One Word Leads to Lots of Laughs

Don’t expect to find out who Stacy is and where she’s gone. The title of the Bang Theater Improv Studio’s late show, “Stacy’s Not Here,” is only a convenient label for one hour of fluid comedy.

Beginning with a word selected by the audience (“sex” was chosen on the night I attended), the improv team of Carlos Jacott, Theresa Mulligan, Peter Murrieta, David Razowsky, Dee Ryan and Pete Zahradnick segued into beer, an Irish wake, a calf-birthing, an oversensitive gay couple visiting relatives, a middle-aged woman deciding to wear her high school cheerleader uniform--and more.

This ensemble works well together and genuinely seems to enjoy it, which is infectious. Themes and characters resurface throughout. The humor is gentle and apolitical--focusing on ordinary incidents, making this a pleasant late-night diversion.

* “Stacy’s Not Here,” Bang Theater, 457 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. 10:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Dark today. Ends Aug. 2. $5. (213) 653-6886. Running time: 1 hour.