Photo Courtesy of Toscana Finke ‘22
Yodapez, Hamilton’s premier improv comedy group, put on what was arguably their most innovative show yet on Wednesday, April 7 at 6:30 PM.
Yodaplay: An Improvised Drama in Two Acts
was exactly what it sounds like. Consisting of two acts, this entirely-improvised play was nothing but laughs as each performer ran around the stage telling jokes and adding to the ridiculousness of each scene. Yodapez hosted their performance in the Wellin Museum of Art. Their stage was built specifically for the event, and the stage lighting changed with the progression of the plot. Usually,
Yodapez shows have little stage production, but the cast went all out for their two-act soap opera.
The play began with Yodapez member Matt Albino ’19 picking photos of random cast members out of a hat to determine which character they would play in their family drama. After each member was picked, they would walk on stage and select audience members to give them names, occupations, settings, and secrets for each family member to keep from one another.
Once everyone had a character, back-story, and motive, the production commenced. The first scene began with the reunion on the Gale family for the funeral of their recently departed grandmother, and proceeded from there as each improv member began crafting plot points. The Gale family included the grandfather and his three children, their significant others, three grandchildren, a fake girlfriend, a gardener, a nanny, and a butler with a deep dark secret.
Yodaplay
was engaging to watch, as the Yodapez members were given a new format in which to test their improv skills. Usually, Yodapez shows are constructed using a series of smaller improv games, but
Yodaplay
had more of a long form setup. For example, a few Yodapez members would walk on stage and attempt to quickly craft a reason for their conversation during the show. When anyone felt that they needed another character on stage to further the plot, or felt like the scene was coming to a close, they would dramatically mention how hot it was getting in whatever room they were in, and the scene would swiftly change as people switched in and out. Once offstage, Yodapez members discussed potential plotlines with each other before heading back onstage to perform.
It was exciting to see how rapidly the plot could develop and change with every line. The cast provided nothing but hilarious entertainment for the full hour. It was easy to see how much the audience enjoyed
Yodaplay: An Improvised Drama in Two Acts
and the show constituted another successful performance for the group.
