Someone Likes Us

Dear Editor,

I was just writing to say that this website is fantastic! I've browsed through it briefly before (mostly looking for stuff about myself) but never really took a close look at all it has to offer.

You guys are doing a great job of legitimizing the art of improv as a whole. Honest, educated and informative reviews articles and improv coverage are a key part of making this whole thing grow stronger. I am glad to see that improvisation is growing not only in the big cities but in all parts of the country as well. You all are helping to nurture this growth. Rock on, keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Lloyd Ahlquist
CEO Mission IMPROVable Inc.

Baiting the Mousetrap

Dear Editor,

In reply to the inlet of Michael Staffa's complaint of not getting the actors names...there should be a new dwarf in the Disney line-up in regards to how Mr. Staffa went about trying to get press information on Pleasure
Island:

Stupid.

The questions that should have been asked right off the top to "Dopey" was "My name is Michael with Improv Review.com. I would like to speak with one
of the actors".

That way you go right to the source, (and even get some real quotes for his review ...instead of some "lady" sitting next to him) instead of asking some poor person working for minimum wage for information, then getting indignant because the information is not correct.

Also..did he have a press release for Pleasure Island? Did Disney or even The Comedy Warehouse have any idea that Mr. Staffa was attending the performance to give a review (Protocol that is common for any reviewer to give to a group)?

Do you think maybe Grumpy and Doctor had no idea who the hell Improv Review "was" and that is probably the reason why Mr. Staffa has not gotten the email? Because ImprovReview did not tell them in the first place that they were coming?

So the only assumptions I can get from Mr. Staffa not asking the simple pointed questions "May I speak with one of the actors" is this:

He did not have the journalist gumption to make a move to go behind stage.(If he had incomplete press info)

He knew that the actors would wonder what in the world is going on because Disney did not inform them of a reviewer coming out. And thus Michael would have been introduced to a new character call "Bad Ass" The Disney Security Guard.

This is the impression I got from reading this.

At least Disney World has a quasi lame excuse not being able to get themselves together...a monstrous conglomeration with numerous offices and people that does not know what mouse finger is washing the other.

What is ImprovReview's excuse?

Shaun Landry

Michael Staffa responds:

Disney knew as soon as they could know who I was, who I was represented and when I was coming. They do not publish any contact information. Nowhere is there an email to contact anyone even remotely in charge of the Comedy Warehouse. There was no 1-800 number to use. (I did search for this info prior. If it is published, it is hard to find). I had called when I arrived in Florida days before the show and they did know what night I was coming. I acted in a professional manner the entire time I was talking to someone. I arrived an hour and a half before the show and asked to speak to the show director or an actor. All of this was done both prior and after the show. Both times I was forgotten or stood up.

I did ask to speak to an actor but I was herded out with the crowd to make room for the next audience. I know what I was doing and I know how I was treated.

Until Ms. Landry knows how I was treated, after properly introducing myself and following the "journalist gumption" to a T, she cannot understand my frustration with the Disney Corporation.

Mike

Editor's Note: Improv Review's critics never arrive at shows unannounced. Not only is advance notice given, but we honor any reasonable request by a troupe not to be reviewed. See our faq for more information.