Music Box

In Music Box the basic recipe for improv comedy is followed: the audience suggest three critical factors, in this case the setting, a familiar commercial jingle that will somehow be included, and one word to become the title for the show.

Though this exercise engages the audience and builds rapport, the scripted context soon shows its feeble side: the one word title never features again making the exercise redundant; the commercial song is tacked on the end of the show to the same tune that has been played throughout the hour (albeit in various chords) and the setting isn’t leveraged at all for enterprising or inventive improv. Further, with the exception of one strong voice, the rest of the troupe sing loud and flat, a combination which falls hard on the ears.

The cast do have some earnest talent and their humility draws you in: they really do want to make you laugh and have a good time. But though they follow the improvised musical comedy recipe precisely, and the show is less pretentious than many of its peers, Music Box falls short.