schedule
Ferrari McSpeedy Theatrical Productions
Comedy Go!
Thu., Jul. 30 @ 5:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 4:00 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 5 @ 8:30 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 6 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 9 @ 1:00 p.m.
Warning! Adult language
Venue U of M Rarig Center Thrust
For ages 15+
Created by Ferrari McSpeedy
Web site www.ferrarimcspeedy.com
genres Improv, Comedy
Overall rating
User reviews
Wild Ride!
by Sid Solomon Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Joe and Mike decided to spend their last day at the Fringe bringing back Punk Rock Omaha, their successful show from the 2002 Festival. They said they had to cram real hard the night before to remember all their lines. It didn't show. Portraying at least a dozen different characters between the two of them, with tongues firmly planted in cheeks, this comedy duo had their crowd laughing all the way through, giving high octane performances with nary a chance to breathe. Kudos for their bravery and gusto, and especially to Fotis, who can bring a house down simply by laughing at himself.
Fun and occasionally awkward
by Mr. Josh Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The show I saw included a lot of Chiquita banana. I dig it.
As with (most?) improv comedy, there were bits that should have gone longer, bits that should have been shorter, and bits that shoulda died a'bornin.
Enjoy!
They Both Have Beards Now
by Ben Thietje Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
"45 minutes of improv?" I said to myself, "There's just no way".
Well there is a way. And it's an awesome way. Mike and Joe did it! They really, really did it!
I'm so happy.
TEN STARS, emphatically.
by Courtney McLean Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I couldn't be completely present during their performance because I was picking out moments to absolutely rave about in this review. I have been told time and time again that I MUST SEE FERRARI MCSPEEDY. I am familiar with these dudes' work via BNW, but not as a team. And let me tell you: I AM SOLD. And what took me so long?
It felt like a rough start, with the two of them on opposite sides of the stage at profile, facing each other awkwardly and just talking out the scene. Then, scene by scene, they created these worlds through a trusting thoughtfulness that didn't rush: whereas other improv groups would have a gaping hole between lines, FM let a moment linger deliciously. There was one scene where Mike lay dying in horrible pain while Joe played a bumbling EMT in a separate locale, getting the ambulance ready to come save Mike (or Joe's OTHER character, who also lay dying; EMT Joe couldn't save BOTH, of course! That would be TOO EASY! Hilarious & impossible choices). Joe took his precious time checking and re-checking the ambulance while we watched Mike's character suffer, but the more time Joe spent meticulously getting his ambulance ready, the funnier it got. Physicality, character voices, choices in words: FM is easily the best improv group I've ever seen live.
Where other improv groups may have chosen to bulldoze through the scene or cling to a moment that means nothing, these dudes squeeze the sweetest juice from the fruit they plant. BRAVO. And lucky you, if you missed this show, they're a TC staple. See you at the next show.
Go See? Go!
by Nick Decker Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The first three sets have been amazing, and if you haven't seen Ferrari McSpeedy's improv, don't miss their fourth set. While 45 minutes seems daunting, the duo does not flag in intensity.
Improv at its best
by Val Rigsbee Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I am blown away every time I see these guys - they are so good at what they do. And Lauren Anderson, the "guest star" last night, can do no wrong - she is AMAZING. Want to know what good improv looks like? See this show.
Always a pleasure...
by David Beukema Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Being a longtime Ferrari McSpeedy fan, I was of course thrilled and delighted by their current offering at the Fringe. And as a special treat, the great Lauren Anderson sat in with them as a special guest! What could be finer?
Mike and Joe delivered as they always do, giving improv the best name it can have. Sharp, witty, inventive, kooky, and twisted - it felt good to laugh so much and so loud. Two ladyfriends of mine who were McSpeedy virgins were converts afterwards. Chances are, when these guys have a show, my butt will be in a seat.
Oh, and Lauren should totally keep the Fruit Hat Lady as a permanent character. Just sayin'.
"Allow me to remain an enigma to you"
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I saw this right after "Death Camp Diaries", and it made me laugh anyway. Improv is always a bit uneven but Ferris McSpeedy and a female guest star did pretty well. They took one suggestion from the audience and then rattled on for fifty minutes, nonstop. Three and a half kitties, rounded up for never letting it sag for long. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.
Longer reviews with pictures at Baron Dave's LiveJournal and snarky comments on Facebook.
Still crazy...
by Mickey Foley Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The legendary local improv duo keeps on truckin' with a reliably witty show.
Go!
by Clarence Wethern Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Ferrari McSpeedy is an improv comedy staple here in the Twin Cities, and they never disappoint. Mike and Joe have a relaxed, inviting style of play, and they're both unapologetically goofy and sharply witty. This is a guaranteed good time.
go see!
by Carin Bratlie Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
These two are funny, funny men. I'd offer to have their babies if that weren't totally inappropriate.
Go Comedy!
by Bill Young Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Improv can be really, really terrible. These guys aren't. Very recommended for people who like things that are awesome.
I love these guys...
by Jennifer Abbey Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
...and I love Improv! If you want a refreshing set of improv from two of the Twin Cities' best, you will enjoy Comedy Go!
Reliably Good
by Melissa Beukema Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I think before going in to an improv performance it's helpful to understand that suggestions inspire rather than become the subject of the set.
Their clever integration of call backs, self-referential off-stage happenings, in the moment surprises is what makes them some of the best improvisers in town.
Good show!
Needs more variety in improv
by Gregory Abbott Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
The best I can say is that a few of the skits were great, some were really bad, most were so-so. Was way too themed on the topic of killing people. And the one audience suggestion for plumber was barely mentioned. Was uneven, but it's hard to make everything shine without a script.
Improv is hard
by Levi Weinhagen Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
If there were two improv robots who could master the art and become the funniest and most powerful improv duo on the planet they would learn of Ferrari McSpeedy and self-destruct out of inferiority.
I enjoyed it.
Nice Form
by Christopher Kidder Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Ferrari McSpeedy doesn't bring the hardcore laughs when improving as much as they do in their scripted shows, but they do reach a level of truth and beauty that is terrific and still funny.
For more in-depth thoughts: Fringe By Numbers
Nice!
by Julie Blaha Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Long form improvisation is the bungee jumping of unscripted comedy. This team is impressive - 40 minutes with one word of suggestion, creating scenes and characters that interweave into a surprisingly coherent story. Loved it.
Improv done well
by CT Toll Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Expectations were running high - and when you've seen them put together brilliant scripts, you do kinda miss the old style. But they are very talented guys and I respect that you can't ask them to keep playing the same game all the time.
Hillarious and a trainwreck
by evelyn blum Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
Hillarious moments, Fotis was right on, but the dead spots were really loud. I think it needs a couple shows to work through itself.
Unique Comedy Style
by William Beeman Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Mike and Joe have a wonderfully unique comedy style. I would call it "hypertext" comedy, as they make a reference to an event and then switch frames to show the event they are referencing at an instant. They seem exceptionally aware of each other's body movements and are instantly in sync as they switch through several ongoing stories in flashbacks and embedded reference. That being said, they seemed a little off stride in their initial presentation. I am certain they will click more consistently as their run continues.
OK improv
by Dave Larson Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I was looking forward to starting the Fringe with Ferrari McSpeedy, and it was full of laughs, but I liked their scripted shows better. There seemed to be quite a bit of dead spots in the show. They will probably get better as the Fringe progresses.
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