on the basics of improv – character, scenework, active listening.
- Improv training lowers your “bad cholesterol.”
- Learn how to think on your feet and trust your instincts.
- Laugh at yourself, and others in a fun, supportive environment.
- Develop a skill you didn’t know you have!
Classes are forming now for the Fall! Check out our full course listing, and sign up for a class.
This month we are featuring 2 players – 
Tom and Micheline McManus. Together, their combined years in ComedySportz is 23. Obviously, they have left quite a mark on our company. They do it all – play, ref, voice. Heck, they even got engaged on our very stage! Sadly, they will be leaving our fair city to move to Baltimore, so this month marks the end of their regular performances with us. We felt this was a good time to interview them together, and ask more than our usual 10 questions. Be sure to catch their final shows! Tom will be playing Saturday June 6th. Micheline will be playing Saturday June 13th. And BOTH will be in the shows on June 20th.
1. Your name and nickname
Micheline “Murf” McManus
Tom “Mad Dog” McManus
2. Your player #
23
9
1995
1994
4. High School attended
Iowa City West High (IA), St. Andrew’s Sewanee (TN)
Dover-Sherborn Regional High School, Dover MA
5. College (and grad school) attended
Swarthmore College
University of Pennsylvania (’94) Teachers College (’09)
6. Favorite CSz game
Blind Line
Say What?
7. Favorite memory involving a fan
Getting to watch a fan propose to his sweetie onstage in Hey Waiter. “Hey waiter, there’s a ring in my soup!”
Being told I improv like a girl during a remote. I’ve never had such a compliment. This was the same show for a “weight loss camp” where we were advised to avoid food references. When we asked for a fictional character, they yelled “Mrs. Butterworth!”
8. Memorable show moment
When fellow CSZer Tom McManus asked me to marry him during a game of Quick Change in a show. I was wearing a yellow shower cap on my head. I may never forgive him for the shower cap, but I married him.
Proposing to Micheline on stage!
9. Interesting fact (or 2) about yourself
In the summers during college I worked on the grounds crew scraping dead animals off the road. My nickname was “squirrely.” Also, I was once a pinch runner for Ernie Banks in a celebrity softball game. He’s nice.
I once was part of a full on musical number in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. My nickname in elementary school was “Scarf.”
10. Voted Most Likely To…
Get a brown bag.
Forgive Dave Jadico’s Mom.
11. How has being in CSz affected your lives thus far?
CSZ gave me a husband, and an awesome surrogate family! I’d say the impact has been pretty huge.
More ways than I can count. The people of CSZ have been as close as family since the early days. We’ve been through all the most joyous and difficult of life experiences together. I’ve come to know them as people of high integrity, enormous caring, and pain-in-my side irrevrant humor.
12. What will you miss the most about CSz?
The family part. I’ll never find a funnier, smarter, nicer group of people.
I don’t intend to lose touch with the people so I’m not going there. I will miss knowing there is a space where I can go and play on a Tuesday and Saturday night without worrying about anything other than creating and laughing together.
13. Murf – do you have an embarrassing story (CSz related) about Tom? Tom – do you have one about Murf?
Nothing embarrasses Tom, which is his genius. I think the time he was upstaged at a CSZ remote by family of mascot owls was pretty embarrassing, but sometimes you just have to admit that you’re not as funny as a costume.
I think she was genuinely embarassed by being proposed to with a shower cap on. Beyond that, no one can get to Murf but Murf. Don’t cross her on stage- she’ll cut you!
14. Your onstage engagement was the memorable show moment for several players. How does it feel to know that?
Awwwww….it was one of the most important moments in my life, and I’m glad to have shared it with such incredible folks.
Warm and fuzzy. It is a testament to what CSZ has meant to us that I don’t think either of us can imagine that proposing is something some people do in private without 20-30 of their best friends to help!
15. Will you be back?
Of course, Tournament 2010 baby!!
Like a bad penny, we will keep turning up.
We are having a summer ticket sale!
For a limited time, you will be able to purchase $8 tickets for use at any regular Saturday show from June 13 – September 5.
What you need to do: click the link below and order as many tickets as you would like. You will have the option to have the tickets mailed to you, or you can pick them up at the box office starting Saturday June 13. If you would like to ensure seating, we recommend you contact us to let us know how many seats you would like for a specific show. Tickets expire on September 6.
You must hurry! These $8 tickets are only available for purchase until 11:50pm Tuesday June 9th, and they cannot be combined with any other offer.
UPDATE: Offer has expired. Thanks to everyone who bought tickets!
Join the Cast of ComedySportz Philly! We are holding auditions the weekend of April 25th
Interested in joining Philadelphia’s top improv comedy theater company? ComedySportz is having auditions on April 25th, with callbacks on April 26th. Applicants will be required to reserve a 10 minute audition block in the morning or afternoon on Saturday April 25th at the Adrienne Theatre (2030 Sansom Street, in Center City Philadelphia). If you are called back for the second day, April 26th, you will be required to attend a two-hour group audition, either during the morning (10:00 am to 12:00 noon) or the afternoon (1:00 pm to 3:00 pm).
It’s improv, so no preparation is necessary except a willingness to be spontaneous. Improv experience is welcome, but not required—we are just as interested in raw potential. Head shots are accepted, but also not required. Some pay is involved for privately booked shows and those cast will be required to participate in a five-month training program before performing live.
To reserve an audition slot, please e-mail auditions@comedysportzphilly.com. (Slots are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.)
Some general information about ComedySportz Philly:
ComedySportz is competitive comedy now being performed in 21 cities across the country and in the UK. Philadelphia performs every Saturday at 7:30 and 10:00 at the Adrienne theater. We also regularly book private shows for corporations, schools, individuals, etc. The show is designed as a sporting match between two teams of improvisers who vie for points by playing a series of improvisational theater games based on suggestions from the audience. We create the feel of a real sporting event, with sporting paraphernalia, the singing of the national anthem and Astroturf. A referee guides the action, timing the games and calling fouls such as the Groaner Foul (for really bad puns) or the Brown Bag Foul (for profane or shock value humor). ComedySportz has been playing in Philadelphia for over 17 years and has performed in front of thousands of fans. Our diverse cast includes Barrymore-award winning actors, as well people from other careers and professions.
