Bury The Leads

Great

One full hour of laughs.

Unburying My Bias

To be honest, I don’t really like improv shows, and so I have avoided them for years at the Fringe. But this was getting great reviews and it looked to be the best show in the time slot, so I thought I’d give it a go. It turns out that improv shows still aren’t my thing, but this had a number of amusing moments. A 4 from me is probably a 4.5 or 5 from someone who really likes improv.

So good, you'd think it was scripted

Talented duo in full force, 100% committed to their characters. Expressive with so much raw honesty in their observations, you can't helpbut relate and laugh.

The Only Will The Won't They I Liked

Okay okay! Obviously, the entire show wasn't about these two friends, Claude and Fay, who would make a seriously cute couple. It was more about what it's like to be an actor. Well, I definitely felt seen (especially with the cringe-worthy self-tapes.) I'm still amazed that this was an improv show! They tied it up so nicely at the end. Five kitties, and not because of the hypnotic "sexy audience" intermission song.

Top-tier improv talent

Title says it all. Nissa and Sam really flexed on everyone here, showing us how it’s done. Their quick thinking, exceptional expressions, phenomenal physicality, and most importantly dedication to commit to a character, even if the scene takes a minute to rev up, they didn’t reach for emergency cheap laughs, but were solid enough to let the scenes breathe. Really really good.

Improv Comedy With Layers!

Sam and Nissa give you a really fun improv comedy experience! Multilayered with multiple characters, all played by just two talented actors. If you don’t know how the life of a struggling actor goes, you will by the end of this show, in the silliest funny way.

Clyde and Fay entrat

This was my first time seeing Bury the Leads and it did not disappoint. Sam and Nissa have cultivated a brillant show that's leaves me wanting more. The plot was relatable, easy to follow, and fast paced. Multimedia, sound, and props are used perfectly without slowing the story down. If you're an actor, or not, I feel that everyone will be able to relate to this show. Highly recommend!

Michael Caine is proud to have his name bandied

Excellent physical expression assisted by clever and accurate observation of human behavior. This demonstrates true potential to move beyond the representation of Central Casting and into the bigger leads with occasional bumps with speaking. Same crafty though. For those that enjoy reading - it was funny. Like to laugh? Try it here.

Quite funny!

I really enjoyed this show, and the laughs were pretty consistent. I will definitely make a point to seek out other projects these two are involved in.

Great improv

By its nature, improv is a little more hit-and-miss than a pre-written script. How much of it is hit and how much of it is miss, is exactly how you separate good improv from mediocre improv. Sam and Nissa created many great, loopy scenes that had me laughing out loud -- hit after hit, folks. So I highly recommend it! Added bonus: Sam tends to get typecast a lot, and in this show, you'll see him really stretch and create a wide variety of comic types.

Goals and icons

Nissa and Sam are spectacular actors, and while I haven't been to many improv shows, I can't imagine there are many as good as this one. Funniest show I've been to all Fringe so far, and *well* worth seeing; one of very few I'm seriously tempted to see again.

Lives Up To All The Pre-Show Buzz!

Nissa and Sam are consummate performers and improvisors. Each night has a different scenes, as well as different suggestion questions from the audience. All of the disparate scenes end up coalescing to a cohesive whole, and you probably won't see it coming. I had a great time, as did the rest of the audience.

Top tier improv

Top tier improv from actors I’ve only previously had the chance to enjoy in scripted works. Nissa and Sam did a delightful job weaving audience prompts into a sweet narrative framework.

Great character development

This show kept moving from one punch line to another while establishing the depth of each character's personality. Well played!

The time flew by!

Great insight into the ins and outs of being a character actor - explored through humor and silliness

Long form at its finest

I have taught improv for 20 years and as a new transplant to MN, I was excited to see my first long form show. Bury the Leads works so well due to the chemistry between Sam and Nissa. Their trust in each other allows them to stretch beyond the easy choices. Their call backs were great as well! What a fun and at times moving performance. See this show!

A Lot

Experts in their craft who made me laugh. A lot. That's it. That's the review.

Love this duo!

Both the actors did a great job, very entertaining. Hard to tell how much was improvised--the audience suggestions didn't seem to figure much into the final product. The pre-recorded transitions were some of my favorite bits

Hilarious show from hilarious people!

Nissa and Sam are an absolute hoot! To be able to improvise through multiple sketches and be able to call back to earlier ones, it’s a skill!!! Go check out the show if you can!!!

Fun from this duo!

Two experienced stage actors play off each other with skill, trust and talent. I love the premise of this improv show as two proclaimed character actors play scenes based on suggestions from audience developing strong character choices , rapid dialogue and pure fun! Enjoyed every second. In awe of how these two seemed to make the show seem scripted.

DON’T MISS THIS!

An incredible show with incredibly seasoned performers. I love the audience interaction at the beginning, love the Fringe experience inclusion, and just such a fun time. One show left! This needs to be on your list! Congrats to all involved!!!

Short improv scenes

They did a great job of creating characters and funny little scenes

How To Be Creative On Your Feet

About halfway through this production I realized how truly talented these two performers are. They put together a different show each time. Fast pace and fast thinking. My fellow audience members loved it. This show is a workshop in creative theater.

Very tempted to see it again!

What happens when you have great character actors who are also fantastic at improv? Brilliance!

FIVE KITTIES!!!

The show was so fun and gut-bustingly hilarious! The performers are super talented. Loved it!

Exactly what I wanted it to be

Talented humans, making big smart choices to create a fantastic and fun story! Love love loved my time in their world

Character Actor Energy

I am totally crushing on Nissa and Sam and would follow them to hell. I attended the show on Opening Night. They're the full meal deal. Solid characters, quirky yet real plot choices, great use of the room (not just the stage), and pee-your-pants moments that resulted in uproarious laughter from the packed house. It was easy to forget this was improv - but sure as shit - they naturally worked in audience suggestions and brought it to an even higher level, which didn't seem possible. Suck it, Anne Hathaway and Sinbad. While society tends to mindlessly cheer on actors who are the same frickin' character in every role, these two sexy rockstars show you how it's done - over and over again. Bravo.

Brilliant (AF) as usual!

The guy from KFC and the girl from Wendy's did a great job again! The best show, always something new..

Tuesday's Audience Improv Ideas Letdown

Sam and Nissa are amazing, and the bones of this long improv - two long-time character actor friends and support persons land a show that changes their sexual dynamics and puts a lot of chemistry in their relationship - gave them opportunities to build up that story in the context of audition tapes, auditions, Fringing, and performing hitherto unknown sex acts - "the engineer"? - for their upcoming show. There were made funny, solidly-good lines and bits. There were some that didn't quite get there. I loved them breaking down "the wall" and joining us - in character - in the audience. Nissa's girl who has a thing for Sam's "Clyde" but is affixed to her support pig cap, was so endearing. And Sam's bored audition director was so memorable. I just wish the draw of improv suggestions had been a higher quality for this evening.