At eight o'clock on a Friday night, Andy's, the campus eatery famous for its smoothies, is usually not the place to be. Even earlier in the day, the center of attention is usually the widescreen TV hanging on the back wall. However, on September 16, the No Parking Players transformed the otherwise empty room into an enthralling stage with their yearly debut performance.

The student-run improvisational (improv) group is part of the Scotch'n'Soda Theatre and is known for its hilarious performances that often involve singing, dancing, gibberish, and, almost invariably, audience participation. NPP, as it is commonly known, regularly string together their own unique cocktail of improvisation games such as "Cliché Family Feud" and "Sit Stand Lie." The presentation resembles – though, according to most opinions, is funnier than – that of the television show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" which appears on ABC. September 16's performance was comprised of artistic director and SCS senior Joshua Hailpern, SCS junior Will Haines, HSS sophomore Julia Hayden Brown, SCS junior Alex Grubb, HSS junior Gerrit Betz, and SCS sophomore Dan Tasse.

Tasse announced one of the skits of the show: "Love Song." Calling upon a member of the audience, whom he seated at the front of the room, Tasse asked a series of questions such as, "What is your major?" and "What is the craziest place you've ever visited?" Using this information, fellow NPPers Betz and Hailpern sung the unsuspecting student a love song.

The group presented other various skits that were all equally impulsive.  In "Chain Murder Mystery," participants communicate information about a murder in an interesting hybrid of "telephone" and charades.  In "Public Service Announcement," the NPP performers inform the audience of an important crisis of their choice, in this case the musical trio Hanson, famous for their song "MmmBop!"

The NPP opening performance was a success, both as a performance and as an advertisement for the group. A few minutes after the show had begun, there were only a few open seats.  The audience reacted fervently to the show. 

NPP also announced that its improv workshops are held every Thursday and Sunday in Baker Hall. As Hailpern explained during one such meeting, NPP is open to all majors and schools. The group's next performance is this Friday, and NPP hopes for a similar turnout to last week's show.

Upcoming fall 2005 NPP performance dates are September 30, October 14, November 4, November 18, and December 9. All shows start at 8 p.m. in Andy's Lounge in the basement of the University Center. Shows last approximately an hour. Year-long workshops are on Sundays from 3-5 p.m. in Baker Hall 235B and Thursdays from 8-10 p.m. in Baker Hall 235B.

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