We specialize in creating a unique Broadway-style musical on the spot. Each performance is a one-of-a-kind experience, as the team creates a fully-realized musical from scratch based on an audience suggestion. Our main show features two parts: the first is a 40-minute hero’s journey musical. The second is a Day in the Life in which they interview an audience member and use the events of their life as the launching pad for a 25-minute musical.

From the piano accompaniment to the songs and dancing to the interactive stage lighting, each show builds in front of your eyes. Every performance is dynamic, witty, full of energy, and sure to leave audiences entertained.

The One Four Fives emerged as St. Louis’s premier musical improv team in 2018 at the Compass Improv Festival. Darrell Barber, the musical director at the Improv Shop and the previous pianist for iO Chicago and Second City, had dreamt of forming a musical team in St. Louis for years when he connected with Barbara “Boo” Kersting and Ryan Myers. Boo studied at the Groundlings, an LA-based improv theater, and had been the official songwriter for the Nashville Comedy Theater. Ryan Myers, was a seasoned improviser with a degree in opera performance and many leading roles under his belt. With these three minds together, our team began to take form. Soon after, Anna Bushlack, a solo performance artist and playwriting specialist, and the Improv Shop’s own general manager, Andy Sloey, were recruited to the first iteration of our team.

In 2019, Nathan Maul, Jennifer Korman, and Ashley Rube joined the team bringing dance, additional comedic depth, extensive improv skills, and even more narrative passion to the team. Since then, we’ve performed monthly to sold out audiences at The Improv Shop. Through the pandemic, we translated our live performance to an online format, learning how to synchronize singing with the piano from 8 different locations. We’ve also had primetime, main stage shows at Flyover Comedy Festival in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and performed at St. Louis Fringe Festival in 2024. The One Four Fives have performed at improv festivals outside of St. Louis, like IO Fest 2024 in Chicago and Third Coast Festival in Nashville.

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