iO Theater class honors late comic Robin Williams with new improv game

By Michael Loring

On Wednesday, the date of iO Theater’s soft opening in its new space on North Kingsbury and just a couple of days after stunning news broke of actor and lauded improvisational comic Robin Williams’

suicide, iO performer/instructor Jason Chin reported that he and his Level 4B charges have devised a new improv warm-up game in Williams’ honor.

Here’s a recent post from Chin’s Facebook page explaining how it works:

Everyone in a circle.

Someone starts passing the game by pointing at another person with the Vulcan salute and saying “Nanu Nanu!”

The person being pointed at can respond in one of six ways:

“I’m a hot dog!” and they stiffen up (like in “Mrs. Doubtfire“), while the people flanking become their hot dog bun (hug the middle person).
“Oh, Captain, My Captain!” and they place their hand over their heart while the people flanking them salute.
Sing: “You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me!” while the people flanking them “surf” on their magic carpets.
“Goooood Morning, Vietnam!” while spinning (like a record), while the people flanking them act like a spindle or point at the top of their heads.
“FLUBBER!” — this bounces the Nanu Nanu pass right back to the sender.
“Bangarang!” — everyone changes places in the circle while chanting “Rufio! Rufio!”

Another fine tribute to a man missed by millions.

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