Rhode Islanders might remember "I Eat Pandas" from their remarkable performance at the second annual Providence Improv Fest. There they set a countdown clock for 20 minutes after getting audience suggestions, and then completed a 20-minute musical on the spot, followed by a 10-minute musical and then a 5-minute, all based on the same suggestion. After witnessing this on-stage magic, Everett Dance Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Jungels decided that I Eat Pandas must be brought back to Providence to perform at the Carriage House Stage.

The improv group is small but mighty - just two actors and one musician. Glennis McMurray (UCBT's Cagney, Pearl Brunswick) and Eliza Skinner (UCBT's Creep, Chicago City Limits) create colorful worlds and characters with musical direction from Travis Ploeger (Chicago City Limits, Mouth). The group started out in October, 2004 for the annual Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre 3 X 3 competition, where they placed second overall. Soon after, they decided to enter Cage Match, again at the UCB Theatre, where they added a few more members (Jeff Hiller, Tara Copeland, Eugene Cordero), calling themselves "I Eat Pandas & Friends,” and this team won the competition 4 weeks in a row.

In June, 2005 the group was nominated for Best Musical Group in the Emerging Comics of New York awards. I Eat Pandas performs all over New York and travels with their shows, also teaching classes and workshops to people of all ages.

In just 30-minutes, the ensemble does what it takes Andrew Lloyd Webber years to do: produce a musical from start to finish. The result is creative, energetic, wild fun! Their musicals include dramatic glances, musical interludes, fully improvised songs, and dance numbers, all wrapped up with a pretty bow before the buzzer goes off. It's magical... just like fairies!

I Eat Pandas will perform one night only: Friday, November 18. The group will also hold a master improvisation class on Thursday, November 17 at the Carriage House, from 7 to 10pm. This class is open to skilled improvisers only, and will cost $30. Call 401-831-9479 for registration, reservations, and information. For more information: www.ieatpandas.com [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]