How about a YOU-sical?

I had my first class in musical improv on Monday night at ComedySportz. What a blast! On my way to be the next Wayne Brady! Sixteen students in the class, mostly experienced improv actors and singers. After warm-up exercises and explaining to us the tried-and-true musical structure of great songs like the theme of 'Gilligan's Island', artistic director James Bailey had us singing songs off the cuff in no time. Four of us at a time took a topic suggested by the audience (other students) and invented/sang one line of the song singing in rotation. With the fabulous Bob Remstein on keyboards, who'd done some tracks for the movie 'Little Miss Sunshine'. Each of us had to think fast to sing something based on the two lines sung immediately before by other students in our group of four. A couple of our songs were really good. None of them were bad. Amazing!

ComedySportz 'U-Sical', the Improvised Musical, on May 4th...

This is a show where a full-length musical comedy is improvised based on the life of someone in the audience and featuring audience participation. I get to see the show for free because I'm a student at ComedySportz. I'm going to go check it out this Friday. Who else wants to go? Artistic director James Bailey said I can invite my friends for less than half price. Heh, heh, heh. I'm inviting my 1,400+ friends in ScreenplayLab! National Comedy Theatre, 733 N. Seward St. (NE of Melrose/Highland), Hollywood. Friday, May 4th, 10:30pm. Tickets normally $17, say "I'm Robin Rowe's friend" and pay $8. Reservations 323-856-4796. www.comedysportzla.com

Breakdown Services president Gary Marsh on May 5th...

Creative Actors Alliance presents Breakdown Services president Gary Marsh. Gary gave a great presentation when he spoke at ScreenplayLab. Here's your chance to see what you missed. Frankies New York Italian Restaurant, 7228 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles. No RSVP needed. Saturday, May 5, 11:30am. Free, but you buy your own lunch (prices moderate). www.creativeactors.com

'Find the Funny' Osgood Awards on May 6th...

Ernie Hudson of 'Desperate Housewives', Rex Lee of 'Entourage', Taylor Negron of 'The Hughleys', Barbara Niven of 'Pensacola', Patrick Gallagher of 'Night At the Museum', Dana Snyder of 'Aqua Teen Hunger Force' are all part of the show for the Find the Funny Osgood Awards for comedy. The Hollywood Improv, 8162 Melrose Blvd, Los Angeles. Sunday, May 6, 2007. OPEN BAR and APPETIZERS at 6pm. AWARDS SHOW from 7pm to 9pm. $45. http://findthefunny.com

Amazingly cool ScreenplayLab events coming in June...

FYI, so you can mark them in your calendar. RSVP system not open yet for these:

2007.06.3 Warner Bros Animation president Sander Schwartz
2007.06.10 Screen Gems producer Nick Phillips (Project Greenlight)
2007/06/18. Mixer and Gabrielle Pantera's Birthday Party
2007.06.24 Comedy Central executive Zoe Friedman

http://screenplaylab.com/calendar.html