This coming Monday, January 8, Sacred Fools' longest-running ongoing show Ten Tops is back with the optional theme "Travel Broadens the Mind." Taking place in the Broadwater Black Box theatre, this edition of Ten Tops might feature performances with that theme in mind... or it might not, as the full lineup of performers won't be set until moments before... and anyone can show up and perform.
Ten Tops is the theatrical equivalent of an open-mic night without the stand-up comics. The formula for the show has undergone minor tweaks in its 20-plus seasons, but basically remains the same - the first ten performers to sign up get up to seven minutes each to do anything they want, from sketch comedy to dramatic readings to dance. The only prohibitions: No pyrotechnics, no glitter, no expression of bodily fluids, and no stand-up comedy.
"I've always enjoyed Ten Tops' anything-goes vibe; it's exciting not to know what's coming next, or to see people displaying a talent or interest you didn't know they had," says co-producer Corey Klemow. "It was also my first opportunity to perform on the Fools stage, and has been the entry point to the company for several of our longstanding company members." Joining Klemow in producing Ten Tops are Aaron Francis and Ed Goodman, who also serves as the show's host.
All Are Welcome, Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can
Anyone can participate: sign-ups for performers begin at 7:30 pm, in order of arrival. If all ten slots are already filled by the time a performer arrives, they can also sign up for the 'Charisma Round,' taking place after the main show where performers get three minutes each. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are Pay-What-You-Can (and are FREE for performers).
Also at Sacred Fools This Month - Denim Doves, Serial Killers & More
Sacred Fools first mainstage production of 2018, the West-Coast premiere of Denim Doves by Adrienne Dawes, opens on Friday, January 19 at 8:00 pm, with the long-running Saturday late-night show Serial Killers returning the next night at 11:00 pm. Also, the Monday following Ten Tops will be the third installment of the social and political staged reading series We The People. For more specific information on everything happening at Sacred Fools, visit www.sacredfools.org.
Sacred Fools Theater Company, the resident theater company of The Broadwater, 1078 Lillian Way (Santa Monica Blvd. and Lillian Way) on Theater Row, is a non-profit, ensemble-run theater company founded in 1997, committed to the development of new plays and projects that challenge traditional expectations of the theatrical experience.
Videos