THE IMPROVISED SONDHEIM PROJECT Kicks Off Open Run at MCL Chicago

The acclaimed musical improv ensemble The Improvised Sondheim Project returns to the stage for an open run at MCL Chicago (3110 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago) starting on August 9th. The Improvised Sondheim Project runs Saturdays at 9pm. To purchase tickets, visit mclchicago.com.

The Improvised Sondheim Project is a theatre ensemble that performs completely improvised, spontaneous musicals in the style of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. The ensemble is comprised of veteran performers, including Joey Bland, Jeff Bouthiette, Kate Cohen, Katie Dufresne, Michael Girts, Aaron Graham, Rebecca Hanson, Nicole C. Hastings, Sarah Hoffman, Amanda Murphy, Jason Stockdale, and Tiffani Swalley. Musical direction is by Aaron Benham, Stephanie McCullough Vlcek, and Brad Kemp. The ensemble is directed by Tyler Dean Kempf, and produced by Aaron Graham and Jeff Bouthiette.

This is The Improvised Sondheim Project's first permanent open run after three successful runs at Stage 773. The Improvised Sondheim Project has also performed nationwide, including two years at the Chicago Improv Festival and a sold out performance at the New York Musical Improv Festival, where they will be returning once again in 2014.

The Improvised Sondheim Project's performances will be Saturday nights at 9pm, beginning August 9th, at MCL Chicago, 3110 North Sheffield Avenue, in Chicago. Tickets cost $20. Tickets are available at mclchicago.com.

About The Improvised Sondheim Project - The Improvised Sondheim Project performs completely improvised musicals in the style of Stephen Sondheim. No scripts. No sheet music. No pre-planning. Just a suggestion from the audience and the muse of Mr. Sondheim to guide them as they make up a brand new musical each night right before your eyes.

Having spent several years rehearsing together and researching the work of Stephen Sondheim, the ensemble is able to create a completely new, spontaneous and hilarious show that sounds and feels like a show by Stephen Sondheim. Everything that The Improvised Sondheim Project creates on stage (including music, lyrics, dialogue, and "choreography") is completely spontaneous and based solely on the suggestion from that evening's audience.

The Improvised Sondheim Project began in the spring of 2012 when a handful of faculty members from the Music Program at The Second City Training Center in Chicago came together to explore the challenge of improvising musicals in the specific style of Stephen Sondheim. The founding members were Jeff Bouthiette, Erica Elam, Aaron Graham, Amanda Murphy, and Matthew Van Colton.

For more information on The Improvised Sondheim Project, visit www.improvisedsondheim.com.

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