SONOMA INDEX-TRIBUNE -- “I draw three-dimensional drawings of plumbing,” says Williams, who lists such projects as Sutter hospital in Santa Rosa and Marin General Hospital on his resume. “It’s very interesting work – and it’s pretty much the exact opposite of improvising a musical comedy in front of a live audience.”
He’s referring to his latest theatrical endeavor, a little thing called Playwright: An Improvised Musical, which he’s directing and will appear in this weekend at Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park. Presented by Monkey Monkey and Larry, a local improv comedy troupe with which Williams often performs, the show begins with the audience choosing a famous playwright — either Sam Shepard, Neil Simon or Tennessee Williams — the style of which the troupe will emulate as they invent a full-scale musical, complete with songs and dance numbers, right on the spot.
“It’s something to see, believe you me,” laughs Williams. “We ended up going to San Francisco State, getting into other aspects of theater, and eventually starting a theater group,” recalls Williams. “I’d write the shows and star in them, Carl would direct them, and we did a bunch of stuff all over Marin and Sonoma County.”