ROBIN'S SHOW REVIEW: Naked in a Fishbowl

Daphne Rubin-Vega joined the fully improvised live sitcom, Naked in a Fishbowl, at The Cherry Lane Theater in NYC, for the opening night of a 5-week run that started Monday, July 18th.  It was fun to have the opportunity to see her up close 'n personal. I've been a huge fan since she originated the role of Mimi on Broadway in Rent, earning her a Theater World Award and Tony and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress in a Musical. She was nominated again for her role as Conchita in the Pulitzer Prize winning “Anna In The Tropics.”

While she didn't sing (not that I expected she would), she demonstrated impressive comedic chops and the ability to act on her feet, reminding me of the versatile talent she is. Cast ensemble regulars rallied around to create an evening that  makes for a light-hearted, "fearless" and affordable girls night out.  You never know what's gonna come out of someone's mouth.  Improv has always intrigued me in that way.  It takes real skill.

Naked in a Fishbowl chronicles the lives of six "fearless" friends in New York City who laugh together, cry together and tell it like it is...completely unscripted.  It premiered in the NY International Fringe Festival in 2007, and the cast was presented with the Outstanding Ensemble Award and hailed as the “brightest lights of the festival.” Since re-launching in 2010, this female comedy troupe has created over 30 original episodes in front of a live theatre audience. The resulting web series has garnered over 250,000 hits online and has been viewed in over 80 countries.

Situated in a landmark building in Greenwich Village, The Cherry Lane Theatre serves as a lab for the development of new American works and a home for groundbreaking productions of both new and classic theater. As New York's longest continuously running Off-Broadway theatre, Cherry Lane has helped to define American drama, fostering fresh, daring, and relevant theater for 85 years.

Naked in a Fishbown, which is not a production of The Cherry Lane Theatre, is produced by Donna De Stefano and Lauren Seikaly, and stars Kahtarine Heller, Breanna Palughi, Lauren Seikaly, Molly Knefel, Daliya Karnofsky and Rachel Axelrod.  Associate Producer is Matharine Heller, and Creative Producer is Breanna Palughi. 

The Cherry Lane Theater is located at 38 Commerce Street near 7th Avenue South. Naked in a Fishbowl is performed Monday Nights @ 7pm, July 18 – August 15th.  Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at Telecharge.com.  Running time: 1 hour, no intermission.  A new guest star is featured each week.

To see clips, episodes, or for more information, visit: http://www.nakedinafishbowl.com/.  Follow them on Twitter @nakedinfishbowl