ImprovBoston Theatre

Great venue! Impressively funny. Their improv skills are so good it makes you question how much is made up.

After I read some of the Unilocal reviews for ImprovBoston, I was nervous that I would be sitting through a cringe-​worthy, amateurish performance if I booked tickets for T: An MBTA Musical. I did anyways, and:
It was incredible.
I have a fairly high threshold for laugh-​out-​loud funny, but T hit all the right spots (especially for anyone who deals with the MBTA on an even occasional basis), and did so repeatedly. I laughed the entire time. The audience was thoroughly engaged, the actors had excellent comedic delivery, there were a few truly outstanding performances, and the actress who plays Alice has quite a voice on her.
I rarely get around to leaving Unilocal reviews, but I enjoyed T so much, even before the show had ended I had already decided that the world (well, Boston at least) needs to know about it. Also: decent beer selection at reasonable prices. Five stars for ImprovBoston — looking forward to coming back.

I came here last Thursday to see the Mainstage show (7:30−9pm, $ 14 per person). This was a much better experience than the previous show I had seen (The Sextacular Show); I think that for people who are not very experienced with improv and comedy shows (like me), the comedy on the mainstage is more accessible than the more niche shows that the theater runs every week, so I would recommend starting with the Mainstage show.
The show had six performers and was entirely improv. The actors did a great job of involving the audience in a variety of ways — not only did they ask the audience for topic suggestions and ideas, but they also asked two audience members to come up at one point to participate in the scene, and they interviewed one audience member at length about his job, his co-​workers, and his daily routine, and then improved a series of scenes based on his life. I also liked how they had a pianist who was improvising music to the scene as well, and I was impressed by how well the performers were able to work together. Overall, I felt that the quality of the show was quite good, with some genuinely funny laughs (although the second half of the show dragged a little bit).
Of note, the theater is non-​profit and supports local comedians. They also do a variety of different improv classes for people who are interested in learning.

I’m currently enrolled in their improv training program, and have met some amazing people along the way. I also love to bring friends and family to shows there (it’s a cheap and great way to have a fun night in central square). There’s sketch comedy, improv, and stand-​up five nights a week, so literally endless opportunities to laugh your ass off. Additionally, whenever I walk into the building, I’m always greeted by friendly staff and crew which is a refreshing change of pace. Everyone there is great, now go sign up for a class!

Fairly average improv — was here for the WIPR Improvised Public Radio. While a few lines were memorable, very few zingers. Awkward pauses not rare and in general didn’t feel like staff built momentum well. Energy was ho-​hum, audience wasn’t feeling it. Left after intermission.

We were visiting Boston with our teen and took in a show (Improv Lab?) and loved it. Very small room — maybe 25 chairs. Three teams did sort of competitive improve and we were absolutely rolling on the ground. We called the same day to get our tickets, and the staff was really nice. Also, the hosts were super funny. Man, it feels so good to laugh that hard.

Overall 4.5÷5 (rounded down cuz of some glaring con issues)
Service ⁵⁄₅
Show ⁴⁄₅
I went here on a Saturday night and attend the 9PM Battle Royale. As from as i could see there was only street parking. Though this place is small, the staff is extremely inviting and friendly. They have a station to buy your tickets and the other for drinks (alcohol)/snacks. If your a student, bring your ID youll save about 20%! Typically they allow people in 5 mins before the show and begin 5 mins after the scheduled time. If you do come here, i hope you have a open mind to everything: P
Pros:
–supports local comedians that are actually really funny
–have some more well known comedians that are weaved in the show
–they will make fun of everything. So if one comedian didnt quite hit your funny bone i promise the other will
–close to transportation
–very cheap
–interactive audience
Cons:
–The stages/​room is small so it only accommodated a few people. If your a bit claustrophobic you might not like this place.
–They also have a high powered AC running so you might be a bit cold.
–The walls are really thin. So if another show is going on, you can occasionally here them.
–Comedians are hit or miss sometimes.

I feel a little guilty writing this negative review, the same way you might feel guilty criticizing your younger cousin’s high school recital. Because that is really the calibre of the Friday MainStage 8pm show we saw last night. The improv actors were ok, but not at all great. It felt like we were attending a show of people who had just taken a 6 week improv class. There were 4 – 5 people in the audience shrieking with laughter, so much so that the person I went with was sure they were «plants», and I just suspect they were friends of people in the improv troop. The show was EXTREMELY PG — no vulgarity at all. They could easily have done this at a junior high school. I tried to laugh a little, but mostly we just sat there hoping it would get funny. It did not, and we left at intermission. People say this place is ‘hit or miss’. Who wants to spend $ 20 and spend a Friday evening to attend such a «hit or miss» place? Not me.

Go watch a show or take a class! Seriously — it’s in a great location (right on mass ave) and always has hilarious local acts performing. I took improv 101 & 201 there and actually walked away with some insight. I have no aspiration of becoming a comedian, but the classes were great growing exercises and really built up my confidence and comfort in public speaking. The teachers are all supportive and offer awesome constructive criticism, and it’s a lot of fun! Even if you think you can’t do it, just give it a try. You’d be amazed at how funny you can be when you’re surrounded by such different creative personalities.
I’ve seen a few shows on the mainstage here, and a couple of experimental shows in the backroom. They also offer stand up and sketch writing. Really such a cool place to have in the community and I don’t regret taking classes at all.

Don’t even bother — not worth time or money. This group that came to Falmouth last night must have been the beginner students from the «learn to do comedy 101» class. They had a hard time getting many of the crowd to smile, much less laugh. Very disappointing.

The show and actors were fantastic! I appreciated them, it was the front of house staff that made my show awful and uncomfortable. It was the 10pm halloween show this past week and what had happened was my friend is in Boston for the week and came in on Halloween. We have plans booked up and down in order to show him the town, starting with the halloween improv show. What happened was he was tired from traveling and he had a couple of beers prior to coming into the show (DD over here :))and he happened to fall asleep prior to the first intermission. During the intermission the usher approached him and handed him a water bottle saying «You can’t sleep during the show or you have to leave» uhm excuse me, we paid for these tickets and he had traveled all day long before coming to this show, he fell asleep for no longer than 5 minutes. Then, during the second half of the show she kept coming up to our row and glaring down it at him. She kept making me uncomfortable because I was sitting on the end and she was hovering over me glaring at my friend (who was a few seats down with our other friends). SO RUDE. I mean, I get it, you take your job seriously but you don’t have to ruin other people’s experiences in the process. She was dressed as an alien with two red antennae made from red zip ties and she had drawn a third eye on her forward with an undercut.

Pretty good improv show! Definitely recommend buying tickets ahead of the time since we tried to go get tickets at the door one time and they were sold out! (It does completely depend on the show). Had a great time! Just FYI if u don’t like being called out don’t sit on the center seat of first row. It’s like you’re signing up for volunteering. Lol

As someone who has worked at ImprovBoston for almost 4 years, I have advice for potential patrons. Read on and be informed!
IB has 20+ shows a week. Most shows are improv, but there are also sketch and standup shows. Choose one based on the kind of comedy you like best.
If you’re not sure what show to go to, look at the website for show descriptions. In the evenings, you can call the box office for advice as well.
The biggest complaints I hear are from people who did not like the type of show they saw. You wouldn’t go to a movie you knew nothing about. The same goes for comedy shows. The more info you have, the greater your chances of finding a show you will like.
Don’t give too much credence to reviews that are only talking about one show, or reviewers who have only been to one show. Improv is made up on the spot, and no two improv shows are the same. One ‘bad’ show shouldn’t discredit all the others.
Last, the shows, typically, range from $ 1-​$ 18. Not bad for a live show! And drinks are $ 3.50-$ 6.50. No prices like you’d see at other venues.
ImprovBoston is worth checking out. You can trust me, or other Unilocalers, or, even better, come see for yourself.

We went to just one show, it’s called «The Jam». I bet there must have been something wrong with the cast that evening because most of the reviews we read were fantastic, however, the show was pretty bad. It was a typical improv but they didn’t establish rules, so very often it would become a drama scene and went on and… and on. The actors were certainly having fun and we appreciated to see that, but it was more of a game and get together for them then a show with the objective to entertain the audience.

Boston is pretty much a ghost town on Sunday evenings. Thankfully Improv Boston saved my life this past Sunday. I laughed much more than I should have but I regret NOTHING! It was a full hour and something of none stops laughter and shenanigans. Every guy/​girl that got on that stage was amazing. Each one of them had a different weird story I could relate to. It’s a free show and you get to support everyone; from your local barista from the Financial District to the librarian that works in Southie. I loved it and I will most definitely come back and keep on supporting this local great talent. I recommend it to everyone and anyone!!!

What a great theater! Only $ 12 a ticket and you’re guaranteed to have a good time. You can see their student shows or guest performers as well. Definitely go — you won’t regret it!

Sadly we wanted to see the main stage show yesterday (Saturday) but I guess we got there too late and it was sold out, but instead watched the 10 pm one which was, I must say, very fun! I love improv and this place is great — small but awesome !

Went to a show called Basketball City and I’m really upset that I spent my money on this. The actors and actresses seem really funny but the sketch was just awful. 100% do not recommend. Just go to the free night cap stand up comedy show from 11:30 to 12. I haven’t been to any other shows besides this Basketball one, but I really don’t think I’m gonna come back here.

Went to the 11 PM show last night. «Terrible People», more like Terrible Show.
They cycled through a series of skits, some of which had some dumb humor in it and milked the audience for laughs. There were a few one liners that managed to sneak a chuckle.
But here’s really the meat and potatoes of one of their more elaborate skits — and you can tell they spent time on this one.
«Twins towers» — a sandwich shop. Talking about ‘aerodynamic bread’. ‘Towers coming down’. ‘Pentagon pizza, where you’ll only finish ¹⁄₅^th of it’. References to Flight 93 and kids becoming orphans. I mean, I can’t even recall half of it because I was partially in disbelief that they went there and partially disgusted that the guy in front of me was laughing hysterically. For his sake, I hope it was the nervous laughs.
There is so much more material out there, than to use a terrorist attack — close to home — where nearly 3,000 people died. What’s next? The marathon bombing?
Your attempt at offensive comedy was blunt and not well thought out. If you think I’m overreacting, I challenge you to waste your money and see the show for yourself. Prepare to be stunned and disgusted. Am I offended? Absolutely not. I’m embarrassed for the people who wrote these acts, because it’s definitely not «the best sketch writers and actors in Boston» as their site advertises. I’d rather stare at the sun.

A great theater! It’s only $ 12 for hilarious shows and Open Mic night on Wednesday is free!
I’ve been to a lot of open mics and i have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of comics.

ImprovBoston is an all-​around delightful comedy theatre. I advise checking its schedule online and/​or calling beforehand regarding specific shows if their titles/​descriptions are not self-​explanatory. Some of the shows here are highly experimental and so might not suit everyone’s taste.
IB is primarily known for sketch and improv, but also offers stand up in various formats. I highly recommend Battle Royale every Saturday at 9 PM. The show features «competitions» (performers are judged by audience applause and a winner is ultimately declared) between sketch groups or stand up comics. Battle Royale typically highlights some of the best talent Boston comedy has to offer and the program’s hosts are engaging and hilarious. Tickets are exceedingly reasonable.
Grab dinner at one of the nearby restaurants, check out an IB show, and then head to The Field (the bar virtually next door and a popular comedian haunt) for a post-​show drink. BOOM. Date night planned. Now go forth, laugh, and (hopefully!) get lucky.

It’s low-​key and casual — I went for the first time for the Mainstage event. Figured that would be a good baseline of what Improv Theatre was all about.
Arrive early, grab a beer, and lounge around in the small and cozy «waiting area.» The theater room was equally small and cozy, but perfect for something like this.
For the show itself, it took some warming up to especially as you got acclimated to what the heck was going on. It’s very quick and off-​the-​cuff but they do a good job explaining what to expect from beginning to end. For those of you who are terrified of being called on, don’t sweat. They take volunteers and won’t bring you up against your will.
The show was varied and had great moments, but I think the concept itself is what won me. I was super impressed by the ‘performers’ and their ability to think on their feet to entertain us and make us laugh. Kudos to you guys!
Definitely a fun thing to check out if you’re tired of the same old same old.

I recommend this place very much! There were 3 groups who performed and they were great. I give everyone who does Improv so many props, such a talent! It was only $ 10 to get in, which is very affordable.
It is a very small theater and it filled up so fast! Great audience!

Small rooms. Very intimate. I was here to see a friend perform.
Bring a jacket because it’s COLD. It was about 50 degrees outside and about 40 inside. I was shivering throughout the entire performance.
The plus side is you can purchase drinks here… so if the show sucks… well, you can drink to the point that everything else is funny.

LOL!
ImprovBoston is a solid choice for those nights when you want to do something but not get too crazy. Or when you just feel the need to laugh at someone else. Their location in Central is super convenient to get to, and there are so many shows and timing options. When I went for a Mainstage performance on a Friday at 8, it was a more traditional improv show with some audience involvement and numerous different exercises. There was some music involved, a larger cast, and lots of variety. I’m still amazed how they can think so quickly and be so funny doing it!
I also went to a Blackout performance on a Friday at 11, which was like nothing I’d ever experienced. The first act was a pair of performers who couldn’t speak, so we could only hear the music and see them acting things out. The second act was a group of performers who we couldn’t see (they turned off all the lights in the room and asked us to shut our eyes) so we could only hear their voices. Senseless comedy! Literally. This was so creative and really showcased how skilled the performers are.
There’s always something new and entertaining here! Oh and alcohol. $ 4 – 5 for quality stuff like Harpoon and Magner’s. This definitely makes the comedy funnier. Also make sure to bring along your student ID! Even if you look old! I’ve been out of college for 2 years now and admitted that to them, but they said that as long as you flash it really fast, everything is A-​OK. Student discounts 4 lyfe.