The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Just wingin’ it
Is ‘Whose Live Anyway’ REALLY improvised? Yes, says Joel Murray, because anything else would take work
Perhaps the reason why Joel Murray has enjoyed a 30-plus year career as a character actor is because, well, he’s a real character.
That’s also what got him the gig in the national touring “Whose Live Anyway?” The improvisational outfit, which includes Murray, Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops and Jeff B. Davis, comes to Northeast Ohio for a show April 20 at Playhouse Square’s KeyBank State Theatre.
While the show is based around “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” Murray never appeared on the Emmy Awardwinning show.
“I did an eight-hour audition in Los Angeles 15 years ago,” said Murray, calling from Los Angeles. “They told me I’d be filling in, and I’ve never gotten that call, but it hasn’t bothered me too much. I’ve really enjoyed doing the live version, which the rest of those people don’t get to do, so there.”
“Whose Live Anyway?” is similar to the television show, featuring plenty of games, which Murray said required a learning curve.
The Chicago native got his start studying improvisation with legendary instructor Del Close and performing at The Second City in Chicago.
“I’m from slow improv, so playing with these guys is like all of a sudden getting thrown into the Yankees or Indians lineup,” Murray said. “Everybody is really quick. It’s two different schools of thought, but as long as we’re playing by the same rules, and trying to make the other guy look good, the show ends up looking pretty polished.
“People are still like, ‘Come on, how much of that was written?’ No, we’re lazier than that. We don’t write. We don’t memorize lines. We just show up. That’s how we got into this — just from pure lack of ambition.”
OK, but Murry is quite industrious when it comes to acting.
The 54-year-old performer, who, by the way, is the younger brother of Hollywood star Bill and writer-actor Brian, boasts an extensive IMDB page that includes appearances in more than 250 sitcom episodes.
In addition to film roles (“One Crazy Summer,” “Scrooged” and “Shakes the Clown”), his television credits include being a series regular on “Love and War,” “Dharma and Greg.” “Mike and Molly” and “Two and a Half Men.”
Murray is best remembered for recurring dramatic role as Freddy Rumsen on AMC’s “Mad Men.”
“It was such a great part,” Murray said. “It was the best show I ever worked on. The best people and definitely the best parties I’ve ever been involved with, show-wise. When you get to go with the Chateau Marmont and see January Jones and different people dressed up and messed up, it’s really a good time.”
These days, when Murray isn’t working in Hollywood, he can be found on the road with “Whose Live Anyway?” You’d better believe there’s a competition taking place on stage between these sharp-witted ninjas.
“The highlight for me is when you’re on stage and you make one of the other guys really bust up,” Murray said. “That’s fun. It’s great being on the road — we eat well, we have some drinks. We even have some drinks during the show.”
Sounds like the group is dabbling into Freddie Rumsen territory.
“Well, you know, I’ve done a lot of research as to what is the perfect buzz for improvisation,” Murray laughed. “I’ve decided it’s just a couple of Scotch on the rocks. That’s where it’s at. A lifetime of research has gone into this. I think Freddy would be right on board with that.”