July 20, 2009

CORNING -- There's a new deli open in Corning, but it's not what you might think.
     The Performance Deli is a week-long improvisational theater.  Actors from Alligator Mouth Improv sing, dance, tell stories, and play instruments – and it’s all made to order.  The customer decides what the actors perform.
     The deli is the brainchild of Corning's Rhonda Morton.  She says it wouldn't have been possible without a New York State grant called artist crossroads.
     “My passion is bringing art to people who wouldn't normally go see art -- people who wouldn't take themselves to a theater to see something, people who may not have the money to go see art -- so this is a way for people just walking by on the street to be invited in,” said Morton.
     East High School students Marissa Miller and Maggie Wayne worked with the improv group for three weeks learning all sorts of techniques.  They were front-and-center at Monday’s premiere performances.
     “It really allows yourself to be you.  In a performance, you're a different character.  But this is more of yourself being another character,” said Miller.
     “I went into it thinking it would probably be like ‘Who's Line Is It Anyway’ comedy improv, but there's so much more,” said Wayne.
     Performance Deli runs the rest of the week from 11:30 to 1:30, and Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 3 at 79 W. Market Street.

CLICK HERE for more information.