Democracy kicks ass.

Like Tantrum? You can vote us onto KMBC's A-List by clicking here. Love us? Leave a review...a comment...a star rating. We love to hear what you think. For example, guest monologist Jim Howard accuses us of "utter shamelessness." Fan Stacey (who writes an amazing blog about romance noveling and writing in general) says "it feels great to laugh for like 2 hours straight." Emily, an inspiringly rabid localvore, proclaims "They're hilarious! Every time!" Tom sez "fresh mouthbreath!" And from Massive Tassel, who should know: "They are built of super-laser-robot-parts and they smell like grape soda."

We love our fans, and will figure out some way (seriously!) to make it up to you. Thanks for your support!

Next up: Tantrum at the KC Improv Festival

First of all, thanks to everybody who came out to see Jim Howard with Tantrum last weekend! (And to all of you who stopped by for the secret discount password—it's our way of letting you know we appreciate our regulars.)

Tantrum's next show is the usual Second Friday at 8pm, but this time we'll be performing as part of the 9: The KC Improv Festival at the Off Center Theater. We'll share the spotlight with Comedy City, Messing with a Friend (featuring top Chicago improvisers Susan Messing and Mark Sutton) and Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show, with KC's Dan Walsh and Jeff Drake. We'll be joined by guest monologist Steve Jones, fellow player in ComedyCity, 2 Much Duck, Lighten Up and Funny Outfit.

Other shows in September:
—Also at the festival, catch Thunderdome Thursday, featuring Spite (Trish, Nikki & Megan) and Rob's team, Loaded Dice.
—Rob & Trish compete against each other in Improv Thunderdome, Season 4, Round 3, Saturday, Sept. 19, at 8pm at the Westport Coffeehouse.
—Spite and Loaded Dice play nice on Friday, Sept. 25, at 8pm at the Westport Coffeehouse.

Want the latest news (including special discounts) as it happens? Become a fan on Facebook.
Or follow us on Twitter: TantrumKC

7 Questions for Jim Howard: Megan wants to know

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Megan wants to know: What makes you laugh out loud? Sublime stupidity. The perfect, goofy, left-field thing at the perfect, wrong moment. The kind of thing you guys do all the time.

Why the hell would you miss this? What's WRONG with you?
Tantrum with Special Guest Jim Howard
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, August 14 • 8pm • Tickets: $10
May contain adult material.

SECRET VIRTUAL COUPON FOR OUR FAVORITE PEOPLE

Want $2 off a single ticket—or 2-for-1 admission if you bring a friend to this Friday's Tantrum show?

When you get to the box office, say the secret phrase: "Massive Tassel."

7 Questions for Jim Howard: Michael wants to know

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Michael wants to know: What's the best decision you ever made? To woo my wee spousette, back when it looked very dubious (office romance, 9-year age difference, me with two kids from a failed marriage). Somehow we beat the odds.

There's still time...if you hurry...
Tantrum with Special Guest Jim Howard
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, August 14 • 8pm • Tickets: $10
May contain adult material.

7 Questions for Jim Howard: Pete wants to know

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Pete wants to know: What was the first album (45/8-track/cassette/cd/whatever) you purchased with your own money?

Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe," for the title song, which I still find weirdly enchanting. But the rest of the album sucked, and I remember suffering acute buyer's remorse. Again: bewildered, disappointed.

There's still time to make reservations...
Tantrum with Special Guest Jim Howard
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, August 14 • 8pm • Tickets: $10
May contain adult material.

7 Questions for Jim Howard: Josh wants to know

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Josh wants to know: What was your most unusual job?
My first job remains my most unusual: handing out burlap bags to people riding the giant slide behind a head shop/food co-op. $1.35 an hour. In bad weather, I did odd jobs inside: stocked shelves, swept up around the bulk food bins--and sold bongs, Zig Zag papers, Kama Sutra oil, etc. I was 13. I had no idea what these things were until a couple of years later.

Find out more about Jim
Tantrum with Special Guest Jim Howard
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, August 14 • 8pm • Tickets: $10
May contain adult material.

7 Questions for Jim Howard: Rob, Nikki and Trish want to know...

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. So we're introducing a brand new feature—7 Questions. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Rob wants to know: What's your first memory?
Sitting on my mom's lap in the front seat of the family Rambler. She lifted me up so I could look over the dashboard. I thought I was going to see our new house, which was being built. They'd just broken ground, I guess. Our new house was a big pile of dirt? I was three, and already bewildered and disappointed by life.

Nikki wants to know: What's the best thing you got away with as a kid?
If "kid" extends to teenagerhood, the best thing I got away with was unprotected sex. Not as much of it as I would have liked, but more than enough to have ruined my life and several others. Worked out well, though. I mean, I'm sure the sex was lousy. But it seemed great at the time.

Trish wants to know: What weird thing scares the hell out you?
People who still think Bush and Cheney did a great job. Also, realizing that I've been a parent for 30 years, and the day-to-day-ness of it won't let up for another 10 or so. I don't get stoned anymore, but if I did, I bet contemplating this responsibility would Break My MInd.

Find out more about Jim in two weeks...

Tantrum with Special Guest Jim Howard
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, August 14 • 8pm • Tickets: $10
May contain adult material.

Tantrum joins national acts at the KC Improv Festival

Tantrum plays football by our own rules at last year's KCiF.

For 4 days starting 09/09/09, you can see hilarious nationally-recognized improvisers from Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel Live, live venues across the nation and very best local talent—including Tantrum.

This year's KC Improv Festival takes place at the Off Center Theater located in Crown Center. Click here for the schedule and ticket information. And come see us perform Friday night with Comedy City, Messing with a Friend (featuring top Chicago improvisers Susan Messing and Mark Sutton) and Brother Love's Traveling Salvation show, with KC's Dan Walsh and Jeff Drake. We'll be joined by guest monologist Steve Jones, fellow player in ComedyCity, 2 Much Duck, Lighten Up and Funny Outfit.

You can also support Spite (the lady parts of Tantrum) and Rob (in Loaded Dice) as they compete in an Improv Thunderdome match on Thursday. And see Megan with the Trip Fives on Saturday.

(Because of the festival, Tantrum won't be performing at the Westport Coffeehouse in September.)

He's coming baaaaaack...

Jim Howard returns as guest monologist on Friday, August 14. More Jim stories to come, but for now, here's what we're looking at.

Tantrum with writer Jim Howard
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, August 14 • 8pm • Tickets: $10
May contain adult material.

7 Questions for Scott Sjoberg: Megan and Michael want to know...

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. So we're introducing a brand new feature—7 Questions. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Megan wants to know: What makes you laugh out loud?
People dancing and not caring how stupid they look just cracks me up! I love telling old stories with friends and just laughing until it hurts—stupid stuff from college.

Michael wants to know: What is the best decision you've ever made?
The best decision I ever made was to ask Kami to marry me.

Tantrum with Special Guest Scott Sjoberg
in a benefit for the MS 150 team Feisty Devils
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, July 10 • 8pm • Tickets: $20 (no passes or discounts accepted for this benefit show)
May contain adult material.


Can't make it and still want to donate to the Feisty Devils? Click here.

7 Questions for Scott Sjoberg: Pete and Rob want to know...

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. So we're introducing a brand new feature—7 Questions. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Pete wants to know: What was the first album (45/8-track/cassette/cd/whatever) you purchased with your own money?
First album was "Le Freak," by Chic...also bought "Rubber Band Man."

Rob wants to know: What's your first memory?
My first memories are from kindergarten to first grade. I had a crush on Jaci Nichol. I remember riding my bike around as my dad washed the car as I listened to "Somebody's knockin at the door...somebody's ringin the bell...somebody's knockin at the door...so let 'em in..." (Wings, "Let 'Em In"). I remember trying to dig to China in the back yard—I was five. I remember getting my first baseball glove, age six.

Tantrum with Special Guest Scott Sjoberg
in a benefit for the MS 150 team Feisty Devils
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, July 10 • 8pm • Tickets: $20 (no passes or discounts accepted for this benefit show)
May contain adult material.

7 Questions for Scott Sjoberg: Josh and Trish want to know...

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. So we're introducing a brand new feature—7 Questions. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Josh wants to know: What was/is the most unusual job you've held?
Worked at McDonald's and washed windows. Started my own business: I.C. Clearly Window Washing...sophomore in highschool and college summers.

Trish wants to know: What weird thing scares the hell out of you?
Spiders scare me. I have recurring nightmares about tornadoes. Now my son has the same dreams. Weird??!!

Tantrum with Special Guest Scott Sjoberg
in a benefit for the MS 150 team Feisty Devils
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, July 10 • 8pm • Tickets: $20 (no passes or discounts accepted for this benefit show)
May contain adult material.

7 Questions for Scott Sjoberg: Nikki wants to know...

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. So we're introducing a brand new feature—7 Questions. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Nikki wants to know: What's the best thing you got away with as a kid?
I think I got busted for everything! Ditched school...my mom found the forged notes from a girl at school...fake Dr. appt. note...Dad found the booze I tried to steal...mom found a girl's purse in a bush a week after I had a big party while parents were out of town...got busted when the girl came to our house to get her purse. I did help my little sister get away with things. Helped her sneak out of the house to sleep under the stars with girlfriends...then helped her sneak back into the house in the middle of the night when she got cold and scared.

Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, July 10 • 8pm • Tickets: $20 (no passes or discounts accepted for this benefit show)
May contain adult material.

Next up: Tantrum and the Feisty Devils fight MS

In July, Tantrum welcomes special guest Scott Sjoberg to tell stories on the spot—and raise money to fight Multiple Sclerosis. Scott’s wife, Kami, was diagnosed with MS in 1999; now they both ride in the MS 150. Their Bike MS team, The Feisty Devils, rides because they “know that riding so many miles is nowhere near as difficult as confronting a lifetime with multiple sclerosis.”

Tantrum Improv with Special Guest Scott Sjoberg
Friday, July 10, 8pm at the Westport Coffeehouse
Tickets: $20. Call 816-678-8886 for reservations.
No passes or discounts will be accepted at this benefit performance.

Check back often to learn more about Scott and Kami and what's in store in July!

That was the opposite of geeky...

Tonight's show was a blast—we had Kevin as our guest monologist and a great crowd, so it's hard to go wrong. And in that crowd? Sarah Anderson of Softee (who turns out to be a Tantrum fan—it's so mutual), Eric Jones of Action Figure and Nathan Lewis of Tarkus Attacks.

And we were, for the first time I'm aware of, live Tweeted by some writer pals.

Pete won't let us say "awesome," so someone's going to have to come up with another word for it.

Coming up next...news about Tantrum's July show.

Tomorrow night at this time...

You either will have seen Tantrum and Kevin Dilmore...or will have serious regrets about your choices. There's still time to make reservations.

Friday, June 12, at 8pm
Westport Coffeehouse Theatre, 4010 Pennsylvania
$10 all seats (cash at the door)

We're going for funny AND fascinating.

Friday, June 12, at 8pm
Westport Coffeehouse Theatre, 4010 Pennsylvania
$10 all seats (cash at the door)

What? You haven't made reservations yet? That does not seem...logical.

Star Trek novelist Kevin Dilmore is coming straight out of a few months of movie previews and comic-cons—and Tantrum can't wait to play.

Call 816-678-8886 for reservations—this one will sell out.

A preview of what's to come...

Contains seriously funny adult language.

If you’ve seen Star Trek novelist Kevin Dilmore perform with Tantrum, you know exactly why we’re bringing him back.

In our last show, he talked about bat'leths…smuggling liquor in cargo pants…and what really goes on at sci-fi conventions. Now—after a couple of intense months of attending Star Trek previews and comic-cons—he’s back with all new stories.

To get Kevin started, you’ll shout out topics you want to hear about. He can respond with anything he wants to—as long as it’s true. Then Tantrum takes over, twisting and turning his tales into a series of scenes.

Friday, June 12, at 8pm
Westport Coffeehouse Theatre, 4010 Pennsylvania
$10 all seats (cash at the door)

Think we're the best?

Vote Tantrum KC's Best Performing Arts Group!

If you like what we do, we'd really appreciate your vote in the Midwest Luxe Best of Kansas City poll. It's quick, easy and you get to say nice things about other people you like, too. Register here and enter our name in the Culture section as Best Performing Arts Group.