"Off Book" and "The Mess" at HUGE Improv Theater

"Life is better when you're laughing." Or at least that was the sidewalk chalk wisdom I saw on my morning run today. But there definitely is truth to it, and if you're in need of more laughter in your life, there's no better place to go for consistent laughs any night of the week than HUGE Improv Theater, a home for improv in Uptown Minneapolis. HUGE hosts a variety of improv troupes, with shows almost every night. Most shows are about $10 per ticket, and if you go on a Friday or Saturday night, you can see multiple shows at a discounted price. A small price to play for a lot of laughter.

Fringe Festival: "Dear Madde"

Day: 4

Show: 11

Title: Dear Madde

By: Gigglepus Productions

Created by: Madde Gibba

Location: Red Eye Theater

Summary: A "Dear Abby" type reads and sings letters written to her by people asking for advice, mostly about their love lives. She also answers a few letters from the audience.

Highlights: Madde Gibba is funny and charming as she reads letters in different voices, from a 5-year-old boy, to a teenage valley girl, to a TGI-60 woman. Most of the letters are funny, one is sort of sad. She sings a couple of original songs, beginning with "Dear Madde" (a mishmash of various letters she's received) and ending with "Dear You" (say what you feel). In between, previously written material is mixed with improv based on letters from the audience (including the made-up-on-the-spot song "put on a knee brace and mount an otter"). Accompanied by Peter Guertin on keyboards and Josh Kaplan on drums, she sings comically well (a skill I always admire). Bottom line: it's a funny, sweet, and entertaining show. If you have a problem you need help with, go and ask Madde. She might give you a helpful answer, or she might just make everyone laugh.

Read more of my fringe fest reflections…

… including my top 5 shows