Theater Watch: Lots of Laughs In Store This Week

Laughter is on the menu this week at the Count Basie Theater with performances on Friday and Saturday by Whose Live Anyway and The Italian Laugh Pack. Sunday takes a more musical “note” with a performance by the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra.

Friday brings Whose Live Anyway starring Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Chip Esten and Jeff Davis to the stage. Whose Live Anyway does improvised comedy skits based on ideas generated from the audience.

Whose Live Anyway began in 1999 in Vancouver, Canada. After selling out two shows in three hours, Executive Producer Ryan Stiles decided to expand the show’s range to major cities in the United States and Canada.

The group performs some of the games from the well known and Emmy nominated TV showWhose Line Is It Anyway. All performances are based on audience participation and suggestions, so those who attend and throw out ideas should be prepared to shake off any stage fright and hop on stage with the cast.

The group also improvises song lyrics, something that sets them apart for other improv comedians. Chip Esten and Jeff Davis handle the songs with ease, making the audience roar with laugher at each note. This, combined with their pure comedic talent, makes the show enjoyable to a wide range of audiences.

On Saturday, join in the laughter as The Italian Laugh Pack featuring Pat Cooper takes the stage. Pat Cooper is a legendary comedian who usually bases his stand up routines around his Italian heritage.

Pat Cooper was born Pasquale Caputo in Brooklyn, NY. He received his big break in 1963 when he appeared on the Jackie Gleason Show. From there, his career skyrocketed, and he has shared the stage with many legendary performers such as Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lewis.

Cooper has also made multiple appearances on popular radio shows such as The Howard Stern Show, Opie and Anthony and Imus in the Morning. He has also made numerous appearances onThe Late Show with David Letterman show and Live with Regis and Kelly.

The Italian Laugh Pack brings together a cast of the nation’s top Italian American comedians, including Joe Starr and Rocky LaPorte, for a night of fun and laughs. 

On Sunday, stop by Count Basie to revel in the sounds of the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra.

The Monmouth Symphony Orchestra began in 1948 as the Spring Lake Sinfonietta. In 1960, they officially became known as the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra and have performed in numerous locations throughout Monmouth County.

The orchestra is made up of seventy-five professional and talented amateur musicians from the Centeral Jersey area. The orchestra is currently under the direction of Music Director Roy D. Gussman of Neptune, who has been a member of the Monmouth Symphony for over twenty years.

The mission of the orchestra is “to make great classical music easily accessible to all residents of the community and to encourage talented youth throughout the state.”

On Sunday, the Symphony will feature Greg Giannascoli on the marimba. They will performRomanian Rhapsody in A Major, Hungarian Rhapsody, Flight of the Bumblebee, Minute Waltz, Xylophonia, Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, and Valentino Dances.  There will be a pre-concert talk beginning at 2:15 pm.

For information or to buy tickets to any of the shows mentioned, please visithttp://www.countbasietheatre.org/

• Friday, May 13, 2011: Whose Live Anyway at 8pm
• Saturday, May 14, 2011: The Italian Laugh Pack featuring Pat Cooper at 8pm
• Sunday, May 15, 2011: Monmouth Symphony Orchestra at 3pm with a pre-concert talk at 2:15pm