{"id":370331,"date":"2025-07-14T17:44:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T21:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=370331"},"modified":"2025-07-14T17:44:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T21:44:14","slug":"2025-district-fringe-review-out-of-my-wheelhouse-by-oomw-productions-nora-dell-4-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2025\/07\/14\/2025-district-fringe-review-out-of-my-wheelhouse-by-oomw-productions-nora-dell-4-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 District Fringe Review: ‘Out of My Wheelhouse’ by OOMW Productions\/Nora Dell (4 stars)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"I<\/span>mprovisers should never predetermine their show too much: plotting can confine comedians\u2019 freewheeling creativity. Still, improv shows thrive on structure. The best ones use some kind of device (like a theme, game, or storyline) to frame a night of comedy for both the audience and performers.<\/p>\n

Out of My Wheelhouse<\/em>, a 45-minute improv show now playing at DC\u2019s District Fringe Festival, thrives on its framing device: a surprise theme for each night. The show is written, directed, hosted, and even co-presented (alongside OOMW Productions) by Nora Dell<\/a> \u2014 and Dell has crafted a dramaturgically extravagant show that still allows plenty of room for play.<\/p>\n

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Courtesy of ‘Out of My Wheelhouse’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the night I attended, the theme was nautical \u2014 replete with bubbles, ocean streamers, and Dell in a sailor hat. Holding a microphone, Dell provides a humorous (but surreally poetic) monologue before revealing a game show wheel, which she uses to cycle through improv games for an eight-person ensemble.<\/p>\n

The games are classic improv fare (from a Mad Libs<\/em>-like game to \u201cfreeze\u201d<\/a> scenarios), and sometimes performers lean on very conventional comedy tropes. But when the nautical theme was woven into the improv scenes, performers could embrace their silliness and slowly encourage audiences to do the same. Improvisers Eva Lewis and Gaby Corcoran were highlights, developing a warm rapport onstage. I was also impressed with improviser Peter Bird, who added some low-key, funny details to his scenes that added verisimilitude to the proceedings.<\/p>\n

As host for the night, Dell had a great sense of when to let scenes keep expanding and when to move on. On my night, the climax of the show seemed more frenetic than madcap. But the finale ended on a strong note as Dell guided the entire cast to act out increasingly dramatic situations. Out of My Wheelhouse <\/em>also embraces an element of camp: the game show wheel just does not <\/em>spin properly, leading Dell to joke, \u201cI think this thing is rigged!\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s part of me that wishes the wheel did spin, that the randomness and chance played a larger role in this improv show. But most of me appreciates being led on a wild journey by Dell. When the captain of a ship is this funny, you\u2019re happy with her leading you on an adventure.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Out of My Wheelhouse<\/strong><\/em>
\nTheatrical improv in drag by OOMW Productions\/Nora Dell<\/strong><\/p>\n

Running Time: 60 minutes<\/strong>
\nDates and Times:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n