FRIGID '08: Subway Series

New Format Improvisation's Subway Series is about as fun as spending the day on the L train.

Subway Series, the Frigid Festival show by comedy group New Format Improvisation, is proof positive that "new" isn't always "improved." Their hourlong improv set was disorganized, maddeningly incoherent and, worst, lacking in humor. Opening with a frenetic, unexplained burst of silent improv, the members of New Format Improvisation devoted the majority of their set to setting up for a few brief improvised sketches, which apparently required the members to fan out into the audience to intrusively converse with girls while shouting out random lines. The show started to cohere towards the end, but the lack of communication with the audience led to long segments of inaccessible games and verbal jousts taking place on stage, with the spectators sitting confused and numb. The appearance of a mouse on stage during the show forced cast members into spontaneity as they caught and removed it: this only served to highlight what was missing from the program surrounding it.

NOW PLAYING AT THE FRIGID FESTIVAL
March 4 and 7 at 9PM, March 5 at 10:30PM
Running time: 1 hour
Under St. Mark's (94 St. Mark's Place)
For more information about the Frigid Fest, visit frigidnewyork.info