We’ve all heard of Romeo and Hamlet. Ophelia and Beatrice, of course. But what about the miserable Duke Antonio of Milan? Or the frustrated lovers Benedict and Olivia? The eczematous barfly Margaret? Not so much, and yet all were main players at the Kennedy Center’s Theater Lab as the Improvise d Shakespeare Company set up a December residency of extemporized merriment and rowdy tomfoolery.   In a performance entirely unscripted and newly created every night, five fearless players take a random title from the audience (whoever shouts the loudest often wins) and launch headfirst into both the opening and closing night of its Shakespearean world premiere. With plots that run the gamut from love lost to blood split — including more than a few cheeky tie-ins to current events and some snarky asides — a 90-minute one-act comedy is born; no prep, no rehearsal, not even a 30-second huddle. Instead, the off-the-cuff story that results is built one “yes, and” ad-lib at a time until an entire world of mistakes, revenge, longing, and, in this performance, lusting appears. While this method also means that what results is closer to Pericles than to that of Midsummer when it comes to plot continuity (and intentionally so), that only adds to the impressive layers of glee for all in attendance.  The Improvised Shakespeare Company With seemingly encyclopedic memories for random facts, mischievous propensities for farcical indecency, and a deep rolodex of Shakespearean knowledge, the level of skill, study, and iambic preparation brought by the company to every performance is staggering. It’s one thing to be a brilliant improv actor; it’s quite another to do said brilliant improv-ing within the verse-like stylings and thematic tendencies of the Bard. And yet, scene by scene and trope by trope, Joey Bland, Ross Bryant, Brendan Dowling, Randall Harr, and Blaine Swen tick off the Shakespearean checklist with jaw-dropping agility and flair. Lyrical prologue? Easy. Star-crossed lovers? Check. A (clumsy) trap to expose a villain? Of course. The more the plot tangled, the greater the delight — especially in watching each of the five raise the bar on one another, egging each other on from the wings, and lay plot-point trip hazards for someone else to make sense of (just ask anyone in attendance on December 2 about the six, yes six, stages of Milanese romance: JCPDLP). Without a set, director, sound design, or intricate lighting, no props but three chairs and no costumes other than generic black and white with mismatched tights, the company creates a space where raucous, unbridled laughter is powerful enough to shake the tension out of your body, mind, and heart. For 90 minutes, all the world truly was a ridiculous stage and the players, lovers or fools. Here in DC, front and center of the world’s stage, a “new” comedy called Fickle Is Thy Pickle was just the ticket to bring with it the kind of deep cathartic, collective unburdening that lifts spirits. As Shakespeare knew all too well: art is political, joy is resistance, and laughter is medicine — all of which were celebrated and are exactly what DC needs right now. Back again this holiday season, the Improvised Shakespeare Company brings a constantly shifting puzzle for the players and a nonstop ride of laughter for the audience. With the promise of comedy in the face of our collective tragedy in each performance, take the elevator up from the FIFA World Cup Draw–branded Hall of States, grab a seat in the Theater Lab, and prepare to cackle together until your sides ache and your heart is full. In this space, with this troupe, we can laugh at the world together, shake off the curse of our pickles, and put ourselves in better spirits for the drama ahead. Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes, no intermission. The Improvised Shakespeare Company® plays through December 23, 2025, in the Theater Lab at Kennedy Center – 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC. To purchase tickets ($35–$49), go online, call the box office at (800) 444-1324, or visit TodayTix.The program is online here. Buy Tickets Discount Tickets . The post Merry tomfoolery from the Improvised Shakespeare Company at Kennedy Center appeared first on DC Theater Arts. ...read more read less