FARMINGTON – Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, which can mean only one thing – the day before is Friday the 13th. Playing up on that theme, western Maine’s newest improv comedy troupe, Teachers Lounge Mafia, will bring its “Bad Luck” show to the University of Maine at Farmington at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13.

“Bad Luck” features a collection of original improv comedy designed to make the granddaddy of all heartbreaker holidays go down a bit easier. There will be classic crowd-participation games as well as improvisational storytelling built around just a few suggestions from the audience.

In December, Teachers Lounge Mafia presented its first performance, “Stale Milk & Sour Cookies” at UMF’s Alumni Theater. Anyone who attended this show and sees “Bad Luck” can expect more of the same energy and intensity, but with new games and scenes.

The humor will be plentiful, but audiences should be aware that it is not for all ages. Audience discretion is advised.

Making up Teachers Lounge Mafia are area comic actors Emily Pottle, Gavin Pickering, Jeff Bailey, Kyla Wheeler, Natalie Bean and Dan Ryder. Several are former members of other improv groups, including The Curtain Raisers and Lawn Chair Pirates. They take inspiration from the early years of “Saturday Night Live;” theater groups Upright Citizens Brigade, Kids in the Hall and The State; the writings of Nicholas Sparks and H.P Lovecraft; and their own twisted comic stylings.

“Bad Luck” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Lincoln Auditorium. Admission is free with donations collected to support the Alzheimer’s Association’s Maine chapter. For more information, call (207) 578-0357 or e-mail teachersloungemafia@gmail.com.

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