GREENEVILLE – If you seek some levity and high-caliber entertainment, book your calendar for a visit to the Behan Arena Theatre at Tusculum University on Saturday, Feb. 10.
Faith Rader, left, and Matt Quick team to complete a scene. Courtesy of Robert Luna of Luna Photography
Left to right, Erin Hensley Schultz, Steve Schultz, Andy Ross (on the floor) and Matt Quick work their magic on a scene. Courtesy of Robert Luna of Luna Photography
Blue Plate Special will serve delicious improvisational comedy at 7 p.m. that will keep the audience chuckling throughout the performance. The group, one of the most experienced and longest tenured in improv in the region, will conduct its 10th anniversary show, with all proceeds benefiting Tusculum Arts Outreach.
“What a tremendous menu of comedy we have planned for the community with this performance,” said Steve Schultz, a member of the troupe and Arts Outreach’s director. “We invite everyone to join us for plenty of laughs in an intimate theater space that will enable the audience to experience the full flavor of our delightful comedy. Best of all, those who will be in the seats will make the event funnier by sharing their ideas.”
Blue Plate Special includes seven performers who have been together throughout the group’s 10-year run. They are Dave Hutton, Annie Odessa, Matt Quick, Faith Rader, Andy Ross, Erin Hensley Schultz and Steve Schultz. Other comedians might join these core members to enhance the scenes – otherwise known as games – the group will perform.
Matt Quick, left, and Andy Ross perform a scene. Courtesy of Robert Luna of Luna Photography
Faith Rader, left, and Erin Hensley Schultz hug as Peyton Bergquist watches. Courtesy of Robert Luna of Luna Photography
The troupe will perform 12-15 scenes, each lasting between three and eight minutes. In addition to experiencing a wide range of comedic material and styles, the audience will have an opportunity to shape the direction of each game.
The group will set the overarching theme for each scene but then turn to the audience for suggestions on some of the elements. Blue Plate Special will then blend all facets and produce the final product. The audience should expect singing to be incorporated in many of the scenes.
“We love audience participation because it not only provides our guests with buy-in for the scene but also enriches the level of comedy,” said Erin Schultz, who also serves as the university’s costume director. “Blue Plate Special has thoroughly enjoyed having the audience contribute to the direction of each game because it can take us to some unexpected places. That is the beauty of improv.”
This is Blue Plate Special’s logo.
Left to right, Emme Foster, Steve Schultz, Andy Ross, Matt Quick, Faith Rader and Peyton Bergquist delight the crowd with their scene. Courtesy of Robert Luna of Luna Photography
Blue Plate Special has performed more than 300 times as an ensemble during its decade on the stage. The group began at the Blue Moon Theatre in downtown Johnson City, holding its first 100 shows in that venue. The troupe is now based at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Greeneville, but it has taken its comedy on the road to other locales, such as Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Knoxville, Oak Ridge and Asheville, North Carolina. It has performed at renaissance festivals, the Greene County Fair and even weddings.
The cost to attend the Tusculum performance is $5. Tickets will be sold at the door, and the payment methods are card, cash and check. There will be no advance ticket sales.
For more information, please email Steve Schultz at sschultz@tusculum.edu. Additional details about Blue Plate Special are available at https://www.facebook.com/blueplatespecialimprov/. To learn more about the university and its arts programming, please visit www.tusculum.edu.