The Bastion has seen a lot of improv. A lot. And just when our souls were being crushed by the weight of another long form show/roommate scene/group game -- a show like this comes along. The Kings of Improv restored our faith in not only the art form but in humanity itself. Where to begin? The show was like a rock concert.

We asked ourselves, “Why can’t every improv show be this good?” The answer slapped us with its dick on the cheek. Only Horatio Sanz could have compiled a cast list of this caliber, made up entirely of his own talented friends.

[We sent Horatio some questions for him to answer about the cast. He didn’t get a chance to do ‘em, so we will].

Give us one/a couple of words to describe:

a. Matt Walsh – Co-Host, Scene Editor, Move Maker
b. Andy Daly – Shy, Adorable, Game Player
c. Kevin Dorff - Smart, Handsome, Connection Man
d. Ed Furman – Dry and/or Wet as hell
e. TJ Jagodowski - Show Stealer

We realize that Horatio may not ever describe his friends this way… well, maybe he also thinks Dorff is handsome. Horatio knew TJ, Ed, Kevin, and Matt from iO, Annoyance, and Second City here in Chicago and we’re sure he met Andy through Matt at The Upright Citizens Brigade in NY. We wanted to ask him what qualified someone as a King of Improv and made them eligible for the show at the Lakeshore Theater. Again, another obvious answer: Be funny as fuck. From the opening raffle (they gave away what may have been Zack Galifianakis’ shirt that they found back stage) and following interviews conducted by Matt and Horatio to the closing scene, not a connection missed, call back dropped, or move was left unmade. Never before have sexual assault, murder, kidnapping, and ghost AIDs been so funny. It turns out ghosts can’t give humans AIDs, but humans can become carriers and pass it on to other ghosts. In Riyadh, foreigners are allowed one murder and two kidnappings. Also, calling Ed (Furman) is better than killing yourself.

It’s hard to review an improv show of this caliber without referencing the entire show. It’s a little tacky to re-tell jokes, especially ones created in a moment that will also never be seen again. You simply had to be there and you are rull sorry you missed it. Scenes were inspired by those audience interviews and it all tied together with a big silly fucking bow. It was HILARIOUS. Well, now we’re just rubbing it in. We can’t help it. We love it when our friends make it and return to share the wealth.

Before the show we ran into Horatio and Ed at the Melrose Diner and it made us happy. Two Chicago dudes eating at a local hole before their show like normal people. The entire cast even went for drinks together with the audience, family, and friends at Monsignor Murphy’s after. Ike Barinholtz was even there with his brother. Second City alums Claudia Wallace and Maria Corell were also there. It felt like we all had dinner like a normal family. Superb.

Upright Citizens Brigade-produced events will be in residence every Tuesday for an open run at the Lakeshore Theater. Go see every show you can.

HEY!

Here are some of the other questions we would have posed to Horatio (and OUR answers):

Do you have a favorite on stage moment from your time at Second City?

Horatio used to do this funeral scene when he was on the ETC. He’d break and everyone would laugh and this 6 minute scene would turn in to a 15 minute one.

It seemed like you were constantly laughing your mustache off at SNL, was that job really that much fun?

Yes, yes, we bet it rully was.

Do you consider Cuba Gooding Jr. a friend?

No.

Anything else you'd like to tell us?

I’m newly svelte and working it. You want me and you know it.

Well, yes we do.

Thank you Horatio Sanz and the Kings of Improv for one of the best nights we’ve had in a long time. Come home and play as much as you can and we’ll come and watch.

-Rachael Mason