*Factoid

The songs in "Drai Hoomph" were actually by the little known band "Thunder".  The finale' song "Until My Dying Day" was also featured in the skit "Rock N' Roll 101" during the Naughty or Nice show.

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Real Detroit Weekly, Aug. 2001, by Kip Dexter

motor city improv
THE BRITS ARE FUNNY

Motor City Improv has been slowly building steam as one of Detroit's up-and-coming improv troupes, and with the opening of their new show, Drai Hoomph, they show just how unstoppable they are.  The new show, running at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Wunderground Theater in Royal Oak, is an outrageously funny romp with all the irrelevant charm of KIDS IN THE HALL and all the pop culture know-how of MTV.  The show is a revue of scenes, songs and improvisations, and frequently visits the reunion tour of Drai Hoomph, a wanna-be British rock group with a penchant for humping.  It's a little bit Behind the Music; a little bit SNL; and entirely funny.

The very talented cast (Lesley Braden, James Bonadio, Matt Gannaway, Mike Lomas, J. Chris Newberg and Billy "Z" Zakolski) are truly fearless actors as they take you from on inspired bit to another.  All of them have been seen on many of Detroit's finest stages including The Gem, Second City. Mark Ridley's and Pine Knob (er... DTE Energy).  They lampoon any and everything; Tomb Raider, Bon Jovi, urban legends, TRL, "Barrel of Monkeys," rock n' roll and even Lord of the Dance.  The crisp transitions and well-paced show can be attributed to the show's director, Lisa Maxine Melinn.  Ms. Melinn is currently a member of Second City's Touring Company and her background shows.  The show never lets up, and moves from one scene to another giving the audience a wild and hilarious ride.  Music plays a huge part in this show and every song is well-picked and smartly placed, forcing the audience to really take the show in on all levels.

Along with the through-line of Drai Hoomph, a number of very funny and original scenes stand out.  Two young hoodlums try to raise money at a lemonade stand by convincing the neighbors that their parents just died.  Four friends try to find the safest way home from Canada after an unruly 19th birthday party.  Even an audience member is picked to be a boyfriend meeting Lesley's "family" for the first time.  The show covers all sorts of themes and all of them are a welcomed treat.  The cast boasts two new comers in J. Chris Newberg and Lesley Braden. Newberg, once guitarist for the Voodoo Hippies, adds his wonderful brand of sarcasm and music and Braden is a triple threat-smart, funny and sexy-and she does a terrific job of holding her own amongst the boys. The show currently is only set to run through the end of August, and opening night was more than sold out, so you'll want to hurry.  This cast will soon be in bigger, brighter spotlights, see them while you can still brag.