Banned In Boston [04/07/17]

In the cynical justice system, comedically-based and socially unacceptable offenses are considered especially hilarious. The dedicated and talented performers who instigate these absurdities are members of an elite squad, made up of
Boston’s business leaders, elected officials and esteemed media and arts personalities. Known as the Urban Improv Unit, they will share their spontaneous, off-the-cuff stories at the House of Blues on April 7, 2017 for Urban Improv’s annual Banned in Boston. An evening of offense is promised and there is no statute of limitations on the misdeeds and comedic infractions that take place as part of this madcap musical revue.

Hosted by Jim Braude and Margery Eagan of WGBH at the House of Blues, this year’s cast includes renowned political leaders including Boston Mayor Mary Walsh, Massachusetts State Senators Sonia Chang-Diaz and Linda Dorcena Forry, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, Massachusetts Secretary of Education Jim Peyser, U.S. Representative Jim McGovern, Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson, and John Barros, Chief of Economic Development for the City of Boston. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will join the cast with a video message.

Members of the Fourth Estate have been summoned for sharing #AlternativeFacts, including Jared Bowen and Emily Rooney of WGBH, Meghna Chakrabarti and Ray Magliozzi of WBUR; Shirley Leung of the Boston Globe, JC Monahan of WCVB-TV, Lisa Pierpont of Boston Common Magazine and Matt Siegel of Kiss 108. Musicians Sally Taylor, Tom Hamilton and Jimmy Tingle have vowed to plead the Fifth about their involvement in the event.

Boston’s arts community will also take the stand at the annual laugh riot, including Peggy Fogelman of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Jill Medvedow of the ICA, Anita Walker of Massachusetts Cultural Council and Matthew Teitelbaum of the Museum of Fine Arts.

Other leading luminaries expected to commit socially unacceptable offenses include Rosabeth Moss Kanter of Harvard Business School, Emily McCann of Citizens School, Valerie Roberson of Roxbury Community College, James Benenson II of Industrial Manufacturing Company, Jonathan Bush of Athena Health, Andrew Collins of Sentient Jet, Jack Connors, Jr. of Camp Harbor View, Ron Druker of The Druker Company, Ltd., Richard Friedman of Carpener and Co., Carol Fulp of The Partnership, Inc., Richard Holbrook of Eastern Bank, Sam Kennedy of The Boston Red Sox, Mahmood Malihi of Leggat McCall, Patrick Lyons of The Lyons Group and Kristina Lyons of Portobello Road.

Dignity and pride will be cast aside for one night to support Urban Improv’s interactive theater-based programs that help students practice self-expression and creative decision-making in life’s most challenging moments. Whether they are navigating peer pressure, cyber-bullying, racism, homophobia, or violence, Urban Improv students develop self-awareness, empathy, impulse control, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

Urban Improv currently partners with seven Boston schools to deliver its multi-year curriculum to over 1,100 students annually free of charge. The organization provides a peer leadership program for high school students, student mentoring opportunities and presents assemblies on community topics throughout Boston, New England and beyond. Now in its 25th year, Urban Improv has presented to over 70,000 students at more than 125 schools and community groups helping young people to succeed in school and life.

Boston’s leading restaurants and chefs have once again stepped up to help, including Food is a critical part of every event and experience has shown that hungry cast members are never a good idea. Many of Boston’s leading restauranteurs are stepping up to help, including Area Four, Ashmont Grill/Tavolo, The Automatic, Blue Frog Bakery, Bully Boy Distillers, Cinquecento, East Coast Grill, Eastern Standard, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Juniper, La Morra/Heritage, Mei, Michael’s Deli, Middlesex Lounge, New England Charcuterie/Moody’s, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, Sicilicity, and Vice Cream.

Banned in Boston 2017 takes place on Friday, April 7, 2017 at the House of Blues in Boston. Tickets are $250 and are available at www.bannedinboston.org.

About Urban Improv
Urban Improv is an interactive program for young people that uses improvisational theater workshops to teach violence prevention, conflict resolution, and decision-making. The program's innovative curriculum helps students deal creatively with major issues in their lives. It is truly a rehearsal for life. For more information on Urban Improv, visit www.urbanimprov.org

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