Two of the improv comedy shows I’m most interested in seeing have a common factor, performer/producer Ryan Klima - so rather than pick one over the other, I’m spotlighting both.
#11A – Comfort Zone Presents: CHEMISTRY
Venue: TRP
Show Description:
Elite secret agents Scabbard and Jameson have lost their mojo after failing multiple missions. To get it back they must examine famous duos throughout history and pop culture in order to regain their CHEMISTRY!
Genre & Content: Comedy, Improv, Physical Theater, Audience Participation
Warnings: Adult Language, Flashing Lights
Any study of the chemistry of duos that includes pairings like: Statler & Waldorf, Batman & Robin, Buzz & Woody, Barbie & Ken, Bert & Ernie, or Han & Chewie - has my vote.
There’s also a very detailed Periodic Table of Elements style ranking of famous duos.
Venue: Southern Theatre
Show Description:
A kaleidoscopic showcase of innovative Twin Cities Improv! Each show will feature three groups performing a unique style. Then in the second half, the teams combine to play Ping Prov—a sporty artistic endeavor!
Loosely inspired by the 1971 film Symbiopsychotaxiplasm, Ping Prov comes from a desire of unconventional means to tell a story. Thinking of an improv scene at its most basic elements, an entrance is among the easiest things to do–what happens when that becomes more difficult? In this show beer pong, typically associated with frat house buffoonery, becomes a picky director that doesn’t accept the actor’s first, second, or even seventh idea. There is no drinking, only thinking. The first time we did this show at Strike Theater was a very exhilarating experience for the performers and audience.
Genre & Content: Comedy, Improv
Warnings: Adult Language
There’s an amusing rundown of the various inspirations (and rules) for Ping Prov on Instagram
The Rules of Ping Prov!
On one side of the Southern Theater will be an improvised narrative based on the audience's suggestion.
The only way a performer can enter the story is to sink a ping pong ball into diamond of red plastic cups in the center of the flower.
Characters may exit as they please -- but the only way to enter is to sink a ball into the plastic cups!
Before attempting a toss, the performer has to declare what character they intend to enter the scene as (ex: "Joe the Mailman") but if they miss, they can't be that character anymore.
But if everyone misses, that character can no longer be part of the story.
At least one performer must stay in the scene at all times.
"Cut to--" edits are allowed to change the location of the story. (ex: "Cut to the Grammy Awards")
Improv group names are often half the fun. Competing teams, with rosters crossing over with nearly every other improv show in the Fringe this year (full artist rundowns and bios on the Cast and More Information tabs of Ping Prov’s Fringe page), will be:
Friday, August 1st 10:00PM: BVTT MVNCH, Soap-Prov, Goof Goof
Saturday, August 2nd 2:30PM: Too Bad We Don’t Vibe, Diesel-Powered Bees, Sympathetic Magic
Tuesday, August 5th 5:30PM: ROLLY, Tracktastic! With Bret, Waiting for… Oh No, Godot!
Friday, August 8th 8:30PM: Slumber Party, Comfort Zone, Very Good Improv
Sunday August 10th 7:00PM: Primal Delusions, Doubtless, PHXDC
Update 7/24/2025, Ping Prov's Fringe preview:
Here’s some handy links to my Fringe Top 10, Top 11 to 20 and Returning Favorites lists for this year, as well as all the coverage of this year’s Minnesota Fringe Festival.
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