Extreme Theatresports, the latest version of improv theatrical entertainment which has played to appreciative audiences in cities across the USA and around the world, is finding a new home in Los Angeles. When the company's The Hell Show closed June 3 in Hollywood, they moved to the Bitter Truth Theatre for an Aug. 18 return. Performances run through Oct. 6.

Teams of improvisational actors compete, with the tournament finalists going to London in Fall 2000 to vie for an international championship. There are rules and referees, scenes and games in a fast and lean format.

The quality of performance is generally several notches higher than in a typical comedy club. Many of the comic actors taking part in the competition have been seen on such national TV shows as "Friends," "Frasier," "Seinfeld" and "Suddenly Susan," among others. Almost all of them have extensive theatre training.

Among the 33 performers, from whom the audience selects the teams, are Allison Sweeney ("Days of Our Lives"), Brad Sherwood ("Who's Line Is It Anyway?"), Ellen Idelson, Tracy Connor, Jesus Romero, Joseph Limbaugh and Dan O'Connor. Special guest performaners will announced as they become available.

The show is produced by Los Angeles Theatresports and directed by O'Connor. The Bitter Truth Theatre is located at 11050 Magnolia Blvd. For tickets and information call (323) 469-9689. Theatresports is on the web at http://www.theatresports.com. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
and Christine Ehren