Polywumpus lives on 'Fringe'

While few people might find hidden meaning in motorcycle riding, Polywumpus -- an improvisational comedy troupe formed by 1995 Engineering graduate Avish Parashar -- discovered it Friday night as part of the Fringe Festival's improv marathon. Before a vocal and applauding crowd at the festival, some of the group's members acted out riding a motorcycle while others attempted to discover its meaning. Raising uproarious laughter from the audience, the troupe interpreted the meaning as humans believing they are immortal, when in fact they are mortal. Created in July 1996, the troupe includes Parashar, 1997 College graduate Nye Warburton, College senior Mike Worth and Craig Liggeons, who did not attend the University. Worth is a member of Without a Net, the University's improvisational comedy group as were Parashar and Warburton during their undergraduate careers at Penn. Parashar said he wanted to continue with improvisational comedy after graduation but could not find a professional group that met his expectations. Frustrated with the Philadelphia improv community, he used some Without a Net connections to gather a few friends and begin Polywumpus. Friday's improv marathon -- one of the group's big gigs thus far -- included Polywumpus and three other Philadelphia troupes. The groups employed various improv styles, ranging from emotional appeals to Polywumpus' fast-paced comedy improv. By entertaining the festival-goers with their hysterical antics, the troupes hoped to heighten awareness of improv in the Philadelphia community, Parashar said. With only four players, Polywumpus was much smaller than the other performing groups, some of which had as many as 15 members. The troupe pared down its membership due to a lack of commitment and group chemistry from former Polywumpus members. While the troupe was initially doubtful of their ability to put on an act with only four members, it is now comfortable with its current numbers. The members added that they will hold auditions October 16, but feel no pressure to accept new members if the candidates do not fit into the group. "We feel that we have a real strong show," Parashar said. "We're sure that 95 percent to 100 percent of people who come to the show will enjoy it." Worth added, "Our comedy appeals to every race, gender and age. It's good for everyone." Off the stage, the members of Polywumpus remain close and spontaneous. Three of the cast members are roommates and all four spend time together outside of the usual three to four hours of weekly rehearsals. Their chemistry is the basis for great improv, Liggeons said, adding that if the cast is having fun on stage, the audience will respond to that and have fun themselves. The immediate goal of Polywumpus "is to perform as much as possible so that people can see us," Warburton said. The group ultimately would like "to perform regularly with a following, to have a regular gig and be known city-wide as an interesting thing to do in Philadelphia," Parashar said.