Review: TAMPA METROPOLITAN IMPROV (TMI) at The Studio At Carrollwood Cultural Center

TMI: Tampa Metropolitan Improv launched in spectacular fashion on Friday, June 20, with a sold-out debut performance at the Studio at Carrollwood Cultural Center. The night was a riot of inventive comedy and infectious energy—offering Tampa a much-needed dose of sharp, spontaneous joy.

Led by co-founders Jesse Hutson and Erica Garraffa, whose long-standing creative partnership anchored the show, the evening moved with the polish of seasoned improvisers and the raw excitement of a fresh company taking flight. Their vision, nearly a decade in the making, was met with roaring approval.

Hutson, Garraffa, Eddie Gomez, Yvelisse Cedrez Wallace, Lianne McDonnell-Kruger, and Topher Larkin delivered a magnetic ensemble performance. Each performer brought their own flavor: Gomez with his unpredictable wit, Wallace with commanding timing and character shifts, McDonnell-Kruger with a mix of sincerity and absurdity, and Larkin, who credited his bright red shoes for fueling the fun, became the punchline of a running gag that delighted throughout the night.

The troupe’s chemistry was undeniable, powering a seamless flow of spontaneous scenes that had the audience roaring. A highlight was the wonderful audience interaction: voices eagerly shouted suggestions that the performers skillfully incorporated on stage, while sentences written on paper slips before the show were cleverly woven into one of the Improv games.

In a particularly memorable moment, the ensemble invited Carrollwood Cultural Center’s Artistic Director, Chris Holcom, to join them onstage. Seamlessly folding into the action, Holcom not only kept up but fit right in—earning big laughs and showcasing the inclusive, improvisational spirit that defines TMI’s approach.