SOMETHING COMEDY!
‘Something Dada,’ keeps Cleveland audiences laughing

Story by Anna Riggenbach

“What charity are you playing for?” Trebek asks his guests.

San Diego is quick to yell, “Me!” in his Cuban accent.

Italian Scucci says, “I’ma playing for him,” pointing to San Diego.

In a husky voice Gerry says, “Next month’s rent,” proudly displaying the box he found backstage.

The first category is J-words. The audience gives the answer: “Jalapeño!”

Scucci is the first to buzz in. “What word doesn’t sound like a J-word?”

“One point to Scucci,” Trebek says.

“Something Dada” is an improvisational group that has been performing since October 1994. Audience suggestions are at the heart of each show. This allows every performance to be different.

The cast of “Something Dada” gets together once a week to work on their improvisational skills. They practice thinking on their feet with games designed to improve their comedy.

Russ Stich is an original cast member who has been performing with “Something Dada” almost non-stop since 1994. A Cleveland native, Russ’ humorous career started in 1990 when he started performing stand-up comedy.

“I’ve been a naturally loud, obnoxious person,” Russ says. “Making people laugh is a great feeling.”

Russ says “Something Dada” is a rare group, performance-wise, because they are constantly breaking the fourth wall. The audience has to be involved for the shows to work.

The first skit of the night started with Mike Hagesfeld, a four-year veteran, leaving the room. His task is to guess what unusual characteristics each of the party guests possess. The audience is asked to give suggestions. J.R. Sekerak will be a smart George Bush; Aaron Patterson will be a sex addict; Adam Ziemkiewicz will be a one-legged Pocahontas; Drew Hansel will be afraid of his own watch; and Russ will be a vacuum cleaner/piano.

Mike is called back into the room and the insanity begins. George Bush is rattling off math equations while Aaron cannot seem to keep his pants on. Pocahontas is hopping around talking about the “colors of the wind,” Drew cannot look at his own watch, and Russ is sweeping and playing tunes at the same time. Mike successfully guesses everyone’s traits with the audience’s help and the skit is finished.

Mike auditioned for “Something Dada” four years ago and has always been interested in improvisation. He says theater is like an instant vacation.

“Comedy is always funnier with other people than without,” he says. “Every show depends on the audience to bring high energy. People don’t like to be called on, but as long as we bring the energy, they will bring it back.”

Drew is one of the newer members to “Something Dada.” A Kent State alumnus, he got his start backstage and worked his way in front of the curtain. A Wells Fargo clerk by day and improv comedy performer by night, Drew knows what gets the laughs.

“The best comedy comes from being true to the scene,” he says. “Relax and go where it takes you.”

Tori Woods, one of only two females in “Something Dada” and newest cast member, is an editorial assistant at Cleveland Magazine. She has been a fan of the show for seven years and has been performing in theater productions since she was six.

“Laughter is one of the biggest gifts you can give,” she says. “This is a good way to blow off steam and be yourself.”

“Something Dada” is not the only comedy show in Cleveland. The cast gives props to other groups for keeping comedy alive in Cleveland. “Last Call Cleveland,” which features “Something Dada” cast member Matt Zitelli, has been performing locally since 2001.

“Second City,” which opened in Chicago in 1959 and tours to different cities, offers a training center which teaches improvisation, acting and writing. Some famous graduates of “Second City” include Tina Fey, Mike Myers and Halle Berry.

Audience member Amanda Campbell says Jeopardy was her favorite skit of the night. She enjoyed the cast’s talent and the fact that the night was totally improv.

“‘Something Dada’ is something to see because of the originality, comedy and talent wrapped up into one show,” she says.

The night ended with the group’s high-energy “Dada Blues.” The cast sings a blues melody about HulaHoops, an audience suggestion. The cast showed nothing but expertise as they sang the blues with this hard-to-rhyme word.