23 Artscene 23 · Friday, February 19, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010 That's So Weird cast members at Moonshine By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF S everal cast members of YTV's That's So Weird comedy show will be in Oakville Sunday, Feb. 28 to perform in a pair of improvisational comedy shows. The live show is presented by Bad Dog Theatre Company, which began conducting improv classes in Oakville last year. The event consists of two shows, one for all-ages and one for adults only. Bad Dog has already held several of its shows in Oakville but this time it includes members of the TV show. "My background is improv and comedy writing and most of the other writers on the show have an improv, comedy background so we thought it would be fun to do a show where we play and some of the cast members play as well," said Gary Pearson, executive producer of That's So Weird. Pearson is also a member of Bad Dog Theatre Company in Oakville and a resident of Oakville. He will perform on stage along with Duncan McKenzie, another Oakville resident who is part of Bad Dog and a writer of the youth television program. "The (TV) show is aimed for the 10 to 16year-olds," Pearson said. "There's going to be one (improv) show that's an all-ages show so I hope some of the kids who are fans of That's So Weird will come out. We're not doing (That's So Weird) on stage but some of the kids on the show will be performing." Amy McKenzie, Duncan's wife, and a spokesperson for Bad Dog, said at least four cast members will come out for the improv night. "People should come out to the show because they won't get improv comedy shows anywhere else in Oakville. The show that is going to happen on Feb. 28 will never "Any suggestion that you get from the audience is going to be something to push the comedy and make it more spontaneous and immediate." Amy McKenzie, Bad Dog spokesperson ON STAGE IN OAKVILLE: Alana Johnston, cast member of That's So Weird. happen again. Some of the people in the show are some of the hottest improvisers in Toronto," Amy said. The first show, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature the improvisational humour of That's So Weird cast members such as Kayla Lorette, Alana Johnston, Hannah Hogan, James Hartnett and AJ Vaage. It is open to all ages. The second performance, which begins at 8:30 p.m., is adults only. It will feature the cast members versus the writers of the show (Pearson and McKenzie) in an improvisational face-off. Amy said a vital portion of any improvisation is audience participation. "Audiences are needed in improv for suggestions because in order for the live and immediate response of improv to work we need the suggestions from the audience," she said. "Any suggestion that you get from the audience is going to be something to push the comedy and make it more spontaneous and immediate." Bad Dog is a not-for-profit, charitable theatre group that aims to develop improvisational comedy in Ontario. The show takes place at The Moonshine Café, located at 137 Kerr St. Tickets cost $5 per performance. Seating is limited. For reservations call the bar at 905-844-2655. For more information, visit www.baddogtheatre.com.