'An Improvised Piece of Pulp!' Coming To Synergy Theater

WALNUT CREEK, CA - From Synergy Theater, Lesher Arts Center: Synergy Theater, the folks who brought you Z is for…Zombie: An Improvised Zombie Apocalypse! and Spontaneous Sitcom: An Improvised TV Comedy! is back at the Lesher Center for the Arts, at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, with the world premiere of their original show Spontaneous Noir: An Improvised Piece of Pulp! Inspired by audience suggestions and made up on the spot, Spontaneous Noir is a loving tribute to the classic Hollywood genre. They perform Friday – Saturday, April 19 – 21 at 8:15 pm and Sunday, April 22 at 3:15 pm.

“We throw in everything!” explains Synergy Theater’s Artistic Director, Kenn Adams. “Hard-boiled detectives, femme fatales, nefarious crime bosses, mysterious phone calls, dark alleys, drug-induced nightmares, traumatic flashbacks…you name it.”

“Film Noir was all about fatalism,” says veteran company member Nikki Vilas, “The notion that life is predetermined and you can’t escape your fate. So, when we get our character suggestions from the audience, we ask them what happens to our characters at the end of the play. For example, “How do I buy it in the end?” or “Which other character do I end up betraying?” And then, as we improvise the play, we weave together all of these character threads into one story that brings each character to their predetermined fate.”

“Classic Film Noir explored the dark and seedy side of human nature,” adds Synergy newcomer Andrea Papa. “The type of crime and corruption that springs forth from our basest of instincts; greed, lust, envy. And, it’s really fun to explore those things through the art of improvisation, which is usually reserved for lighter subject matters. ”

Synergy Theater brings Spontaneous Noir: An Improvised Piece of Pulp to the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek on Thursday – Saturday, April 19 – 21, at 8:15 pm and on Sunday, April 22 at 3:15 pm.

About Kenn Adams, Artistic Director
Kenn Adams has over 25 years of experience as a professional improviser and is the author of the book How to Improvise a Full-Length Play: The Art of Spontaneous Theater. He began his career in New York City as a performing member of Freestyle Repertory Theater, aka TheaterSports New York. With FRT, Kenn performed TheaterSports on New York City's famed Theater Row for ten years. During this time, he created the well-known short-form improv games Sit, Stand and Kneel and Ding/Buzz (or The Family Dinner). Both of those games have become staples of the short-form improv stage and were featured regularly on the popular television shows Whose Line is it Anyway? and Trust Us With Your Life. Kenn also created The Story Spine, a simple tool for learning and practicing the fundamentals of improvisational storytelling. The Story Spine has been embraced by improvisers, writers, directors and instructors the world over.

WHERE: The Lesher Center for the Arts, Vukasin Theatre, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

WHEN: Thursday – Saturday, April 19 - 21, at 8:15 pm, Sunday, April 21, at 3:15 pm

TICKETS: $20.00 Buy online at www.lesherartscenter.org or by phone at (925) 943-7469

Photo courtesy of Synergy Theater