Centerstage - Chicago's Original City Guide

In 1955 while the Cold War was chilling the world's superpowers and James Dean made his last turn around Dead Man's Curve, a bright light began glimmering in Chicago with the founding of the Compass Players. The Players were a groundbreaking improv group that served as an early starting point for the development of improvisation as a performance art form.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Compass Players, the Penguin Theater Company presents "The Monday Show," which goes back to the roots of how the original improv shows were performed. "Classical drama was its starting point," says Chris Biddle, the show's director. "Improv didn't surrender to comedy until the 1980s."

Case in point: This show does not go for knee-jerk laughs and one liners. Wearing simple white shirts with black pants and ties, the cast starts out with personal monologues based on the night's theme, which in this case was "beginnings." After each monologue, cast members choose an audience member to share their own personal story about the night's theme. Through these question and answer sessions, ideas, themes and phrases are culled, which are all written down by a cast member at an easel at stage left.

When the monologues are finished and the easel is revealed, the "beginnings" theme takes shape as cast members base their scenes off of what was discussed. One of the highlights of this section of the show is the acoustic guitar accompaniment by cast member Ben Kramer. The music helps move things along, and is pleasant during more silent moments.

Across seven scenes, which can run the gamut of emotions and environments (such as a college party, nuns scolding a student, prisoners in a weightlifting yard), the cast never lets up on the night's theme. Although they do not go for quick laughs, quite a few accumulate as ideas return and emotions are displayed.

To close the show, Ben Kramer returns and sings a rather touching song while sitting on a stool on this spare stage under a soft spotlight. It's a heartfelt way to end this emotive show and crackles with life.

"The Monday Show" will explore a new theme each Monday night through Halloween. Returnees to the show receive half off their admission, and those who attend more than five shows are allowed to go for free for the duration of the show's run.

Playground Theater; 3209 N. Halsted; (773) 334-8889; $10. Through Oct. 31; 8 p.m. Monday