by Tom Provenzano

Theatre Pick of the Week:
True Fiction Magazine

A fine troupe of actors demonstrates remarkable commitment to the style and rules of the improv format. Each performance is original and never-to-be-duplicated, so it's pointless to retrace the plot points of the show this reviewer caught. Yet each evening is marked by a consistent satire of film noir that never quite crosses over into eye-rolling camp, staying within the bounds of the genre. Audiences are asked to come up with the main title for the evening and a few story-within-the-story titles of magazine articles. With just that much information, the performers dive headlong into fascinating tales of romance, intrigue and crime. Though each actor has specialties, nothing seems predictable or planned. Most important, they listen carefully to each other, supporting every change in action or character suggested by a fellow cast member. The result is a consistently funny, unusually sharp display of improvised scenes. Complementing the fine ensemble work are the musical accompaniment and sound effects, which are exquisitely timed, selected and performed by keyboardist J. Raoul Brody.

Hudson Theater, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; thru Oct. 5. (888) 566-8499.