If you’re the type of dude that follows our Facebook, Tweet machine, or the general buzz of the internet rumor mill, you may have already heard about the upcoming project Rodgers and Hammerstein Are Dead. If you’re particularly “with it”, you may already know that the piece is created and performed by Ladies and Gentlemen. But if you didn’t make it out to Monday’s On Stage Philadelphia at Plays & Players, where L&G made their smash debut, then you probably have no idea who they are! YIKES!

Curiosity is a signpost of great intelligence, and you, dear reader, are obviously one smart cookie. For you, we’ll answer the eternal question: who in the seam hall are these Ladies and Gentlemen?!?

First, a general blurb: Ladies and Gentlemen is Philadelphia’s newest musical improv group. These talented performers take a single audience suggestion and turn it into a fully-formed, Broadway-style musical. Every note, every word, every kickline is made up on the spot. Comprised of some of Philadelphia’s finest improvisors, Ladies and Gentlemen looks to take Broad Street by storm with its blend of toe-tapping melodies and improvised comedy.

The Ladies and Gentlemen are directed by Jason Stockdale. The musical director is the insanely talented Joe Gribbin.

The Cast:

Kennedy Allen
Olivia Brubaker
Apple Milkshake
Joe Sabatino
Kristen Schier
Alexis Simpson
Kelly Vrooman
Alan Williams

Want more? Keep checking the Listen to the Ladies and Gentlemen on Episode 60 of the Rep Radio podcast here. Episode 60 also features the Movement Brigade and the Philly Contact Collective.

This Travelogues cast interview features someone who is best described as a Philadelphia improv powerhouse. We bolded the word powerhouse to hammer home our point. We bolded the word hammer because it makes us think of “acclaimed” rapper MC Hammer, and this improviser is also pretty sick when it comes to rocking a microphone. Also because jokes always come in threes.

If there’s an improvised show in Philadelphia she’s probably had some hand in it,  whether via performance or coaching those who perform. At last October’s 5th Annual Philadelphia Improv Festival, she racked up four, count ‘em, FOUR, appearances. So it’s no surprise that she’s a part of PJI’s upcoming The Mike Connor Travelogues.

Comedian, Actress, Improviser, Director, Teacher, Clown, Ridiculous MC. Please Kristen Schier, don’t hurt ‘em.

Name

Kristen Schier

Hometown

Chardon, OH

Stage name

Angela Landsbury (ed. note:  Our alternative post title was Hilarity, She Wrote!)

Credits Include:

The N Crowd (Artistic Director), Fletcher, The Real Housewives of Philadelphia

Favorite Onstage Moment?

Feeding an albino iguana crickets and breaking down.

Any good travel horror stories?

I once went cross country with my family for two weeks in a winebago touring civil war battle fields.

Why are you doing this show?

Somebody asked me to.

Why do you do comedy?

I want people to love me

Thanks to all who attended PJI’s GALA! It was a night of comedy, laughs, comedy laughs, jokes, spinning wheels, comedy jokes, and a clown on crutches.

We could write a whole entry about everything that happened at GALA. But as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words- especially when you are the kind of writer that uses the same words over and over. So instead of 20,000 words (19,000 of which are either “comedy” or “butt-noodle”) , here are a bunch ‘o pictures, taken by cameras. Probably.

Jack Larson and Hope Harvey are All Over! the Barrymore Awards.

Hope and Jack have “TMF” with perennial Barrymore nominee Ben Dibble.

PJI Producing Artistic Director/Superman Alexis Simpson. In a fancy dress!

Stand-up comedian and stand-up dude Luke Giordano

Local clown Kristen Schier ensures all are amused and/or terrified.

Local sensation Jaime Fountaine hosting the Rant-O-Wheel.

PJI fan Raisha Price is the first to brave the mighty wrath of the Rant-O-Wheel!

Many entered the Rant-O-Wheel contest, but there could be only one winner. Contestants wove tragic tales of pinkie toes, stealing ceramic horses, and Gary Busey’s real estate bum deal. In the end, no one could deny the tale of a saucy make-out session with Kanye West its day in the sun! Congratulations, Meg Walsh!

File Photo of Rant-o-Wheel winner Meg Walsh.

We’re gonna let you finish, but Beyonce really deserved to win.

Be on the lookout for more live comedy events from PJI, including an improv show based on Mike Connor’s Travelogues. Until then – happy joking!