Comedic musicals, especially those proclaiming themselves as such in their titles, have become something of a trend over the past several years, including local hits like the successfully remounted-and-still-going Giant Killer Shark: The Musical and Top Gun (:TM) as well as the travelling show Dogs (:TM), which visited for Fringe 2006.

But Bad Dog Theatre, whose origins as Theatresports Toronto birthed comedy troupes like The Kids in the Hall, boasts a different style entirely with their limited-run Show Stopping Number: The Improvised Musical, which ran through April and for which the company has added two Friday night shows: one this week, May 4, and another on May 10.

Given the nodby Eye as "the city's only space dedicated to improv" -- and by Blogerati Files subject My Sensitive Girl Hole: "Music, Comedy, Theatre. That shit makes you think..." -- Bad Dog runs musical improv workshops as part of its advanced series of classes. Ready for a "Meta Musical" created from just one audience suggestion? Well, maybe I'm not either, today -- but by Friday, I'll be ready to laugh and maybe even help strike up a chorus for the big finish, though I wonder if that's encouraged. If not, what would you call someone who can't sit, quiet down or obey at a Bad Dog show?

I'll fetch that answer Friday night -- if I can keep my jaw shut from all the guffaws, including those from the PWYC student showcase, a.k.a. That Friday Show, which precedes the late show musical.

Show Stopping Number: The Improvised Musical
at Bad Dog Theatre,
138 Danforth Ave (at Broadview)
Every Friday in April at 10pm
$10 | Reserve tickets by calling 416 491 3115
or follow this link to direct ticket link for May 4 and 10

Image from The Beagle Express