THE VILLA JIDIOTS
WHAT'S NEW WITH THE JIDIOTS
HAPPY PILL CIRCUS: CURE FOR THE WINTER BLUES
Chris
and Alexander recently performed at the Iron Horse Music Hall
with our accompanist, Drake Descant and a lot of other talented
local perfomers at local trad-jazz band The Primate Fiasco's
winter consert/fun fest, The Happy Pill Circus. The trio improvised
three musical numbers based on audience suggestions. To keep
with the circus theme, Al and Chris created the roles of refugee
Northeastern-Southwestern European circus performers Herr Dreier
and Anika Schlabbengerberbaakenskidevorak who have come to Northampton
to make a new life and do what they most love: entertain. More
photos from this fun evening are at: http://www.theprimatefiasco.com/photopages/HappyPillCircus1.htmlHappyPillCircus1.html
WANT A UNIQUE WEDDING TREAT? TRY THE JIDIOTS!
The Jidiots recently fullfilled
a life-long dream: Performing at a wedding dressed like pirates!
We had a great time, the crowd at the wedding, also dressed like
pirates, had a great time, and the two lady admirals who tied
the knot had a great time. The Jidiots can do customized comedy
at your special event! You name it! If it is within our comfort
zone, we're willing to do anything for a laugh!
JIDIOTS WOW MAJESTIC THEATRE CROWD
On August 22, 2006 The Villa Jidiots
once again took the stage at the Majestic Theatre and held their
comedy magnifying glass to summer fun, as part of their Summer
Concert Series. Last year's show featured monologues about fictitious
fat-camp Camp Iwannateeniehinee, and this year the group skewered
the company picnic as we met characters from multinational chemical
giant Consolidated Retrofitted Amalgamated Products, also known
as C-RAP. From the CEO to the Head of Human Resources to the
Administrative Assistant, no one was safe. The combination of
improv and scripted pieces garnered a standing ovation from the
packed crowd. We're glad the audience had as much fun as we did!
JIDIOTS BORN TO BE WILD AT HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
In celebration of their very successful capital
campaign, The Gift of Opportunity, the Jidiots took the stage
at the brand new Kittredge Business Center at Holyoke Community
College. Dr. Ned Barowsky, campaign chair, love to ride his motorcycle,
so to honor him, the Jidiots also donned motorcycle gear and
inducted the lead players in the campaign into the "Gang
of Opportunity." We have to say that it is no wonder the
campaign was such a success with the great team of people the
college assembled. They were great sports with terrific senses
of humor. Maybe the next campaign will be called Laugh Your Way
to Success?
FULL MOON FUN IN WENDELL
The Full Moon Coffee House in Wendell
is locally legendary. So many great music acts have performed
at this great community coffee house in benefit of some great
local causes, you can imagine the Villa Jidiots were deeply honored
when we got the call to participate as part of this year's line-up!
Despite a forecast calling for icy conditions, we had a great
crowd of old and new fans. What a blast! We can't think of a
better way to warm up on a cold January 2006 evening! Thanks
to everyone that came out in support of the Jidiots, Social Workers
for Social Change and a local
hero like the Full Moon! Especially all those folks that were
here because they aren't all there!
JIDIOTS PERFORM AT UNITED WAY VOLUNTEER EVENT
On January 21, 2006 the Jidiots
Performed at the United Way of Pioneer Valley's First Annual
UNITED WAY CELEBRATION. This special private event honored everyone
who is working hard to make this year's United Way Campaign a
success.
JIDIOTS TAKE THE STAGE AT FIRST NIGHT NORTHAMPTON 2006
This year marked what we think
might be our ninth year performing at First Night Northampton.
This year, thanks to Art Steele's wonderful sound engineering,
more than 800 people were able to enjoy our first night show
at First Churches and hear every word! We had a great time playing
together and were joined on stage by some great audience members.
Thanks to all of our fans for making another New Year's Eve very
special for all of the Jidiots. (And thanks to the First Night
Northampton for inviting us back to perform each year!)
NEW CENTURY THEATRE BENEFIT
The Villa Jidiots had a great time
on September 24, 2005 performing at the 15th anniversary benefit
for New Century Theatre. Karen, Chris, Al, Cathy, Kelsey and
Julie all kept the black-tie audience in stitches. Highlights
featured a sideshow showcasing moments in NCT's past and future,a
scene ending in death by laughter, recreations of the plays "Proof"
and "Skylight" with just one actor on book, the other
improvising the lines and jokes about things you find in the
theatre. The Jidiots wish NCT another wonderful 15 years!
JIDIOTS CORPORATE WORKSHOPS AND SHOWS ARE A HIT!
The Jidiots have been getting more and more requests for corporate workshops and performances. We have done classes and seminars on how improv skills can enhance communication, creativity and productivity in the workplace. Workshops range from one hour to all day sessions. Our clients have included The Five Colleges, A. W. Hastings Company, Holyoke Community College and The Boston Society for Architects. Send us an email on the contact page if you want more information on workshops and shows like these.
JIDIOTS PERFORM AT 2005 SMPS NORTHEAST REGIONAL CONFERENCE
On March 17, the Jidiots
performed at Marketing Madness, the regional conference for the
Society of Marketing Professional Services at the Hotel Northampton.
The said some nice stuff about us in their brochure:
"Get ready to be part
of the entertainment as the Villa Jidiots bring their wacky brand
of improv comedy to our dinner. They make comedy happen right
on the spot by using audience
suggestions – and sometimes audience members themselves!
The troupe creates scenes, sings songs, and recites poems with
a spontaneity and edge that has made them the A/E/C choice
for comic entertainment."
JIDIOTS GET FUTURISTIC FOR THE UNITED WAY
On January 16, 2005 the United
Way of Hampshire County held a gala event, FastForward 350. The
black-tie event was designed to be a tribute to the last 350
years of rich history, with a theatrical peek into what the future
may hold. An eclectic range of entertainment was featured, including
famed cellist Matt Haimovitz, Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul,
& Mary), Chaos Theory Dance, members of the Villa Jidiots
as well as futuristic and interactive exhibits of lights and
sounds.
Jidiots Julie Waggoner and Chris Cronin performed at the event as Smith College students from the year 2345...and the two eighty-year-old Ada Comstock Students didn't look a day over 70 thanks to modern technology and protein capsules!
FAREWELL TO PEKING GARDEN
In
the Summer of 2004, the Jidiots said farewell to our home at
Peking Garden. After four years of great monthly shows, it was
sad to say so-long. We wish the Ng family, former owners of Peking
Garden, a happy retirement and thank all of our wonderful fans
who laughed with us while enjoying delicious shiny foods and
exotic drinks.
We soon hope to have a new home where we will regularly perform. We'll keep you posted!
JIDIOTS PERFORM AT BUILD BOSTON
Architects and designers got a taste of the Jidiots
at the 20th Annual Build Boston conference in November 2004.
Jidiots Julie Waggoner and Chris Cronin taught a workshop on
improv for designers at this big regional event.
Click on the logo for more information.