theatresports
Written by Freestyle Repertory Theatre and the audience
The Gallery Players at 199 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
January 26, 2024
I had the best time at Theatresports and laughed from start to finish. The diverse, inclusive crowd made the atmosphere all the more vibrant, and I even bumped into a friend!
Before the show, I overheard a mother explaining improv to her young child: “We don’t know what the show will be because it hasn’t been written yet.” The child nodded, satisfied with this explanation, as the house opened. That moment stuck with me because it encapsulated the spirit of improv—it’s all about the unknown and deciding to enjoy the ride.
Presented by The Gallery Players and Freestyle Repertory Theatre, Theatresports is 60 minutes of high-energy, creative, and immersive family entertainment. Freestyle Rep has been bringing improv to New York City audiences since 1983, while also expanding into schools to teach children invaluable life skills—like creativity, collaboration, and thinking on their feet—all while having an incredible amount of fun.
The referee for the evening, Michael Durkin, kept the energy high and the laughs rolling as two teams—Diego Carvajal and Laura Livingston for Team Red, and Andrew Del Vecchio and Adam Payne for Team Blue—competed in a series of fast-paced improv challenges. From the moment the show started, the audience was fully engaged. Kids and adults alike participated in throwing out wild suggestions and cheering for their favorite moments.
Some of the highlights? A whimsical story about Harry Potter, a giraffe, and vacuuming; a mustard-related epic that was both hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt (“Mustard is very valuable!”); a playful take on the chivalry of The Lord of the Rings; and a rapid-fire genre-switching challenge that showcased the performers’ incredible range and talent. Each scene was creative, clever, and completely unique.
With about 30-40 kids in the audience, the performers skillfully kept things family-friendly and entertaining for all ages. Adults were just as into the action as the kids, proving that theatre really can be fun for everyone. The show’s combination of quick thinking, physical comedy, and storytelling made it a joy to watch from beginning to end.
If you have 60 minutes to spare, Theatresports is the perfect way to spend it. This is live theatre at its best—fun, fast, and bursting with creativity.
Click HERE for tickets.
Reviewed by Malini Singh McDonald.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on January 19th, 2025. All rights reserved.