'Without a Net' starts free shows

Without A Net brings back the true meaning of "audience participation." The University's only improvisational comedy group has compiled a collection of over 100 games, from which they "pick and choose" to create an evening of entertainment. On Friday night, in the first series of free shows, Without a Net will exhibit one combination of their "games." However, the group accents the show's success is dependent upon audience participation. "The audience gives us topics, non-geographical locations and occupations," said Without a Net member and Wharton senior Tony Angeles. "The audience is always in control, no matter what the situation." Without a Net's director, Larry Wagner, added that the audience acts as judges in some of their games. One such game is called "Sit, Stand or Kneel." It involves three Net members performing a skit. According to Wagner, one member must be sitting, another standing and another lying on the floor throughout the scene. "If anyone changes their position, the other two have to compensate," Wagner said. "But they have to compensate logically. If anything at any moment is wrong, we encourage the audience to tell us." Last semester, Without a Net perfomed at an alumni function for the Dental School but had a problem getting the audience to contribute ideas. "It was like pulling teeth to get suggestions from them," Wagner said. "We were pulling teeth at the Dental School." Without A Net also plans to go on a visit with an admissions officer to New York City. Wagner said that he hopes his group is opening doors for other groups to perform at some of Admission's affairs. "Traditionally, groups with a lot of alumni perform at these functions such as Mask and Wig and Pennsylvania 6-5000," he said. Friday night's show will be the first performace opportunity for Without A Net's four new members. "We encourage the new members to participate equally with the rest of the group," Wagner said. "We also encourage the audience to give them a hard time. They'll put on a good show, but who says it has to be easy for them?" Angeles, a new member, is nervous for his first performance. "Steve Martin said, 'Comedy is the ability to make people laugh without making them throw up,' " Angeles said. "If anyone throws up [on Friday], it'll be me." Many of the games Without A Net will be performing have not been conducted for many years, and some are brand new, according to Wagner. One of the group's new additions is pianist John Hedges. Wagner said there were certain games during which College sophomore Hedges would definitely be playing. "But sometimes he'll just jump in with sound effects or whatever," Wagner added. "After all, we are an improv group." Net will have free shows this weekend on Friday night at 7 p.m. in McClelland Hall in the Quadrangle and on Sunday night at 11 p.m. in the High Rise East Rathskellar.

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