May 16, 1997

Just down Church Street, past Sloppy Joe's drunks and Terror on Church Street's freaks, you'll find a humble set of glass doors leading to some of Orlando's best nighttime entertainment. Behind the doors, through the triangular lobby, is a worn theatre - home to the SAK Comedy Lab. But, SAK isn't your traditional comedy club. It's much more.

The difference between SAK and every other comedy club in Orlando is that the SAK players' comedy isn't pre-scripted. It's improvisation, and that's what distinguishes it from the rest and what makes it truly funny - funnier than most comedy you'll find on-screen or live.

TheatreSports, SAK's current show, is basically a contest between two teams of SAK players. (Ever seen "Whose Line is it Anyway" on Comedy Central? Then you've got the idea.) The "games" are interactive, as the audience is polled before each game for ideas and things the players incorporate into the scene. The more ripe the audience's ideas; the better the comedy.

SAK players incorporate concepts into a scene on the fly: their wit and intelligence is amazing. In one of the games, they act out an audience-inspired scene in different genres - from Star Trek to Shakespeare - and the comedy that ensues is side-splitting. Another game involves the players performing a scene, and then repeating their last sentence every time a fellow player rings a bell. All the games in the hour-and-a-half long show are similarly creative and action-packed; most involve audience participation in some form.

In addition to shows at the theater, SAK offers a comedy school and travels around town, performing for various groups. The SAK empire has, more or less, been entertaining audiences for the last 20 years.

The SAK Theatre is located on the corner of Church Street between Orange and Magnolia Avenues. Reservations are highly recommended, and can be made online or by phone at 648-0001.

Andy Dehnart I spend much of my time deconstructing my surroundings by writing. Other diversions: crossing the line, sucking down caffeine-laced carbonated beverages, pen fighting with the staff of the paper I edit, listening intensely to SHE 100.3, and analyzing my world with an overuse of superlatives. Also find me here. Other Articles I've Written