Hey, lemme tell you about The Black Version. The Black Version is an improv troupe that performs in various venues around Los Angeles. It's a band of ridiculously-skilled black actors who create an entire "movie" right before your eyes on stage.
What kind of movie? A black movie. The way it works is that their fine director, Karen Murayama, asks the audience to name iconic motion pictures that didn't have an all-black cast. A list is compiled and then the audience votes as to which one they'd like to see converted into a movie with an all-black cast. Then the one that gets the most votes is accordingly converted. The first time I saw them at work, it was Forrest Gump. Last night, it was Thelma and Louise.
Last night, they were at the Improv up on Melrose. The cast varies but last night, it consisted of — gee, I hope I get all these names right — Daniele Gaither, Nyima Funk, Gary Anthony Williams, Cedric Yarbrough, Jordan Black and Phil LaMarr. I know Phil real well and he'd told me they were real good but he didn't tell me they were this real good. They also have a great little band accompanying them and I apologize I don't know the musicians' names.
The not-all-black movie is hilariously transformed. Ms. Murayama is constantly asking the audience for suggestions as to what characters should be named and how the story should go…and every suggestion is instantly incorporated. Now and then, someone breaks into an improvised song that sounds like someone spent a week writing it.
As with all improv, it doesn't work to quote lines the next day. You have to be there. I will try to post here when I find out about their next performance because you have to be there.