Coming in January: Jim Howard returns

"Prosodist, screenwriter, hired word gun; father of three, master of none"—and now, two-time Tantrum monologist

January brings back guest monologist Jim Howard, who blew audiences away at our Making A Scene show in November. A mild-mannered greeting card writer by day, Jim also has written screenplays for Big Bad Love and the Lifetime Channel TV movie Dawn Anna. His blog, Spulge Nine, is infrequented by nearly dozens of readers. And he recently snared his 100th Twitter follower in a web of terse rumination.

Last time, Jim covered everything from elementary school humiliation to illicit behavior to houses burning down. See what he does with your suggestions Friday, January 9, at 8pm at the Westport Coffeehouse, 4010 Pennsylvania. Tickets are $10. Our last show filled up fast—so make reservations now by calling 816-678-8886. 

Before our Thanksgiving show

Corey has the longest arms, so he got to take the picture. 

The casts of Tantrum, our Monologist, and The Union. Topish: Megan Mercer, Nikki Dupont, Rob Grabowski, Josh Steinmez, Pete Calderone. Bottomish: Tom Farnan (monologist), Monique Madrid (The Union), Trish Berrong, Corey Rittmaster (The Union). 

Thanks for the photo, Mo!

2009 Tantrum Show Schedule

We're finished for 2008, but 2009 brings more shows and more funny!

Many, many thanks to Corey Rittmaster and Monique Madrid of the Union...and guest monologist Tom Farnan...and everyone who packed the house for our night-after-Thanksgiving show! We're taking December off, and coming back in January with a regular monthly show and a return to the Library.

Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse

4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations

8pm • Tickets: $10

Now you can see Tantrum every month! Starting in January, we're back home at WCH for 90 minute shows. Watch this space to see what they're all about. 

Making a Scene at the KC Public Library

Plaza Library, 4801 Main • 816-701-3407 for reservations

7pm • Admission: FREE

Wednesdays, February 18, March 18 & April 15

Tantrum is back for an encore at the Library, with a new monologist telling true stories based on audience suggestions every month. Check back for names and bios.

Nice words from the Pitch

Don't miss "daring, scene-based improvisation" PLUS a "well-regarded sketch-comedy duo."

GET YOUR LAUGH ON
Alan Scherstuhl

Tonight, as Americans stagger home from Black Friday shopping and as newscasters scowl at the early numbers and warn us that "this looks like an unmerry holiday for retailers," you could talk to your family. Or, better yet, consider hitting the Westport Coffee House (4010 Pennsylvania) for the latest in a new breed of Kansas City improv: shows that pair the daring, scene-based improvisation of one of our best local troupes (Tantrum, which features Rob Grabowski, The Pitch's Best Funny Performer 2008) with the best imports from other cities (Corey Rittmaster and Monique Madrid's well-regarded sketch-comedy duo, the Union). Tantrum plans one of its inspired monologue shows. "We'll have a monologist telling true stories, and we'll spin off them into scenes," explains Trish Berrong, one of this town's sharpest comic minds. As for the Union, Berrong says, "They're both funny as hell and funnier together." In other words, if your idea of improv comedy is rhyming games — and "Can I get a celebrity? Yes! David Hasselhoff!" — you should spend Black Friday getting schooled. And laughing. The show costs $10 and starts at 8 p.m.; for reservations, call 816-678-8886.

Don't miss Tantrum + Tom Farnan + The Union this Friday

Guest monologist Tom Farnan's alter ego, Velvet Tom (actually, it might be the other way around).

Who isn't ready to get out of the house the night after Thanksgiving? So use us as your excuse. 

First up, there's Tantrum—this time, with old ComedyCity pal Tom Farnan telling stories based on audience suggestions. Then husband-wife team Corey Rittmaster and Monique Madrid (aka The Union) present a sampler from their latest show, Ward and June are Dead—fresh from the Annoyance in Chicago. Then—because why the heck wouldn't we?—we'll all play together. And after that, McCoy's/the Foundry.

Reservations are filling up fast for this one, so call 816-678-8886 right now (seriously—we'll wait). Friday, November 28, at 8pm at the Westport Coffeehouse Theatre. Tickets are $10—cash only at the door.

Photos from our first KC Library show

Here we are with two-time monologist Valissa Smith. 

Turns out they have a Flikr account. Who knew?

Announcing our latest guest monologist: Jim Howard

Another reason not to miss our last library show November 12:
Hallmark writer Jim Howard calls himself a "prosodist, screenwriter, hired word gun; father of three, master of none." His screenwriting credits include Big Bad Love and the Lifetime Channel movie Dawn Anna. His blog, Spulge Nine, is infrequented by nearly dozens of readers. And he recently snared his 100th Twitter follower in a web of terse rumination.

Tantrum plays TWICE in November

First up: Last chance to see Tantrum: Making a Scene

Tantrum's last show at the KC Public Library, Plaza Branch (4801 Main) is Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7pm. The show is free, the wine bar is cash only and the space is terrific. Don't miss it.

Then: It's Tantrum + The Union

You know that point during the Thanksgiving weekend where you realize you MUST. GET. OUT. OF. THE. HOUSE? We've got somewhere for you to go. And it doesn't even conflict with any MEANINGFUL football (i.e. KU, MU or UT).

Friday, Nov. 28, at 8om, KC's Tantrum and Chicago's The Union take the stage at the Westport Coffeehouse Theatre. The Union features KC's own Corey Rittmaster and Monique Madrid, now making the funny in Chicago. The Express Milwaukee says this about their sketch show: "Sharp writing was delivered impeccably."

Tickets are 10 bucks. Doors open at 7:30. Everyone goes to McCoy's (or The Foundry) after.

Tantrum's Rob Grabowski=Pitch's Best Funny Performer

Rob Grabowski (center), shown at the KC Improv Festival with Michael Montague Jr., Josh Steinmetz and Pete Calderone. (Photo by Rita Marks)

The Pitch says this:

A long, lean guy with a look of high-plains blankness and a mind that churns much faster than his face lets on, longtime improviser Rob Grabowski gets audiences howling without seeming to try. He's soft-spoken, often still, and not given to spouting off whatever crazy thoughts come to him. Instead, he tends to make each crazy thought real, reacting to the comic strangeness around him in ways that real people would. This makes funny ideas funnier. His other gift is for elevating the everyday to the truly strange. At a Tantrum show this past summer, a scene about him trying to pick chewing gum off the ground and then properly disposing of it developed into a miniature suite of modern-day anxieties: germophobia, the guilt over not recycling, and the need to look like you worry about these things more than you really do. Subdued in demeanor but manic inside, Grabowski not only sees all the possibilities of a comic situation but also works through the best of them with rare patience, discipline and intelligence.

Congrats, Rob!

(And to everybody else: See what the fuss is about at our next show, October 15.)

Next show: October 15

Thanks for coming!

It was great to see everyone who came out for our show tonight (and wine! and snacks!)—so thanks to all of you. And a great big tangential hug to Valissa Smith, so far our only TWO TIME guest monologist (which I think makes her our favorite, doesn't it?).

Our next show isn't 'til October. But you can see Tantrum any time you want to—just invite us to perform at your private party or corporate event. Like hoes in a bean field (you had to be there), we will do anything for money. Just email tantrumkc@gmail.com with the scoop.

MAKING A SCENE

AT THE KC PUBLIC LIBRARY

Next show: Wednesday, October 15

7pm at the Plaza Branch, Truman Forum, 4801 Main St.

Taking audience suggestions, TANTRUM spins impromptu stories that generate a succession of spontaneous scenes aimed at giving patrons fits (of laughter). Every performance is different, because everything is improvised—and anything can happen. This is the second of three installments in a series of Making a Scene performances.

Veterans of the local improvisational comedy scene, the TANTRUM cast includes Trish Berrong, Pete Calderone, Nikki Dupont, Rob Grabowski, Megan Mercer, Michael Montague Jr., and Josh Steinmetz. Who will be our guest monologist and spill their stories? Check back for details.

A 6:30p.m. reception will feature a cash wine bar.

Admission is free. Call 816.701.3407 to indicate your interest in attending. Free parking is available in the Library District Parking Garage at 10th and Baltimore.

And coming soon: November 12 at the Plaza Branch (4801 Main), Truman Auditorium

Welcome back, Valissa Smith!

Valissa rejoins us for our library show on Wednesday. She used to be an anchorwoman...now she's an entrepreneur...and she's got loads of stories. Come on down!

What's up for Fall 2008

HOT FRESH COMEDY.

KANSAS CITY STYLE.

September 5-6: National Showcase
September 12-14: Local Showcase

H&R Block City Stage, Union Station

Last year, standing-room-only crowds watched as Saturday Night Live standout Jason Sudeikis, Emmy Award-winning 30 Rock writer Kay Cannon and comedians from Chicago, LA and NYC improvised their way through a hilarious weekend of shows. This fall, 8:KCiF returns to the H&R Block City Stage with nationally acclaimed acts and local favorites.

Tantrum performs Friday, September 12, at 7pm with three other local troupes—CounterClockwise Comedy, Roving Imp, and Improv Thunderdome Season One Champions Loaded Dice (featuring Tantrum's Rob Grabowski).

Tickets are on sale now—and going fast! Call 816-460-2020 to reserve your seats. And visit the official festival site for all the details. 

MAKING A SCENE 

AT THE KC PUBLIC LIBRARY

Wednesday, September 17

7pm at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. 

Taking audience suggestions, TANTRUM spins impromptu stories that generate a succession of spontaneous scenes aimed at giving patrons fits (of laughter). Every performance is different, because everything is improvised—and anything can happen. This is the first of three installments in a series of Making a Scene performances.

Veterans of the local improvisational comedy scene, the TANTRUM cast includes Trish Berrong, Pete Calderone, Nikki Dupont, Rob Grabowski, Megan Mercer, Michael Montague Jr., and Josh Steinmetz.

A 6 p.m. reception will feature a cash wine bar.

Admission is free. Call 816.701.3407 to indicate your interest in attending. Free parking is available in the Library District Parking Garage at 10th and Baltimore.

And coming soon:
October 16 and November 12 at the Plaza Branch (4801 Main), Truman Auditorium