A Nostalgic Night Out at Improv Jam in Asbury Park

This past Saturday, my friends and I attended Improv Jam in at Where Music Lives in Asbury Park. They were running a promotion that if you bring in a prop, you get in for free. We figured we’d hang out in Asbury Park (which may be my current favorite Shore town) and then head over to the show at 9pm.

10+ years ago, these same friends and I used to attend Improv Jam every single weekend when they held their show in Red Bank. I am not exaggerating I was very happy to know that Mike O’Keefe, who started Improv Jam, has kept it alive and kicking after all these year.

Asbury Park isn’t really known for comedy, it’s known for music, beaches, and bars. Improv Jam is currently holding it’s own in a somewhat underground way in Where Music Lives. It’s currently more of a “word of mouth” kind of place,  but it deserves more recognition. The location is a small theater in the back of a record shop. It’s small, it’s intimate and it’s a great way to spend the night laughing.

The night began with performances by the current Improv Jam class. I should add that if you want to take Improv classes (something that I myself is considering) they are only $150 for an 8 week course. That’s an AMAZING deal.

ANYWAY…the current Improv Jam class performed in a sort of “graduation” ceremony and they were a lot of fun. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves and seemed comfortable on stage.

After that, we were entertained by two local stand up comedians who warmed up the crowd, followed by the Improv Jam comedy troupe.

If you’re unfamiliar with improv as a comedy art form, it’s improvised comedy which is curated by suggestions from the audience. I can tell you from an experience that it is a thrill when the comedians act out an idea you have given them.

In fact, one of the props my friend brought was a Full House book, and the comedians acted out scenes from it. It was fantastic.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive night out, and you love to laugh, I can’t recommend Improv Jam enough. It’s great for teens, adults, date night, girl/guys night out etc.

If you go, let them know I sent you!

About Improv Jam

Improv Jam is a South Jersey based improv group that performs weekly at “Asbury Park: Where Music Lives” every Saturday night at 9 PM! For 20 years Improv Jam has been a leader in the underground movement to cultivate New Jersey comedy for the masses, creating a unique performance environment that includes every aspect of comedy. It is this mixture of the various forms of comedy that makes the Improv Jam Comedy Lab unique. Gaps between the various styles of comedy are bridged for performer and audience member alike. Performers from within Improv Jam’s ranks and from the community at large have the rare opportunity to stretch their talents across multiple forms of entertainment in a nurturing environment while audiences are challenged to expand their horizons and educated in forms of comedy they may be less familiar with. Improv Jam alums include Nathan Fillion ( star of ABC’s “Castle” ), Lou Taylor Pucci ( star of “The Story of Luke”, and “Evil Dead” ), and Lorene Scafaria ( writer, “Nick and Nora’s Infinate Playlist”, “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” ). Creative Director of the Improv Jam Comedy Lab, Mike O’Keeffe has been performing and teaching improv comedy professionally for over 20 years. After graduating from Villanova University, he worked in Orlando, Florida performing and writing with the Sak Theatre Comedy Lab. His troupe mates included Wayne Brady ( “Whose Line is it Anyway?” ) Jonathan Mangum ( “Whose Line is it Anyway”), Nathan Fillion ( “Castle” ) and Aaron Shure ( producer / writer: “Everybody Loves Raymond” ). Michael performs weekly with the IMPROV JAM COMEDY LAB, and to date has performed over 6000 comedy shows worldwide. Recently, he performed shows with Wayne Brady and Jonathan Mangum when they toured in support of the hit television show, “Whose Line is it Anyway?”. “Every improv performer in the state has either taken classes from or been in Improv Jam at some point in their life. They are essentially the ones who put improv comedy on the map in New Jersey”. Get tickets in advance HERE
Address: Where Music Lives; 708 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
Phone/Email: (732) 775-8900, improvjamcomedylab@gmail.com
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