Side splitters

Improvisation stars as the Laughtrack Theater Company spotlights local troupes through the end of the month

The Laughtrack Theater downtown showcases three improv troupes this weekend and throughout January.

The company’s most successful graduate group, Something Classy, returns, along with a relaunch of Dicks and Jane and the self-dubbed “super troupe” Muslin Hamster.

The Dicks and Jane notably include the offspring of Gov. John Waihee, John the IV (an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee) and Jen, with Monica and Squire Coldwell, and newcomers Jay Polk and John Schemitch. All are graduates of co-owner Shannon Winpenny’s Fundamentals of Improv class, and the six of them have been rehearsing and working together under the additional guidance of Chicago’s Second City’s Jeff Griggs and Jonathan Pitts.

Winpenny herself is part of the core trio Muslin Hamster, which includes fellow instructors Scott Hanada and Larissa Nielsen.

Each troupe will perform two completely improvised comedy shows, essentially one-act plays with a premise determined by a suggestion from the audience.

The formation of plot, dialogue and scenes relies solely on the improvisers’ ability to create quick and witty banter, and to establish a rapport with their characters to which the audience can relate and connect.

Tonight’s lineup is US, Dicks and Jane, and Muslin Hamster, while tomorrow, it’s Something Classy, pictured above, Muslin Hamster and Aftermath.

Where: Laughtrack Theater Company, 1123 Bethel St.

When: 8 and 10 p.m. today and tomorrow

Cost: $10

Info: 384-3362 or www.laughtracktheater.com

—Gary Chun / gchun@staradvertiser.com