CENTER STAGE: Lo Mein

GROUP: Without a Net As with most improv performances, the participation of the audience was key to the success of the show. Although small, Saturday night's enthusiastic and active audience helped keep the comedians on their toes. Dull moments were rare, and the few times that a joke fell flat the quick-witted performers saved themselves. One of the best aspects of the show was the strong chemistry between cast members. Without their ability to play off each other as expertly as they did, the show would have suffered. The cast used each other as props and "right-hand men." With each new situation, the ease with which each performer slipped into drastically different roles should be commended. Certain performers helped carry the show particularly well, lending it a professional flair. Senior Avish Parashar was seldom thrown by the sometimes bizarre audience requests and his wit was sharp and quick. The flamboyant and fantastic senior Riaz Patel was in his element each time a crazy audience suggestion was thrown his way. Senior Andrea Kemp was an expert at kooky but realistic accents and really threw herself into every part. And freshman Katherine Minarik's biting wit was tempered by a sweet attitude. Several skits lending themselves to improv comedy were used, and most were a smashing success. Among the most memorable were "Look at That," a wacky game show with an audience-generated title, and a musical about shaving. A "radio show," during which all the house lights were off, forced the comedians to rely only on their voices for their comedy. The Chinese food theme in the show's title found its way into a few skits, proving to be a recipe for success. --Katie Haegele