Statues of Liberty @ The Magnet Theatre - 12.13.8By: Phil Wells

Peter McNerney, Russ Armstrong, & Nick Kanellis play for "the Liberty"

Statues of Liberty have secured themselves a steady run of shows on Saturday nights at the Magnet, and it's easy to see why. Touted all over the net as "an amalgam of New York and Chicago styles of improv," they put on a slick longform show with organic sound-and-movement edits that actually manage to not seem forced. One scene melts into another quickly enough that the artifice isn't exposed. The players have lots of trust and respect for each other, and the edits are carried out with zero hesitation.

The scenes are equally fearless. Peter McNerney, Nick Kanellis and Russ Armstrong really know how to physicalize the comedy and make sure that when the story moves, it really MOVES. The actors transformed into everything from a colony of ants to a back-room full of obese lotharios to a fridge full of various milks and juices. Just as effective were the subtle changes made to play more human characters. A scene between a mother and her awkward son was downright moving, and they used the pathos generated by those moments to pay big comedic dividends later in the show. These Statues know how to craft a narrative.

It'd be easy to let a show like this get away from you. Being three guys performing a loosely structured, organically edited form is a tricky situation to be in. For one thing, it's tough to pull off. And for another, you can't spit on the sidewalk in Chelsea without hitting another "tiny" improv group. Still, in a crowded field, Statues of Liberty are an example for the rest to follow. They're smart, physical, and a lot of fun.

Phil Wells is an actor, writer, and member of comedy groups SidViscous! and Finger. His book, Try the Veal, is available at Amazon.