The Memorial Union’s Maintenance Shop was nearly filled to capacity for Grandma Mojo’s second improv comedy show of the school year.
The theme for the show Wednesday was business casual. Student performers and attendees flooded in the doors decked out in blazers and slacks ready to watch this week’s performance.
The show kicked off with a few announcements about Grandma Mojo’s improv and other upcoming events taking place in the Memorial Union Maintenance Shop. Events include open mic, sub comedy nights and a musical performance by indie band Arcy Drive Sep. 13.
Announcements were followed by a grand entrance of the five “mojos,” or improv actors. The audience roared with applause as the stars took their stage.
After a brief introduction to the Grandma Mojo’s team and a few jokes poking fun at Donald Trump attending this week’s CyHawk game, the Mojos asked the audience who was attending their first improv show. Nearly the entire audience raised their hands as Thursday’s show served as an introduction to improv for many in attendance.
The Mojos kicked off the action with some “freeze skits” in which the actors participated in a scene until another Mojo said “freeze,” stopping the scene. That Mojo would then swap out with one of the others involved in the previous skit and resume an entirely new scene from the same position. The skits were a hit with the audience and eased the crowd into a night packed with laughter.
Following a few more skits including Frosty the Snowman’s romantic tobogganing date, the Mojos began a new game in which one of the Mojos wore noise canceling headphones and was to blurt out words to be incorporated in the skit whenever their head was tapped. The game left the audience in hysterics as the night began to ramp up.
It was then time to get the audience members involved as an individual was selected from the crowd to judge which Mojo would be the most worthy applicant for the position of Mattel CEO.
The Mojos got the audience members involved once again in their next game. Two student volunteers took the stage and were required to make up sound effects for each of the Mojo’s actions in their skit. One of the audience volunteers even brought his brass instrument on stage with him, which made for some hysterical interactions.
Following the sound effects skits, the show came to a brief intermission for students and visitors to stretch their legs and indulge in snacks and refreshments.
When the show resumed, the Mojos took part in an audience favorite game called “household Olympics.” In this game, two Mojos acted as sports commentators while another two participated in acting out the extreme version of household chores. In this week’s edition of household Olympics, spectators witnessed two Mojos demonstrate their best techniques for cleaning toilets which showcased masterful licking and caressing techniques of said imaginary toilet.
The Mojos then transitioned into another audience favorite which featured one actor assuming the role of an employee who was late to work. The Mojo then attempted to explain his excuse to the boss based solely on the silent actions of the other Mojos. The game made for some hilarious excuses, most of which would probably get you fired on the spot if you tried on your real boss.
The night concluded with a series of prompts written by audience members in which two teams of Mojos competed head to head for the best response. After a hard fought battle, team “Sexy Kangaroos” took home to win and all of its glory.
Grandma Mojo’s second show of the school year proved to be a big hit with audience members and seemed to have attracted many new fans of improv comedy.
Grandma Mojo’s next performance will take place Sep. 20 at 8 p.m. A full list of upcoming Grandma Mojo’s shows and other M-Shop events can be viewed on the Maintenance Shop’s calendar.
