Out of Bounds Pick: Pimprov

Chicago improviser Bill Arnett has this great theory about how every improv show is in fact two improv shows: “One show is called ‘Harold’ or ‘Montage’ or ‘Armando,’ the other show is called ‘A bunch of people up on a stage making things up.’ One show is the one we want the audience to see, the other is the one they can’t help but see.”

Arnett’s fellow Chicagoans in Pimprov add another show into this mix—it’s called “A bunch of people on stage pretending to be pimps making things up.” Yes, despite their flamboyant attire, grandiose pseudonyms and claims to pimping glory, Grand Finale, Pimpin’ Poochie and Ho’lease (Marz Timms, Keith Smitherman and Mark Bratton, respectively) aren’t really pimps. They are, however, champions of persona-based improv, crafting shows where the interactions between the pimp characters are as crucial as the interaction between the characters played by the pimps. Pimprov is like a comedic Russian nesting doll, but diamond-encrusted and joyfully un-PC.

And note well: The pimpinestly dressed audience member at the Pimprov show, Sunday night at Esther's Pool, will net three Out of Bounds Festival T-shirts (1 from this year, 1 from Out of Bounds West 2008, and 1 from the first year we had shirts, 2005). Score! Video of Pimprov after the jump.