Whirled News Tonight
Long running show at iO Chicago which features satirical improvisations based on current events originally directed by Jason Chin.
Original Cast
The original cast assembled by Jason Chin included: Marla Cáceres, Alex Eilhauer, John P. Glynn, Sarah Haskins, Jordan Klepper, Arnie Niekamp, Eddie Piña, Steve Waltien, Shane Wilson, and Matt Young. They were joined by Padraic Connelly shortly into the original run.
Show Description
- "In Whirled News Tonight, audience members provide the inspiration for an evening of live comedy by picking their top stories from the day's news. From these journalistic suggestions, a team of experienced improvisers create a fast-paced, topical, intelligent, hilarious show. Equal parts political satire, news parody and social commentary, Whirled News Tonight is improvisation for the Wall Street Journal set; a production just as sure to spark debate as it is to tickle the funny bone."
- (from the Whirled News Tonight listing on the iO Website, 2024)
Format
Similar in structure to a Monologue Deconstruction, Whirled News Tonight uses articles clipped from the news paper by their audience to serve as the inspiration for their scenes, pulling one clipping at a time and playing a beat of scenes off that article. For their second act each show they ask questions of the audience, like an "advice column," and play beats off of these, often calling back, incorporating, and connecting to scenes and themes built in their first act.
History
Produced by Padraic Connelly from (at least) 2020 to 2024. Producing responsibilities assumed by John Patrick Coan in mid-2024.
Trivia
Links
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