Messing With A Friend

As one of the Annoyance’s capstone shows, veteran improviser Susan Messing’s long-running show Messing With A Friend is appropriately foulmouthed and affecting: Two traits all enduring performances at the theater exhibit. As the title suggests, founding member Messing takes to the stage with an unnamed guest co-star (performers from other theaters are often drafted, though “big-name” TV and film actors have also joined her) as the pair embarks on a fearless long-form show inspired by a single audience suggestion. While an audience is always assured more expletives than any reasonable person can endure, oftentimes the shows will hint at a deeper vulnerability or emotional undertow.

Updated 11/30/2009