Ka-Baam!!
| Ka-Baam!! | |
|---|---|
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| Theater | The Hideout Theatre |
| Directed by | Asaf Ronen |
| Cast | |
| Initial Run | May/Jun 2008 |
| Subsequent Run(s) | Sep/Oct 2009 |
Ka-Baam!! (often written in all-caps: KA-BAAM!!) was a mainstage show at The Hideout Theatre.
It was based on the Golden Age of superhero comics.
Summary
Show Structure
The show would begin with origin stories for three different heroes, which were based on audience suggestions. Meanwhile, a comics artist (often Kristin Hogan) would draw the cover art for an adventure for those heroes. They would improvise a half-hour narrative superhero story based on that cover art, and one lucky audience member would receive the cover art as a prize.
Throughout the show, director Asaf Ronen served as the narrator, occasionally providing interstitials which introduced advertisements or responded to viewer mail.
Press Blurb
The press blurb for the show from the show's web site:
"Ka-Baam!! is every four-color fantasy writ large and on-the-spot by a cast of Austin's most heroic improv comedians. Every week audience suggestions will inspire the origins and adventures of three never-before-seen heroes in a comic book story that will never be seen again. The Golden Age will be reborn with the deadliest of villains, most ridiculous brawls and special guest comic book artists every week to capture the action in pencil and ink."
History
Steve Wacker (an improvisor who is now an editor with Marvel Comics) came up with the idea for Ka-Baam!! in New York City in 1998. Ronen performed in the show's four-year run there. Once he arrived in Austin, he mounted the show at The Hideout Theatre. Its first run, which was from 5/3/2008 to 7/5/2008, was sponsored by Austin Books and Comics (who provided free comics). Its second run was from 9/11/09 to 10/24/09, and included both Friday and Saturday shows.
2008 Cast
- Audrey Rachel Sansom
- Erik Adams
- Jason Vines
- Jon Clinkenbeard
- Justin Davis
- Kacey Samiee
- Kaci Beeler
- Kareem Badr
- Michael Thomas
- Roy Janik
2009 Cast
- Aden Kirschner
- Audrey Rachel Sansom
- Eric Heiberg
- Erik Adams
- Jason Vines
- Justin Davis
- Kacey Samiee
- Marc Majcher
- Michael Thomas
- Patrick Daniel
- Sarah Marie Curry
- Troy Miller
Heroes & Villains
2008 Run
- 5/3/08
- Jason Vines as Man Bear Pig
- Kacey Samiee as Mistress Madness
- Michael Thomas as Mariachi Man
- 5/10/08
- Kaci Beeler as Dr. Steam
- Erik Adams as Big Wet Hero
- Jason Vines as Captain Accomodator
- 5/17/08
- Michael Thomas as Inflatable Man
- Audrey Sansom as Jane the Unremarkable
- Roy Janik as The Exciting Elemental
- 5/24/08
- Michael Thomas as Anteater Man
- Erik Adams as Captain Giggles
- Audrey Sansom as Sargent Shortbread
2009 Run
- 9/11/09
- Troy Miller as Mr. No Depth Perception Guy
- Michael Thomas as Cricket the Clairvoyant Kitty Cat
- Erik Adams as Austin Music Scene Kid
- Jon Clinkenbeard as Black Fungus Guy [villain]
- 9/12/09
- Eric Heiberg as Mr. Buckets
- Aden Kirschner as the The Pigtail Player
- Sarah Marie Curry as Blanket Woman.
- Jason Vines as The Chatty Mime [villain]
- 9/18/09
- Eric Heiberg as Recyclotron
- Sarah Marie Tufts as Jazz Hands!
- Erik Adams as Catch Man
- Jason Vines as Spaceclaw [villain]
- 9/19/09
- Audrey Sansom as Brick Woman
- Marc Majcher as Diabetes Boy
- Justin Davis as Spam-Man
- Troy Miller as The Contortionist Alien [villain]
- 9/25/09
- Eric Heiberg as Improv Dwarf
- Michael Thomas as Epicurean King
- Aden Kirschner as Swirling Vortex of Emotional Need a.k.a. SVEN.
- 10/2/09
- Audrey Sansom as Super Zoo Keeper
- Marc Majcher as Dr. Hijinx
- Jason Vines as Captain Jelly Belly
Guest Artists
2008 Run
- 5/3/08: Thomas Reidy
- 5/10/08: Rob Osborne
- 5/17/08: Thomas Reidy
- 5/24/08: Kristin Hogan
2009 Run
- 9/11/09: Kristin Hogan
- 9/12/09: Kristin Hogan
- 9/18/09: Angelica Brenner
- 9/19/09: Jim Kersey
- 9/25/09: Andrew Augustine
- 9/26/09: unknown
- 10/2/09: Robert Faires
- 10/2/09: unknown
Media
More Information
- Announcement of the opening of the first run on The AIC Forums.
- A story about the show in The Austin Chronicle by Wayne Allen Brenner
- The top ten arts events of 2008 (which included Ka-Baam!!), by Wayne Allen Brenner for The Austin Chronicle
- An announcement of the 5/31/08 show on The AIC Forums.
- Announcement of the opening of the second run on The AIC Forums.
