Candy, flowers, champagne. It sounds like the perfect Valentine’s Day. But for those at the Livery Theater in Ventura, the night also included made-up love songs, a slap in the face, and roaring laughter as they celebrated the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of love.
Ventura College student Ryan Callahan said the show was great. “It was one of those events after you go once you want to go again to see if they can top the night before,” said Callahan.
The Livery Theater’s annual Valentine’s Day improv comedy show Feb. 11 was part of the themed Ventura Area TheatreSports’ competitions. People of all ages were welcome, couples and singles. For $10 admission, they got Hershey kisses, champagne or sparkling cider, and a rose. The actors competed in a manner similar to the television show “Who’s Line Is It Anyway” while the audience decided the winners.
The Ventura Area TheatreSports, or VATS, is a nonprofit performance and educational improvisational group formed in 1989. The VATS have been running and performing in the Livery Theater since 1997.
The group opens the theater for improvisational workshops for all ages, with prices ranging from free to $10 per session. Every Friday and Saturday the VATS perform with different improvisational formats ranging from match style, with teams, to improvisational tournaments for all levels of performers.
The Valentine’s Day show was a VATS’ special event Miestro style, hosted by Tom Mueller, the Livery Theater Director.There were three rounds. Each player was assigned a number. At random Mueller drew their numbers to act out a scene, and the audience voted by applause.
The last improvisers standing won. The audience voted Gary Best, Dave Newcommer, and Beck Haycox the winners.
Tournaments are scheduled Fridays at 8 p.m. until March 17. Tickets are $7.50. VATS vs. LATS, the LA chapter of TheatreSports, is Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8.50. Featured bands including Id, Taishakuten, Mama Jojo on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. ticket prices vary.
For more information call 643-5701 or check on their website at www.liverytheatre.org.
