For those who like their laughs unscripted, there is a new place in town.
The Gorilla Tango Comedy Theatre is a performance space on Central Avenue that uses no sets, costumes, props and - most importantly - no scripts. Each night is different because the three improvisation teams make up all of the sketches and plays on the spot with suggestions from the audience.
"Improv is basically playing," said Dan Abbate, founder of the comedy theater. "It's having fun with friends in a somewhat organized fashion."
Abbate moved to Albuquerque from Chicago two years ago in hopes of opening a new business. With experience as an actor in the Windy City, Abbate noticed the Duke City had a distinct lack of improv, he said.
"It seemed like Albuquerque could really use a comedic hub," Abbate said. "But it had to be comedy of the highest quality, something that people could respect."
A year ago Abbate began holding auditions to cast some of the zaniest actors in the state. He split up the cast into three teams and prepared the groups for the opening of the Gorilla Tango Comedy Theatre.
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The 120-year-old, two-story building that houses the comedy troupes was completely gutted to give it a fresh look. The walls were painted in an array of colors as wild and bright as the actors of Gorilla Tango.
Rachael Escobedo, a UNM sophomore majoring in mass communications, is a member of Mahatma Blondie, the "young, hip improvisers" group that performs every Friday night.
"It's been amazing," Escobedo said. "It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be. The performances are something I look forward to each week."
In addition to Mahatma Blondie, the Quakamolees and Tao Jones team will perform every Thursday starting in September and provide a taste of long and short-form improv. On Saturday night, the Improvagadadavida team comes up with a full-length play.
"They ask the audience for a title, and a whole new play emerges with characters and a plot," Abbate said.
Wednesday's Big Booty Improv Night gives members of the audience a chance to perform alongside the actors of Gorilla Tango. Because participants make up a big part of the show, admission is reduced to $6 on Wednesdays.
If Big Booty nights aren't enough practice, Gorilla Tango Comedy Theatre also offers eight-week session improv classes for all ages.
Gorilla Tango, unlike other downtown venues, welcomes people of all ages and is an alcohol and smoke-free space. Each show is rated according to content.
"One reason not to serve alcohol here is that there are enough other places in Albuquerque for that," Abbate said. "We want to include everyone from the high school community up to a 60-year-old couple who doesn't want to go to a bar."
Abbate said he hopes his theater will spark interest in improv in Albuquerque.
"Gorilla Tango's goal is not to be a closed group with the same 10 ideas," he said. "What I want is to get fresh ideas out there to continue to advance the quality of improv in the community."
COMING ATTRACTION
Gorilla Tango
519 Central Avenue
Wednesday through
Saturday 7 p.m.
