Tom Fahey

To all the improvisers who tread the boards of Comedy Warehouse: I was a member of the first cast to do improv at the CW. Despite the fact that I was only there for one year I look back at it as one of the fullest year of my life. There were ups and down, struggles and accomplishments, sadness and joy. Perhaps the greatest satisfaction came from the fact that for one year I made my living exclusively as an actor, no day job.

Here are some of the things that come to mind when I think of that 13 months in 1990-1991.

Our first night visiting the club, seeing the Forbidden Disney, and being thankful that we didn’t have to that show. Then at our first rehearsal being told we would have to learn it before we could do improv.Crusty the Crouton.Doing some of our best work at rehearsal during a “Harold.”The Jenny Craig mania that took over the green room.Mo Collins cracking everyone up with some of her wacky characters.Going to Fireworks after a show for a quick beverage and having some drunken hottie in the tightest shorts imaginable coming up to me and saying how funny I was, and then asking me to introduce her to the bass player in the band because “he is so hot!” Damn musicians get all the women!!!Saddam You’re Rockin’ the Boat our first and thankfully only attempt at being politically relevantThe thought of Budge always makes me smile. RIPThe first night of Pleasure Island’s Every Night is New Year’s Eve promotion, the entire audience leaves in the middle of the show to see the fireworks, leaving just our food and beverage staff to enjoy the show. The cast brought roses for them.Being glued to CNN during the first Gulf War. Sometimes it was hard being funny when the sorties were flying.Ken Armour accidentally uttering “SHIT!” on stage, and the way the news that someone had said a swear word on a Disney stage spread across the whole park.Me, not so accidentally, saying to a bunch of rowdy spring breakers, “You guys are starting to piss me off!” Got written up for that one.Meeting Robin Williams, Bobcat Goldthwaite, Regis Philbin, Joan London, John Davidson and others.Looking up in the audience during a particularly funny sketch and seeing Michael Eisner and Alan Alda in the back of the house laughing.The Dick Tracy movie opening and the rumors that maybe Dustin Hoffman, Warren Beatty or (gasp!!!) the material girl herself might see our show.Listening to Denny Zavett doing the same routine before each show.The early crowd as enthusiastic as a dead fish and the last show as drunk as a skunk and giving suggestions that would make a sailor blush.Nailing a song, emotions, talk show or any other format.Being told that I was a funny guy but not right for Disney… and holding back the tears.My last show where I tried to resurrect the ghost of John Belushi, John Candy and Severn Darden and go out like gangbusters.

So here’s to Mo Collins, Jim Detmar, Larry Bucklan, Ken Armour, Sheila Heyman, Christine Decker, Jennifer Duke, Budge Thelkeld, Mark Lainer, Chris Oyen, Mary Thompson Hunt, Layden Sadecky, Shannon O’Brien, Mavis Turley, our stage managers, and tech and food and beverage staffs. We were the pioneers, the group that showed Disney, the most controlling of corporations, that it is okay to occasionally fly by the seat of your pants.

I am no longer acting, but I got my master’s degree in urban planning. I am one of Jerry’s Kids, being diagnosed with a form of Muscular Dystrophy, and a wheelchair is my main mode of transportation. No more acting and I do miss it. I married a wonderful woman who I make laugh with songs that I make up on the spot, just like the old days. I live in Lakewood, Ohio. Drop me a line if you like. tomfahey@ameritech.net

There is an old Irish toast the goes:

There are good ships,and there are wood ships,The ships that sail the sea.But the best ships, are friendships,And may they always be.Hope we all remember the friendships that have crossed our paths through the years!!! Tommy Fahey