GreenRoom's Season of Laughs in High Gear

When GreenRoom Productions' seven-member theatre ensemble comes together for its signature improv shows this fall, audiences can only expect one thing: the unexpected.

For those who've never seen the group perform, they can expect a "lot of energy," said Dave Hunter, executive director and co-founder of the group. "We're high energy. We keep the audience involved. The show is going to keep you laughing the whole way through."

The group took root in 1999 after the theatre program at Judson University was cancelled.

And even regulars to the shows, which run the first Saturday of the month until the end of the year, "never see the same show twice," Hunter said. "The show is based on what the audience gives us, and no two audiences are the same."

The group uses heavy audience involvement for the material of shows that mirror the style of the hit show, "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

Live music welcomes attendees before the performance. The band sticks around throughout the show, sprinkling music in for spooky scenes and wherever else a jingle may be appropriate.

The 90-minute performance, described on its website as 100 percent clean and 99.27 percent hilarious, is a family-friendly event and often attracts viewers of all ages.

A handful of audience members usually leave their seats and join actors on stage in the intimate setting of the 275-seat Cosman Cultural Center located at the Huntley Park District.

Some of the largest laughs come from the last game, where members interview a guest and then perform that person's life for the audience.

The last improv shows of the season will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 and Dec. 4.

Tickets, which cost $12 for adults and $8 for seniors and students, can only be purchased at the door.

GreenRoom Productions also has several performances throughout the year, including Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," which runs through Oct. 24.

Advance tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.

For tickets or more information, go to www.greenroomtheatre.com.