WIT NEWS ITEM | iMusical's Karen Lange and Shelby Sours

The iMusical cast strikes a pose: (back) Karen Lange, Natasha Rothwell, Julie Poteet, Jordan Hirsch, Jason Saenz, Shawn Westfall, (front) Colin Murchie, Shelby Sours. Not pictured: Mark Chalfant, Director Travis Ploeger.

iMUSICAL'S KAREN LANGE AND SHELBY SOURS

POSTED 10.16.06

iMusical marks the first time that WIT has joined forces with other talents from the DC improv scene under the banner of one common show. Hot on the heels of the cast's press preview show on October 12, wit.com sat down with Karen Lange and Shelby Sours to see how things were going ahead of opening night.


Karen and Shelby, thanks for talking with us.

Shelby: My Pleasure.

Karen: Glad to be here!


So tell us a little bit about yourselves... what led you to iMusical?

Shelby: I saw an ad for the auditions on Brian Dragonuk's listserv.

Karen: The audition announcement was forwarded to me by my Comedy Sportz director because she knows I love improv song games. I have been singing in the car and making up new lyrics to songs since I was a kid. I realized that people enjoyed listening to me sing when I tried out for a high school play- and got a huge round of applause from the roomful of fellow auditioners during my audition song. I ended up with a lead and have enjoyed singing since. All the same, I was totally nervous about trying out because I know there are a ton of talented people in WIT.

Shelby: I was freaked out at the audition too. I majored in Music Theatre, love acting and improvising, but had never auditioned for WIT, or- sheepish- seen a WIT show. I was freaked out at the first rehearsal, and totally floored by everybody's rockin ability.

Karen: And here I am.

Shelby: And here we are. Who knew?


Shelby, this is the first time you've actually done any performance improv, is that right?

Shelby: Technically, I performed theatre sports twice in high school. I auditioned for the improv group in college, but they didn't cast me.


Does that make last night's press show your first performance since high school?

Shelby: Yup. I think I have a new ulcer.

Karen: And she was awesome. You'd never guess she didn't do this all the time.

Shelby: You're TOO kind! The support and encouragement from this cast, and especially Travis, has been awesome. Couldn't have done it without you!

Karen: Oooh, I second that. This has been the most supportive group I've ever worked with. It's so crucial to trust the people you're improvising with. And I certainly do.


Karen and Natasha set the scene during a rehearsal for iMusical at Flashpoint.


Does the need for trust go up even more when you're suddenly breaking in to song?

Karen: Without a doubt, yes.

Shelby: I agree. When your held to the music, it's even more important to know your scene partner won't let the ball drop.

Karen: You need to know that when you start singing your castmates are going to go with you during that song. In our first rehearsals, we didn't do a lot of backup singing, but we started doing a lot of group numbers recently and it is such a rush to have people filling in around a melody you're creating or to be able to add that little bit of harmony or extra oomph to someone else's song. The best part, though, is when you can look at someone and suddenly know exactly what they'll sing next. And you do it together. That feels- and I do not use this term lightly because it sounds lame otherwise- magical.

Shelby: There was a moment last night when I just looked at Natasha and was like "Your turn!" And she was right there. THAT is a major rush.

Karen: The longer we work together, the more that happens. We've had some songs in rehearsal, most recently one I did with Jason, where that worked so beautifully.

Shelby: This improvising stuff is incredibly empowering, and admittedly intimidating.

Karen: Makes me giddy with delight.

Shelby: Tee hee!


So what's the cast's verdict on the press preview? Any moments of magic last night?

Karen: We felt really good at the end of the performance. Energized. Backstage was hugs and happiness.

Shelby: For me- the whole thing. Being my first and all. The thrill of riffing with the audience...

Karen: You never forget your first time, Shelby.

Shelby: And I'm so happy you were there! We had a lot of fun.

Karen: While you're rehearsing, there's obviously no audience, so you end up trying to make each other laugh.

Shelby: which gets harder and harder.

Karen: Which can be hard, when you're surrounded by hilarious people. Travis mentioned that the other day and it's true. Having the audience reaction is such a treat after performing in the empty room.

Shelby: But last night's crowd was fresh and totally receptive.

Karen: This was the first show I've ever done that was attended by press. It adds a certain danger... you don't want to fall flat.

Shelby: True dat.

Karen: You can't concentrate on that. Ultimately, the whole point is to get out there and be who you're going to be for the scene. If you think about it too much, you get stuck in your head, trying to be clever instead of reacting authentically to situations.


Mark and Shelby on stage at Flashpoint.


Karen, you were cast as a bit of a villain last night, weren't you?

Karen: I was, indeed.

Shelby: Wicked, wicked woman.

Karen: I ran a "camp" for pregnant teens. I stole the babies and made them work, then sold them to a local diner for their new "special." I like being a villain sometimes- it's fun to play a broad character and provide some conflict. It's good to be bad. And, of course, there's the fact that I am evil to the core in real life.


Is there anything that's off-limits for you guys when the curtain goes up? How do you deal with some of the more touchy subjects in a musical show?

Karen: That's a great question, actually. Whenever you are dealing with an audience suggestion, you have to be prepared for what you get. There's always someone who wants to see something a bit blue or dark. We all know that you don't have to be blue to be funny and interesting. Sure, there are big topics in life that make for interesting scenes- but we don't do the shock value thing. We're not interested in making audiences uncomfortable. Mostly, we want to be truthful to characters and the experiences we put them in. That is what will make an audience interested and engaged.


There was some really positive feedback posted to the iMusical webpage... what's your favorite part about the show in general?

Shelby: As I mentioned before, the best part about the show for me is working with such a tight ensemble.

Karen: I think it's what I mentioned before- the magic moment of looking at one of your cast mates and knowing exactly what you'll both do next. It's rare to have that group mind connection, even when you've worked with people for a while. And it's those moments that work so well for the players and the audience members alike. If we enjoy ourselves, the audience will, too.

Shelby: And we certainly know how to have fun. The other part that I enjoy is the music. Making up songs on the spot can be quite liberating!

Karen: I agree- making up songs is the best thing ever.


So DC will get to see this show for the first time this Thursday... what do you hope audiences will take away from it?

Karen: I hope audiences watch, laugh, and walk away thinking they were part of something unique- a moment that will never happen again. I hope they remember what it was like to be a little kid and immerse yourself in pretend worlds- that you can be a grownup and still know how to play.

Shelby: I also hope they are floored by our sheer wit and talent.

Karen: Agreed. Floored. Stunned. Flabbergasted.


What about you guys? When you close your eyes at night, what's the shining iMusical moment you dream about?

Karen: Really and truly? That I start a song, the cast joins in. Suddenly the audience is singing, too. We all leave the theatre and start marching through Washington, just like in the Music Man or something. I'm carried on the shoulders of strapping young men. That whole one voice starting & the whole world with you. Oh, and I can do cartwheels and back flips. Now THAT would be something.

Shelby: THAT would be almost worth charging admission.


Anything else you'd like to say before we wrap this up?

Karen: This is definitely one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done and I'm so excited to be part of it. Come on out and we'll show you a good time!

Shelby: Ditto! I'm delighted to be a part of the stellar WIT family.


iMusical: The Improvised Musical! officially opens to the public at Flashpoint on Thursday, October 19 (with a pay-what-you-can preview on Wednesday the 18th). Buy your tickets now!