I just got back from something that I never thought I would have the right to attend - the RI Monthly 'Best Of Rhode Island' party. In a year that has seen more local press then I ever thought possible for the little improv group that could (or couldn't, depending on the night), we landed the mother of them all. In the August issue of RI monthly, Unexpected Company was named Rhode Island's best comedy troupe. You read that right - Unexpected Company, not Ocean State Follies. Those out of state may not understand how big a deal this is. I went to lunch at a place called 'Duffy's Tavern' today. On the front of their menu they had the best of RI logo... From their best seafood win in 1996. Now we can do that, and we have the plaque to prove it. The event was great. Held at Trinity Rep, free food, open bar, psuedo Rhody celebs crawling all over the place - all the while me and my UC associate sticking out like a sore thumb. One of the highlights was the auction of RI centric items. The crown jewel was a walk on role in the upcoming 'Prince Of Providence' film (it only went for $1,200!). That stuff was cool and all, but the real cool thing was the fact that we were even there to begin with. Since I joined this group (consisting of 5 people at the first rehersal), I have been through a ton of shit in a year and a half. There have been the good: cover feature in projo arts, sold out one year anniversary show, providence improv fest. And the bad: selfish people along the way, shows at other venues that no one wanted to see or perform at (Bil - you were at one of those), and other thankless work. Ups and downs aside, taking over as Artistic Director for the company in December has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life. I hope to some day run a local theatre in RI (ideally Warwick) and it is days like today that make that feel more and more like a reality. Check out a show sometime and say hi.

Best Of…

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