Feast of Fail

For many, the very act of showing up to Christmas dinner requires a certain amount of improvisation. So does opening presents, as it’s not easy to act impressed with a bad gift. But those gifts are the inspiration behind the Groupmind Foundation’s Improv Combo Platter, which takes its material from...

By Thorin Klowsowski

December 23, 2010

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For many, the very act of showing up to Christmas dinner requires a certain amount of improvisation. So does opening presents, as it’s not easy to act impressed with a bad gift. But those gifts are the inspiration behind the Groupmind Foundation’s Improv Combo Platter, which takes its material from the audience’s bad gifts and holiday experiences.

“We’ve got sixteen different improvisers for the show,” says organizer Natalie Kilkenny. “These are people who normally wouldn’t work together; we’re really excited to see what they do.” The show will be split into two halves, starting with a game-style short-form skit section before moving on to one long-form section. On top of being a post-holiday stress reliever, the Combo Platter is also a way to raise money for the Denver Improv Festival, which has been absent for the past two years.

“Our goal is to get improvisers and the community involved together and raise enough funds to get the festival going again,” says Kilkenny.

The show starts tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Avenue Theater, 417 East 17th Avenue. Admission is $10; call 303-321-5925 or visit www.groupmindfoundation.org for more information.
Mon., Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m., 2010

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