Food Court Musical

For our latest mission, 16 agents staged a spontaneous musical in the food court of a Los Angeles shopping mall. We used wireless microphones to amplify the vocal performances and mix them together with the music through the mall’s PA system. We filmed the mission with hidden cameras, mostly behind two-way mirrors. Apart from our performers, no one in the food court was aware of what was happening. Enjoy the video first and then go behind the scenes with our report below.


(YouTube link)
song by Scott Brown and Anthony King; arranged by Jamie Laboz

Featuring: Agents Campbell, Cowan, Brister, Caldwell, Sutton, Ahn, Park, Nwaeze, Jervier, Thorn, Fair, Costelo, Grimm, Perube, LaBarr, Appel, Todd
Digital Video: Agent Carbone
Choreography: Agent Tallaksen

We’ve had tons of ideas emailed to us over the years. Out of all of them, one stands out as the absolute most suggested: “You know how it’s weird in musicals that people just break out into song for no reason? You guys should stage a musical like that in a public place.” We’ve probably gotten over 100 emails just like that. Well, we finally decided it was time to make it happen.

It should be noted that staging a musical in a public place is not a new idea. It’s been done before by several groups, the most popular of which took place in a lecture hall, staged several years ago by the old Columbia University group, Prangstgr�p.

We wanted to create an original song for this mission, so I turned to Agents Brown and King, longtime Improv Everywhere Agents and writers of the hit Off-Broadway show, Gutenberg! The Musical! For your listening pleasure, I’ve uploaded their original demo of the song, where they sing all of the parts. A few changes were made to the final version. Most notably “diet soda” was changed to “lemonade” as the restaurant we started in only sold lemonade. You can hear the parts of the song that were cut out of the video (things were cut for time, in order to create a tight video.)


(direct link to song)

Unfortunately there are very few photos from this mission. It took place in Los Angeles, so our normal photographers were not around. We decided to focus on getting the best video possible, and photography was sadly left out. We do have a few photos of our rehearsal process.


Agent Tallaksen leads rehearsal

We met the day before to rehearse the song and learn the choreography. Agent Tallaksen did an excellent job as the choreographer, bringing the song to life and adding in ridiculously hilarious blocking. Since we are not based out of LA, and this mission took place before our new global site was launched, we had to do a bit of searching to find the right agents. A few were personal friends of mine, a few were actors from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in LA, and some answered a casting call on craigslist. The mall we chose is in the middle of downtown LA and is very racially diverse. It was important to us to have an equal amount of diversity in the cast.

Typically Improv Everywhere does not ask for permission from the location where we are staging our mission. This was a rare exception. By working with the mall we would gain incredible access and be able to make the experience for the food court patrons all the more awesome. The mall let us rehearse the song the night before after they had closed.

We were able to test out our blocking and make sure it worked with the food court layout. The mall let us patch the performers microphones and the music into their PA system, which would make the performance loud and clear for everyone there. We were also able to install two-way mirrors in several spots to enable us to film the mission with our cameras completely hidden, again making the experience for those who would witness it all the more unique.


There is a hidden camera hiding behind the tinted glass in the door above.

The mall got us in touch with the folks from Hot Dog on a Stick, a west-coast corndog chain that had a location in the food court. The chain loaned us one of their uniforms for Agent Campbell to wear, and gave her access to behind the counter. Hilariously, Agent Campbell ended up having to actually help several customers as we were waiting for the mission to begin.

While the management of both the mall and Hot Dog on a Stick were aware of what we were doing, they kept the mission a secret from everyone else. All of the employees of the other food court establishments had absolutely no idea that our musical was going to take place.

The execution of the mission itself was tons of fun. It was awesome to watch the reactions of the folks sitting and eating as one by one people started joining in on the song. The coolest moment happened when Agent Caldwell broke into song. He was playing the role “janitor” and had actually been clearing trash off of people’s tables for a half-hour leading up to the mission. It was fun to see people realize that the man who had cleaned up their table five minutes ago was now singing in the middle of a musical.


Agent Caldwell

The security guard moment also worked really well. Agent Sutton wore a black “security” jacket that was identical to the real mall security. You could feel the tension grow after he entered, with everyone assuming he was there to shut down the performance. It was a great misdirect.


Agents Brister and Sutton

There were several agents who got cut out of the video (you can hear their parts in the song included above.) We had three skater punks skate in and sing, a group of young girls did a cheer about napkins, and several more agents posing as regular folks eating joined in for the finale. By the end there were shoppers lined up watching us from the second level, and we got a nice round of applause when we finished. However, there was no bow. Our agents returned to whatever they were doing before the song broke out, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Mission Accomplished


OTHER RESOURCES:

We’ve uploaded a “zip” file with an mp3 of the orchestrated backing track we used in the food court, an mp3 of the song played on piano, and a PDF of the complete lyrics to the song. This should be everything you need to stage the song on your own. Unfortunately no sheet music exists.

Download the zip file

If this is your first time here:
-our other 70+ missions can be seen here: Missions
-sign up for our RSS feed
-New Yorkers join our NY Agents list
-everyone else can get involved in their town at Improv Everywhere Global

418 Responses to “Food Court Musical”


  1. 1 Allen

    This was hilarious! In a lot of sitcoms, musicals just break out, but seeing one in real life has got to be a little weird. The best part was when Agent Sutton(security) come by and has a serious look on his face, but then starts singing. Great mission.

  2. 2 Daniel

    That was awesome guys. Well done!

  3. 3 Massimo Orsini

    Brilliant! Can’t get enough of you guys.

  4. 4 kaekae

    can we see the whole video sometime?
    I think this one is my favorite so far (or close)

  5. 5 E boogie

    You guys are awesome!
    I loved it!

  6. 6 Chris M

    AWESOME. I love all of the pranks, but this one is in the top 5. :)

  7. 7 Al

    Funny, but not really “improv” is it?

  8. 8 Y2K

    Beautiful, absolutely beautiful in every sense of the word. Well done indeed :D

  9. 9 Voyagerfan5761

    This title sounds like a cross between two Disney films: High School Musical and Full Court Miracle. It’s really funny just for that.

    Who came up with the “napkins” topic? That made it even funnier, because even musicals usually have more serious reasons to sing. :D

  10. 10 Arthur

    Oh, that was awesome.

  11. 11 James Cobalt

    Been waiting to see this pulled off like this for years. Bravo!

  12. 12 Andrew C.

    You guys are seriously amazing; I am always impressed! At the end of this song, I actually clapped as if I were there!

    Keep up the great work!

  13. 13 Allison

    amazing job!

    this is hysterical!!

    i’ve sent it on to many friends! (many who love high school musical and other disney comedies where they also just randomly break out in song!)

  14. 14 Mal

    Awesome mission! Love to see/helpout in New York sometime with this kind of thing.

  15. 15 Michelle

    This is by far one of the best missions you guys have ever pulled off. The only way it could have been better would have been if the mall and HDoaS had not been in on it, but that would have been very risky.

    I’d like to see the Craig’s List ad.

  16. 16 PenguinMan

    Well done. Too bad there’s no complete video - I’d love to be able to see the missing parts.

  17. 17 Meryl

    Aw. Fantastic. Wish the patrons had given a warmer reception, though. Silly.

  18. 18 Jaypoc

    I can only say Amazing! I have to give props to the Mall and Hot Dog on a Stick for having a sense of humor and really working with you guys to put on this “production”. I hope you’ll consider doing more spontaneous musicals in the future, in different venues, and closer to home (I’m in New York myself!) Great job. I’d say more, but I’m dying to watch that video one more time! :)

  19. 19 Chloe K Evil

    Oh my god, I have said for YEARS that the world needs to be more like a musical. Thank you for proving me right. This was amazing.

  20. 20 keri rosebraugh

    you guys are great!!! I LOVE what you are doing! Can I be on your mailing list? And I’d love to help out, be included if you need more people involved!!!
    The best!!!

    keri

  21. 21 Lori

    a-freakin’-mazing, as always……

    ..but you might have outdone yourselves this time! ;)

  22. 22 Zach!

    You should upload the full-length version!

    Good work!

  23. 23 ColleenM

    That’s awesome! I love that the mall, hot dog on a stick, etc all went along with this. It was so great!!!!

  24. 24 Amy H

    WOW!!!!! So well done :) Great work Mr. T

  25. 25 Ben

    I’m guessing this is for the TV show you were hoping to do. I’m somewhat glad it fell through; while the idea is amusing, the Hollywood editing, voice over, and general Candid Camera knockoff style make it seem much less authentic than your previous missions.

  26. 26 JMB

    I love reading your missions! This was one of the first to have me giggling throughout. I loved the people’s reactions. Brilliant!

    My only wish is that someday the full video goes online someday.

  27. 27 Pudge

    I number among the masses who e-mailed agent Todd saying he should do this. Here are photographs from when a few friends and I performed a similar prank in Chicago.

  28. 28 Agent Droid

    WAIT WHAT?! YOU DID A MISSION IN LOS ANGELES?! AWWW MAN! I MISSED OUT! (That said, I was really looking forward to hearing about this one!)

  29. 29 Kelly

    That was hilarious! I’ve always wanted to stage something like this! You guys are awesome!

  30. 30 Ben

    I’ll second the fact that I’d love to see the full video.

    PS. Still totally love all your missions. I forwarded this to my friends at the Boston Conservatory (a music / dance school).

  31. 31 Spaz muppet

    I love you! I love you! I love you!

  32. 32 Jesse Thorn

    So proud to have been a part of this! I’d been admiring the movement from the left coast for so many years, it was really an honor to get an invite to participate in a mission from Charlie!

    Sorry to see that my big solo (OK, half a line) was cut, but I thought the standout performance was definitely Caldwell as the janitor. Nice guy, too.

    My favorite part was working with Agent Talleksen! What a fun guy; he really embraced the broadness of musical theater.

  33. 33 Jesse

    Hey can we get a link to actually download this song?
    iMeem just links to non-existent iTunes and Amazon pages to buy it even though you aren’t actually selling it(Although considering the sheer awesomeness of this song I would gladly pay the 90c to buy it from amazon XD)

  34. 34 dani new york

    yes yes yes. to see real reactions to random musical numbers. brilliant

  35. 35 Jim Strathmeyer

    Awesome.

  36. 36 Patti

    Holy wow… that was utterly brilliant! I laughed out loud when the janitor joined into the fray. I’m a huge fan of musical theater, and you guys nailed the whole genre absolutely perfectly. I’m amazed and awed at the writing, the performance, the choreography… everything!

  37. 37 Michael Taylor

    thats amazing stuff!!!
    keep it up!!

  38. 38 Georg

    That was brilliant. Cheers!

  39. 39 igor

    I pretty much want this to happen every day of my life. I am just waiting for it.

  40. 40 Alec

    Haha, that was fantastic! I loved it (^_^)

  41. 41 Noelle

    Wow! Made me cry, I love it! :D

  42. 42 Carmelly

    I’ve been following the IE missions for years now, and I’d been dying to see something like this. Great job guys!

  43. 43 Nicholas Barnard

    Awesome! While a departure from the usual Improv Everywhere setup, this is definitely one of my favorites! It brought a huge smile to my face!

  44. 44 Zafmyster

    Wooow that was amazing. I wish something like that would happen in London. I can’t wait to see what you guys do next. Maybe you should do an impromptus football match in a supermarket…lol the look on the custoemrs faces would be priceless!

  45. 45 Doctorsoul

    The Shot at 3.21 of the little girl smiling brought a tear to my eyes.
    Great improv!

  46. 46 kcharm

    LOL!!!

    if u liked that u should check out ‘if life were a musical’ on youtube, by an australian comedy group called the chasers war on everything…its pric4eless!!!!

  47. 47 WC

    I had my initial doubts, but after watching the video… That’s the most beautiful thing you guys have done yet. Others still hold the ‘funniest’ title, though. ;) Way to go!

  48. 48 Bimokumoro

    AMAZING!! as usual…Great job guys!!

  49. 49 mikemystery

    That is just about the best thing I have ever seen in my life.

  50. 50 Jan Powell

    This made me burst into tears from the sheer joy of the event. I want to be apart of it.

  51. 51 Sylvie

    This is the greatest thing I’ve ever dream about !! I wish I was living in America to join you and make things like that ! I love that… Tell me if some stuff like that is done in Europe :-D (I’m a swiss girl living in Switzerland)

  52. 52 Jen

    Couldn’t you have done something better for a song?

  53. 53 John Pickering

    Well just wached the food hall musical from here in England. I must say it was absolutely terrific it brought tears to my eyes, you folks over there have got something good going, don’t lose it.

  54. 54 tim

    Charlie “Look the janitor’s still cleaning up”
    HA
    You guys have outdone yourselves. This is GENIUS!!!

  55. 55 Moe

    Did that guy say ” he’s the most singingest janitor i ever saw” ? lol!

    fantastic guys! I love how everyone was throwing napkins at them but they only stopped when charlie handed them a napkin

  56. 56 Mark

    only have one word for ya’ll.

    BRAVO!!!!!

  57. 57 Randy

    Totally Awesome!! But I feel a little cheated. Why not make the full version available. We didn’t even get to see the ’singingest janitor ever’ dance!

  58. 58 Matt_

    The Chaser guys in Australia did “If life where a musical” on nearly every one of thier TV shows last year .

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg1Na8kDfVA

    http://www.abc.net.au/tv/chaser/war/

  59. 59 Laura

    You guys are amazing (yeah I know it’s been said before but I wanted to say it too ;) ), I adored this one! I think I’ll steal your idea and stage something like that at my university :P

  60. 60 michael briney

    BRAVO!!!!!

  61. 61 Matt

    Hey guys, once again, brought a massive smile to my face! Awesome and well done!!

  62. 62 Dude

    Truely Awesome. I Love this Site You bring improvatinal comedyn to a new level. I love it. I would like to see the whole video in it’s entirety. Keep doing what your doing, creating smiles.

  63. 63 AeC

    They gooot…the mustaaard…ooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuut!

  64. 64 Holly

    Yesss! That was incredible!! As a musical theatre major, that just made my week. Those lucky patrons…if something like that happened while I was out, that would have made my life…lol.

    Anyway, very inspiring. I’ll have to round up friends and put on our own original musical… :)

  65. 65 Garnprinzessin

    Amazing! Awesome! You just made my day!

  66. 66 Kevin Coppock

    You guys always manage to amaze me, this was absolutely hilarious, I loved it! I’d love to have something like this happen while I was around, yet I’m surprised how many of the patrons in the video seemed annoyed rather than amused.

    I think the highlight of the clip was the janitor joining in, came out of nowhere. :D

    Great job as always!

  67. 67 Michelle

    Love love love. I second the commenter who said he burst into applause at the end, just sitting here and watching online. And I third/fourth/fifth the commenters who are begging for the full-length video. Please? I really want to see the singinest janitor I ever seen become the dancinest janitor I ever seen.

    You guys’ work makes me so happy. Seriously, people say “[x] made my day” all the time but this really did. Keep it up. Awesome stuff.

  68. 68 Joe

    Ha, excellent. I’ve been hoping you’d do something like this. Thanks for the laughs, guys!

  69. 69 Leon Freilich

    How many minutes? Seven?

    Food court heaven.

  70. 70 Kingharvest

    Wonderful. Just fantastic. Funny and well-written and executed. Broadway awaits!

  71. 71 Marcelo Teson

    I’m not sure, but the guy at the end who says it’s the “singingest janitor I’ve ever seen” looks a LOT like Chester Whitmore, who lives in LA and who is one of the best tap dancers in the world. It’s totally possible that he happened to be at that mall. That would have been fun if he had tap danced too.

  72. 72 sygyzy

    I love how the audience reactions in LA and NY are totally different. In this video, people seemed annoyed or confused but in NY they get really excited and happy.

  73. 73 schnippy

    best stunt yet, I’ve watched this 4-5 times now and can’t get the song out of my head — love it!!

  74. 74 Sarah

    How nervous do you get when you are performing for people who aren’t waiting for a performance?

    The performance was brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

  75. 75 Andrew

    This is now my favorite Improv Everywhere. When are we going to see the full video??

  76. 76 jakdin

    This really made my day! The world needs more wonderful people and happy moments like this. Cheers!

  77. 77 Goatview

    Every time I watch this I like it more! What a great stunt and it’s even a really good song. Love the janitor–what a wonderful voice. Security officer was terrific. So was the Mother, the Paper Hat Girl, the guy with mustard on his pants…did I forget anyone? Wow. You all deserve Tonys.

    Thanks for the big smile on my face,

    Marilyn

  78. 78 Nori B

    That was hilarious! I’ve always loved you guys. That one took some work.

  79. 79 Afrosplat

    Seeing this made my day. In all honesty, it has restored my faith in America. Someone keyed $2k worth of damage to my car at a children’s event for Thomas the Train. I was about to go postal or lock myself in my house. You all are doing gods work.

  80. 80 Ondrej

    That was great - My favorite part was the “uhoh” moment when the security guard shows up, but then starts singing and everyone in the audience seems to relax. Hoping for the full-length video!

  81. 81 Carry

    I’m sorry to say that I am not a fan of musicals. Whenever I see one in a movie, I tend to roll my eyes and pray it’s not too long to give me hives. But this looked like it was tons of fun, not only to put together but to have been able to see it in action as a spectator.

    I’m sad we missed the cut bits, I would have loved to have seen that!

  82. 82 Agent Simmons

    Nice baby toss Agent Brister. I hope child services doesn’t get wind of this.

  83. 83 Jeff Lin

    Ahhaha, I loved the janitor part. Man, I’ve noticed how great the video quality’s been getting. The years really fly by, don’t they?

  84. 84 Jason

    Wow, that was amazing! I only wish I was one of the people sitting there wondering what was going on.

    -Jason

  85. 85 Peter

    100th Comment!

    Wow, this is so funny

  86. 86 Marie

    PRICELESS. hilarious. genius. I love the security guard :)

  87. 87 Erika

    Man that was great. You guys have to do this one in NY too, I want to participate!

    Kudos to the mall guys for playing along, and I’d like to add my voice to the requests for the full video! I love the things you guys do. Count me in the next time you do some random fun in NY!

  88. 88 Alan

    You guys rock! Here’s to making the world a less predictable, funnier, more creative and happier place.

  89. 89 Agent Mambazo

    Loved it> FANTASTIK

  90. 90 Frank

    You guys are amazing! Plus the silly songwriting is brilliant.

  91. 91 agent bruno

    I love how Agent Todd just sits and takes it all in, like a father watching the birth of a child. Congrats on a great IE mission.

  92. 92 BobH

    I started watching this expecting to hate it, and actually loved it. Clever, witty — just plain fun. Thank you!!!

  93. 93 TAJ

    Should my faith in musicals as entertainment wane, I will look on this and be restored. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

  94. 94 Jill

    Thanks for making the world a more magical and certainly much more interesting place.

  95. 95 Tia

    THANK YOU, Thank you, for making life fun! My kids thought I was the only one who broke out in song.

  96. 96 Haxzaw

    …not quite the same improv as usual but funny as S@$t!!! nun the less, kudos to the whole improv team for this 1 keep it up guys!

  97. 97 RObin

    that song was freakin’ sweeeeeeeeeet (sung in c minor)

  98. 98 Sphenga

    How did you guys that is my secret fantasy to have my world suddenly turn into a musical? My God, I wish I had been there.

  99. 99 JamesLimborg.com

    hahahahahahha… I loved it! I emailed it to all my friends and family! Loved the look on all the peoples faces. Great performance.

  100. 100 KDog

    Absolutely brilliant. I needed a laugh to end my day.

  101. 101 artoodeetoo

    Where can I get a hi-res version? Can someone post it on Vuze?

  102. 102 Chuck

    Awesome I was cryin I was laughing so hard. Sorry I missed it I am not far from LA. Wish you would do more out here.

  103. 103 Peter

    Just like that episode of Buffy — “Once More with Feeling”.

    The mention of mustard is even a bit of an (unintentional?) homage to a particular little number in that show.

    Great job!

  104. 104 Luis S.

    Lol the Janitor part was completely hilarious!!!!
    Great song and act!

  105. 105 joan

    How fun! Thanks.

  106. 106 Natalie

    haha i love it you guys are expanding to different states, niceee!

  107. 107 Rob

    this is the best mission you guys have ever done. hands down. even beats the big freeze which was awesome. i would love to see the full video!!

  108. 108 George Washington

    Bravo! Bravo!

  109. 109 TheLongIslandGuy

    WOW! Amazing! Best thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

  110. 110 Agent AZ Zona

    Lemon for Lemon, Straw to Straw, Fork to chopstick, look for look, pound for pound, note for note and serviette to serviette, this was a great fast food operetta! Ting! Should have wrapped with a triangle! Too bad Moon Unit Zappa wasn’t there for a nosh. My napkin flies for you!

    Like TOTALLY!

  111. 111 Krista

    I’ve always wanted life to be a musical! Wish I could have been there!

  112. 112 Remember this?

    Here are some ideas that we get all the time and will probably never do for reasons indicated:

    1. Do a spotaneous musical on the streets or some other public place (This has been done before way too many times.)

  113. 113 Agent StalePhish

    Astonishing! I can’t believe you pulled it off so smoothly!

  114. 114 Donkey

    EXCELLENT!

  115. 115 alba posters

    How creative! I bet this was hilarious to see in person. My mall’s food court sucks.

  116. 116 Dmitri

    Please, please, upload the whole performance? It’s a shame to have to cut out so much. :(

  117. 117 Graeme

    this is the most glorious thing that has ever happened

  118. 118 FPM

    I used to perform in Food Court Musical Improvs when i was a homeless rodeo clown but not any more. Now I am a world class magician !

  119. 119 Marc

    I love your stuff but… doesn’t this defeat the idea of ‘improv’? Maybe it’s my west coast bias showing, but this looks like a pilot for a reality show. It was more like ‘Cameras Everywhere’.

  120. 120 SSA

    First time here, and THIS WAS GREAT!!!!

    You guys are on Digg, too.

  121. 121 CWCoonce

    I have a new favorite website!
    Very entertaining!
    Great imagination.

  122. 122 Rich S

    Freaking. Awesome! :D

    It looks so professional too! o_0 My compliments to the composers!

  123. 123 Ana

    I can’t believe you had an LA mission and I didn’t even know about it. And a musical, no less! Wish I could have been a part of it because this was truly hilarious.

  124. 124 Brian Potter

    You are such an inspiration! I was going to do a massive fake marriage proposal with tons of people at a local mall until someone who works at mall security found out about it and I had to cancel the event. Thanks for doing what you do and creating exceptional experiences!

    -Brian

  125. 125 Charlie Todd

    @Remember This?

    Note the word “probably.” :)

    What did you use to find that? The Way Back Machine? Busted.

  126. 126 Mani Gandham

    Hilarious and utterly amazing!!! hahaha thank you for doing this! Only wish I could’ve been there to see it all

  127. 127 TaiwanJohn

    Fantabulous! What’s up w the peeps eating tho? many of them look almost upset, if I had been there I probably would’ve broken out singin myself! (then the crowd would really have been angry) Super Awesome-O!!

  128. 128 InkGypsy

    This was why I came to America - the land of the Musical! Apparently I should go to the mall more often though… can’t believe I missed it (though in my defense LA is a big place). Brilliant stuff. More please!

  129. 129 Thoams

    Genius! I would love to be a part of something like this…

  130. 130 matt

    brought tears to my eyes; hilarious!

  131. 131 Tim

    Awesome work! My favourite mission thus far. You guys rock.

  132. 132 ksklein

    wow. what a cool video!

  133. 133 Jason

    Nice work, guys!

    Reminded me of that scene in ‘Enchanted’ when a full-blown musical breaks out in Central Park.

  134. 134 trish

    This is hilarious!

  135. 135 Kerry

    That is the most fantastic thing I have ever seen!!!

  136. 136 beatlebug

    Best part… the janitor! I thought he was one of the “unaware” until he bursted into song… that was definitely one of the funniest!

  137. 137 Drew

    I really hope I’m an unsuspecting spectator for an IE event at some point in my life. What a blast! This one moves right up my list of favorites, great job guys. Thanks for doing this Charlie & gang and thanks for making them better and better (well, except for the Moebius, they don’t get better than that).

  138. 138 Nikki

    That was fantastic!

  139. 139 Marc B

    I’m speechless. Brilliant, Mr. Charlie Todd, brilliant. :) Nice job on the casting too.

  140. 140 Jon

    do you guys have the full video of the musical? I really want to see the entire thing

  141. 141 heather

    Finally someone pulls off something great like this! Bravo guys! The funniest part was watching the WTF faces of all of the people not involved.

  142. 142 pgpmadrid

    This is that the world needs. GREAT!!!

    More laughts. More love.

    NOT TO WAR

  143. 143 Karen Brown

    That is great! I love it!

  144. 144 N

    You should put out a long version of the video. It sounds like the other parts would make it a lot cooler.

  145. 145 M.C. Router

    They need to come to Houston Texas

  146. 146 Betty

    The first thing I thought of as well was Buffy - “Once More With Feeling.” Love it. I don’t think the permission factor torched this at all. I would just consider the mall connections honorary agents. It’s all about the people’s reactions. I think everyone did a fabulous job. Thanks for sharing.

  147. 147 nik

    Awesome job guys!!! Best thing I’ve seen in a while.

  148. 148 Martí

    incredible..
    your site is awesome! Greetings from Barcelona, Catalonia!

  149. 149 Dan R.

    Utterly fantastic! You guys are awesome!

  150. 150 Oscar

    Will you ever post the entire show?

    Oscar

  151. 151 nadadenada

    very incredible and funny, i like all your videos, i have only a petition, you would be able to put subtitles (in english) to some video? the deaf people and the people who can read english but can´t understand a conversation will be thanked

  152. 152 Jobra

    WAoOw! so fucking good! it makes me cry!

  153. 153 suzi

    My son directed me to your site because I’m extremely stresed right now. He said I needed a laugh and boy did I get one. Loved this video and I plan to watch the others soon. THANKS

  154. 154 Alouise

    As a huge fan of musicals, I’ve often wished that real life were like a musical… people singing and dancing over simple everyday matters. This performance was awesome, I loved every minute of it. This is my first time to your site, and I look forward to seeing more improve projects. Great job.

  155. 155 IE Junkie

    Standing ovation!

  156. 156 Peter

    Bravo!! Bravo!! Bravo!!

    So beautiful, so funny, so uplifting.

    You guys are so dear.

    Thank you for spreading happiness around. “Engaier” in French, which translates to, well, “gayifying.”

    :)

    Thank you for proving that even a place as dreary as a shopping mall can be gayified.

  157. 157 theodora

    beautiful! I am SO proud to be a human right now, and this is a rare thing feeling indeed! I hope you do a sequel. Or 4.

  158. 158 Xose (Madrid, EU)

    Congratulations guys. I love these artistic perfomance. In fact, for me it directly links with the very essence of Middle Age minstrelsy and jongleurs. Keep up the good work!

  159. 159 Ruth

    I’m too old to comment

  160. 160 Chris

    Odd, I was just saying to my mates at the weekend how much better would the world be if people just spontaneously broke out into song and dance for no reason like in movies.
    Loved it.

  161. 161 Fred

    AWESOME! Loved the expression on people’s faces. Two thumbs up for the Security guy!!

  162. 162 spanish

    me ha encantado, enhorabuena

  163. 163 George

    Good work,
    But I’ve got to say that an Aussie TV show has been doing this since 2005-6.
    The show is called The Chaser’s War on Everything, it’s probably one of the best comedy news satire programs ever made.

    Check out
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym4cnamxkSM

    for there segment “If life were a musical”
    Cheers all

  164. 164 MaryW

    Seattle. Please come to Seattle. Please…

    Thanks for this–great job!

  165. 165 Rob

    Beautiful, wonderful. You amaze me every time.

  166. 166 NotNits

    I can’t tell you how happy this made me.

  167. 167 rodrigot

    Thank you so much.

  168. 168 Dale

    That was fantastic! I love seeing the people’s faces as this is going on.

  169. 169 jennifer

    Oh it was fantastic!

    I hope this type of improvisations in Spain! :p I would participate too

  170. 170 Scott

    please put the ull length version up.

  171. 171 sano slovakia

    very goooooooooood

  172. 172 badgerbag

    I’ve always wanted to see that happen! Thank you, thank you! It was fanfuckingtastic.

  173. 173 John

    Even though improv and musicals are both kinda gay, you guys did a great job!

  174. 174 Mike L

    The sad part for me is that I live about 2 minutes away from Baldwin Hills mall, and I’ve been kicking around the idea of trying to do an IE:LA type event for a few months now… and I MISSED THIS!

    I want to cry.

    GREAT job everyone! I hope you do more stuff in LA and that I can find out about it in time to participate.

  175. 175 Voyagerfan5761

    @John: Very good. “Gay” is not an appropriate term to use to describe things you wouldn’t do yourself. As one Facebook group puts it, “‘Gay’ is not a synonym for ’stupid’”.

  176. 176 Chuck Anziulewicz

    Oh, that was frigging BRILLIANT! What this sad, bitter old world of ours desperately needs is more Improv Everywhere. You guys are the greatest.

  177. 177 Heidi

    This is awesome! So enjoyable!!!

  178. 178 Katie

    I love this video, it’s defintly one of my favorites along with the MP3 expirament, and the grand central station. What would make it better would an extended version, where we could see the skater dudes and the cheerleaders, and the dancing part. Please do that!

  179. 179 Zingara

    You guys are legends.

  180. 180 Arno

    C’est énorme !!!!

  181. 181 RR

    This is spectacular. I love it. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us see the full version.

  182. 182 Guy

    This was absolutely amazing! It has been my dream for something like that to actually happen in front of me! I love it! I am so sad that I wasn’t there at that mall wondering what the hell was going on! Great job guys!

  183. 183 Frank

    HO MY GOD!! That’s SOOO good!! I always wanted to see something like this!! SOOOO HOT!!!! I need to do this one day! Is there a way that we could see the whole clip? With the skaters and the girls! PLEASE!!!!!

  184. 184 Michael

    This is amazing. imrpov everywhere ftw.

  185. 185 J.S

    seriously awesome!

  186. 186 Kayla

    I just keep wondering why real life can’t be like this!

    Brilliant job everyone!

  187. 187 Seb

    Great performance!! The janitor was the best character out of the ‘musical’ - hilarious with a really good voice!

  188. 188 Nando

    OMG! just AWESOME! i wish i could see you on live someday jajaja keep on with the great job!

    greetings from spain!

  189. 189 Trevor

    I think i might have been one of the people to email you the idea (i thought you should do it in a grocery store)
    Awsome job!!!

  190. 190 J. Spencer

    You guys are freakin’ awesome - no kidding. This stuff blows me away every time!

  191. 191 mle

    Cool, but not really improv, is it? I’m a little dissapointed.

  192. 192 Charles

    You guys should at least credit the dudes that had this idea. Ok I will! Prangstgrup.com .. in like 2002…

  193. 193 Charlie Todd

    @Charles - You should at least read the mission report before commenting on it.

  194. 194 Allan

    this is great!, good work guys.

  195. 195 mehrue

    you guys are awesome, you’re all my new role models

  196. 196 wickedpixel

    full video… please!

  197. 197 Piper1234

    absolutely emotional :D mr janitor has a great voice indeed

  198. 198 Jukka

    Thank you for making the world more weird for a moment :)

  199. 199 twinkletoes

    Thank you so much for this! This is my absolute dream, to just have this sort of thing at any place. I wish I could do this here in the Philippines, but I don’t think they’ll get it. People here seriously need this kind of fun.

  200. 200 gerard pawling

    fantastic idea

  201. 201 Lea

    That just totally made my day. Awesome!!

    Pretty please can we see the full version?

  202. 202 Dyspro

    This is absolutely hilarious. Great idea, great song, and a job well done. Bravo.

  203. 203 Mike T

    Guys, that was amazing! :D

  204. 204 Mateus Alves

    The little girl’s face at the end is priceless, the best mission yet. :)

  205. 205 Troct

    That was very nicely filmed and exhilarating to watch and listen to! Once again, great job! Thank you!

  206. 206 Nikolaj

    Wow !

    Not only is the idea brillant ! but the performance was brillant too !
    I’m in Montréal. If anyone wants to do this, I’m in ! (by the way, I’m a singer).

    Well done !

    Nikolaj

  207. 207 murray

    A wonderful creation in a most banal location. Very touching to see the diners clap and cheer. You lit up peoples day, more please!!!

  208. 208 Carlos

    That was really immpressive!… I’m thankful that you grant us to see a live motion musical… the janitor sings very well but the security guard stole the show… LOL =)

  209. 209 Jackie

    Hey that was at crenshaw mall in los angeles!

  210. 210 Frank

    @ Nikolaj -

    I too live in Montréal and I wish to do such a thing like this!!!!!! Are you in the Improv Everywhere global site?

  211. 211 AltijdAndries

    Great mission, guys!

    Charlie, I love the way you mingle with the audience and act all surprised! Great work, guys!

    Andries (from the Dutch Improv Everywhere-like group Shoqs)

  212. 212 Pman

    Fantastic!!! Loved it.

    I wonder what a subway musical would be like. Just like No Pants mission, People entering the subway train at different stations and join the musical and leave the train while others continue. I guess it might be a tough mission.

  213. 213 Tranbs

    Very incredible!
    I loved it.
    Thanks for this pleasure.

  214. 214 Bruno

    jajaja muy gracioso felicitaciones desde españa por esto que haceis

    haha very funny congratulations from spain for this videos and this website

  215. 215 Mike

    Fabulous! Congratulations to everyone involved, I had a lot of fun watching that, you guys were amazing.

  216. 216 Mish

    Definitely my absolute favourite mission so far!
    Excellent execution.

  217. 217 Donna

    Why can’t we see all the characters in the video?

  218. 218 Stefan

    hehehe, I have just watched your latest ‘mission’ and it was totally amazing!

    I am so glad that I have found your website, since the ‘Food Court Musical’ put a smile on my face and I am now going to check out your other works.

    Have a great day!

    Stefan
    (http://shoptilltheydrop.wordpress.com/)

  219. 219 Kimi

    This is probably, by far, your most popular mission! I see this everywhere on YouTube!! I love musicals (especially random ones!) so this drove me to tears in laughter! Please do more stuff like this in Michigan (more specifically Grosse Pointe areas..!!!)!!!!!

  220. 220 Kimi

    This is probably, by far, your most popular mission! I see this everywhere on YouTube!! I love musicals (especially random ones!) so this drove me to tears in laughter! Please do more stuff like this in Michigan (more specifically Grosse Pointe areas..!!!)!!!!!

  221. 221 Jo

    This sure beats the spontaneous Irish seisun we pulled in a Burger King
    at 11pm one night (Bank holiday and the bar we were playing in wanted to close).

  222. 222 Mike F

    Bravo! The world needs more random acts of senseless creativity.

  223. 223 Kaiser

    Great!!!, i hope see you once (at last)

  224. 224 Rosemary

    Fabulous. I loved it.

  225. 225 Niall

    Lol that was awesome, though Its really not improv at all if its choroeographed and rehearsed. its just inclusive theater

  226. 226 Chloe Ross

    I am still laughing. I have waited for years for someone to just “do a musical” somewhere crowded. I am still laughing. BH Mall is close to me so it made it even funnier. You should try a Trader Joe’s next time ( like you did Best Buy).

  227. 227 Carol Gilbert

    You guys are awesome! Love you! Never stop.

  228. 228 Kathleen

    Oh My,as One that truly believes our world is God’s little prank on the Cosmos…This proves that we are able laugh at the absurdity of our reality…. This was THE BEST!!! Thank-You for a good laugh.

  229. 229 Lisa

    It’s to bad you cut the others out. It would have been cool to see them. This was great! I would LOVE to be in a spontaneous musical.

  230. 230 Salva

    Absolutely great, amazing, go on guys

  231. 231 Atomic Sheri

    I LOVE this. I would absolutely come unglued if I happened to be at a place where an impromptu musical number took place. I hope to be so lucky in my life!

  232. 232 John Priest

    What a great commentary on the monotony of every day life. Yet, totally entertaining!! Well done!

  233. 233 Frank Topp III

    that was pretty amazing!
    great job and keep that ish up!
    lemme know when you post more!

  234. 234 Janine

    That was awesome! You guys should do it in grocery stores or a bank! That was a good show!

  235. 235 amanda

    This was spectacular, all the time I wish real life was a musical, you made it happen. Fantastic!

  236. 236 Angie

    This made my day.

    Thanks so much for what you’re doing!

  237. 237 Nerupe

    That was incredible, it made my day, thank you.

  238. 238 Michelle

    What’s with all the tight-assed literalists grumping about “oh well it’s not reeeeeally IMPROV, now is it?” Who cares? If you want to get all hair-splitty about it, the slow-mo Home Depot wasn’t improv either because they planned it to happen at a precise minute; the Best Buy infiltration wasn’t improv because it was no accident (dun dun DUN!) that everyone showed up in blue polos.

    Whatever you call it, the food court musical is still 1) a blast and 2) a most effective way to shock some innocent bystanders into a little bit of unanticipated wonder. The world needs more of both, and I’m so glad IE is on the case.

  239. 239 Kentucky Kelly

    Amazing! I loved this video. I have always wished people would just break out in song!

  240. 240 Marc

    Funny: More often than not I used to sit in a mall and think what would happen, if a performance like this broke out. In my head it’s quite similar to what the video looked like…

    I just realized: In the complete list of the Missions, food court Musical is listed with the wrong date: 2007 instead of 2008.

  241. 241 Alice

    This is wonderful! I love to see people making others happy with their talent. BRAVO! I wish there was more of this everywhere.

  242. 242 lovely

    This one has to be one of my favorites. I love how you guys made it exactly like a musical. It played out exactly like one too! Like how everyone joined in singing, everyone was dancing, and everything was resolved at the end. Brilliant. haha

  243. 243 waunnepi

    This is awesome. Appreciate the food court humor.

  244. 244 Lee Chaix

    Loved it! So glad the VSL listserv highlighted your work.

  245. 245 catnip

    can i join thats freeking awesome age 11

  246. 246 Julia

    Terrific–I’m a nurse in a small rural hospital. We could sure use some of your “work” out here in the country and on the OB floor!

  247. 247 Min

    Probably my favorite one on this whole site. Just brilliant C:

  248. 248 Rebecca

    Cutest improv ever! It really cheered up my day. Nicely done too.

  249. 249 Moose

    Having a bad day.. car blew up earlier this week.. stuck in the middle of nowhere. finally made it home. got to watch this.. thanks for the LOL =)

    The inclusion of the HDOAS “girl,” as well as the janitor and security really punched it up as opposed to just a normal mission. Props to teh mall and HDOAS!

  250. 250 blegoff

    I’m french and i see your movie i just tell you make a great job this is awesome.

    if you come in france try to make one improvisation in public place i’m sure some people will appreciate this kind of pranks.

  251. 251 Rich

    I was a fan when I lived in NY. Now you come to LA and rock out the mall I always go to! And they let you do it. So classic. I love that foodcourt!

  252. 252 Stan

    That was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen!!! It reminded me of the Musical Buffy The Vampire Slayer episode!!! I loved it I wish I could have been there. Very inspiring!!!

    ;)

  253. 253 Melonie

    Living in Minnesota, I’m surprised you didn’t try to perform this at the Mother of all Malls- Mall of America!

  254. 254 Joseph Grabko

    I demand the full version of the video as well!

  255. 255 Hank

    Awesome.
    Nice to see Hot-dog-on-a-stick back in the limelight.

  256. 256 charlotte

    hey….this was pretty amazing…baldwin hills mall is my second home…ive been going there since i was a kid because im a local girl…i wish i could have been there that day…it was pretty amazing…i probably would have started singing myself…..it was great!

  257. 257 chirodoc

    amazing…simply amazing. I love it. Brilliant. Keep up the awesomely wicked work. Wish I could have been there!!!

  258. 258 Yubi Shines

    Oh god! This was posted the day after my birthday! Best present ever!

    I hope you’ll do variations of the real-life musical in the future, in different public locations. It’s too hilarious not to.

  259. 259 Ron Young

    That is absolutely amazing. I want in!!! Wow!!! How much fun could that have been!!!!

  260. 260 Raphaelle

    Hi, I’m French, so sorry for my ” bad english ”
    I think what you do is very good, and when I saw the video : I loved, it was too fun to see people stop to move. Moreover, your idea is very creative.I hope i don’t speak very bad…

    All the best.

    PS : I Loved U.S.A, you’re so lucky to live in.

    Kiss. Raphaelle who loved what you do.

  261. 261 Lauren

    Those vidoes are amazing. Great job!!

  262. 262 TomL

    One of the funniest videos I’ve seen in a long time. I’ve e-mailed the URL to almost everyone I know, because this is much too good not to share. It has brightened up lots of lives.

    Do more missions!

  263. 263 Vishwas

    Great work guys, just had to come and post my wishes

  264. 264 mara

    you guys did it again !! you’re awesome !!!

    ‘NY

  265. 265 Jay

    I love it. If anyone wants to watch some more musicals improv search for chasers - if life were a musical

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTPcSUtFvoE

  266. 266 Gaetan

    Wonderful ! I like this video. It’s very hilarious.

  267. 267 joe

    its inspiring :) keep it up (y)

  268. 268 Louis

    Marvellous. More please!!

  269. 269 Con

    I want to see the full video.

  270. 270 Ricardo

    Ta la raja!!
    me encantan sus trabajos…

    Demasiado bueno.
    Los felicito!

  271. 271 JesusRules101

    That was hysterical my church pastor and his wife told me about it! We are working on improv in our Xpress Drama Ministries Group at our wonderful church, First Assembly Of God!!

    Thanks!! It was so funny!!

  272. 272 Brian Lewis-Beevers

    I have dreamed about doing something like this… how can I connect with you in San Diego!

    This was the primo of all! Loved it! You guys make this world worth living in… no kidding!

  273. 273 Bailey

    the skate boarder dude in this video is hott!

    oh yeah…this is pure genius!

  274. 274 csp

    I really enjoyed this… but I must nitpick on the description of the location as in the ‘middle of downtown’. Although racially diverse, this area is at least as close to the Westside as it is to Downtown (which means a very specific place here). It should more properly be called Southwest LA. Anyway props to the mall and HTOAS for allowing it!

  275. 275 PaulieB

    Awesome.

  276. 276 Shawn

    Marcelo Teson
    Mar 10th, 2008 at 2:09 pm

    I’m not sure, but the guy at the end who says it’s the “singingest janitor I’ve ever seen” looks a LOT like Chester Whitmore,

    Yes, that is most definitely Chester Whitmore. With all the video and stage spoofs he does at Herrang, I just assumed he was in on it. This is by far my most favorite IE to date.

  277. 277 Doug

    Yeah, the full video would be great. Also, I don’t know how you guys feel about tributes or anything, but is it cool if a couple of my friends and I try to recreate some of this stuff? We live in Ohio which is insanely boring and could totally pull this off without many people knowing what was going on.

  278. 278 Joe

    Well done!! Props probably one of the best… totally loved how the mall and hot dog stand joined in.. harsh free advertising for them!!

  279. 279 ociana

    How fun! I would have loved to have been there.

  280. 280 Chris

    ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! If you guys ever do stuff like this in Australia, I am so in!

  281. 281 Andrew

    That man at the end looked a lot like an aged Chris Rock. Sounded like him too.

  282. 282 Tom

    Yep - the guy at the end was Chester Whitmore! I want to know if he was in on it.

  283. 283 Andy

    very very nice, loved it

  284. 284 Nancy M

    WOW!! I have always wanted this to happen!!!
    Why can’t real life be a musical?!

  285. 285 ayee

    amazing. thats really all i can say.
    loveddddd it.

  286. 286 TomeL

    “Brilliant” doesn’t begin to express my admiration for your work.

    I teach a university business writing class. You can imagine the heavy seriousness that pervades the class.

    So, in our computer classroom, I brought up “Food Court Musical.” Everyone laughed. Everyone loved it.

    All of a sudden students found that they can laugh and at the same time they discover that they can write, they can argue.

    My thanks for your help in defrosting young people who are so focused on careers that they forget to laugh at themselves and the world around them!

  287. 287 Improv Everywhere Rocks

    this video is the best ever. you should get your own t.v. show :)

  288. 288 Bekah

    Ok…. I am a HUGE musical fan! I just wanted to say that… DANG!!!! I love it! I can totally imagine going to a Broadway musical and seeing this number! Well done!

  289. 289 Gary

    This video is ruining my life. I can’t stop watching it!

    Great job!!!! Here’s another request for the full video.

  290. 290 Chefparrothead

    hey gys and gas… I loved the fucking food court musical.. Im a chef and I am going to forward this on to all y chef friends and everyone in the biz I know.. I think its a great idea,,,keep up the good work… I also loved the “NO pants” Video, just wish there were more shot of the ot gals in their panties WOW… what a day off this is turning out to be….keep up the good wor… I hope their is more to come….

  291. 291 Tom

    Where are the full video i con’t find it
    would be great to see the skateboardpunks

  292. 292 Steve H

    It is so refreshing that in today’s world of wars, terrorism, economic catastrophes, and such, that there are actually groups of people who live life just to entertain and bring joy to us all. A nice reminder that there is much more “good” in this world than people think. We need more random acts of this type — bravo Improv-ers!

  293. 293 Leah

    I’ll bet I’m one of the few who had tears at this. (Now can I get a napkin please) When I was in High School and living in a terrible family a friend and I actually acted like we were in a musical often. We would dance and sing our way down the hall etc. I wanted life to be like a musical. Your show brought my dream to life and it touched me. Wonderfully done.

    I think the idea calling it Improv is that it is meant to look like it was spontaneous improv. This is what the unsuspecting audience would think, at least at first.

  294. 294 YOYOBOX

    THAT WAS SOME OF THE BEST STUFF I’VE EVER SEEN. KEEP IT UP

  295. 295 Lynn B

    I AGREE!!! This is refreshing!! And good food for any soul…
    Way To Go!!!

  296. 296 Pocket mouse

    The drama teacher at my school wants to do something like this. We just finished our performance of High School Musical, and she wants the cast to perform ‘Stick to the Status Quo’ during lunch. She gave us the food court musical to show us what it will be like. This is awesome. Keep on rocking, Improveverywhere!

  297. 297 wert356u

    that was so cool!! kinda scary if i were really in that food court!

  298. 298 Jon

    That was awesome guys. Well done!

  299. 299 Chepe

    The guy makes a good point that this is not really improv - it’s faux improv, but it works, so why ruin it?

    I’d be interested in seeing the parts that were cut from the final video.

  300. 300 Eric Li

    THis is really really awesome!

  301. 301 Russ

    I’ve watched this repeatedly and its still funny! Would love to see the whole video. Is there a way to buy the mp3 file? The site link to Amazon/iTunes doesn’t work.

  302. 302 Agent Spontaneouslydances

    I remember when I first watched this video, the part where security came onto the scene I was grinning my head off and thinking, “Oh here it comes…” and was getting ready to hear him sing his part. Quite frankly your videos have made my day (Which I might add has hardly started.)!

  303. 303 JoyJuice

    This is excellent!! I laughed SO hard! GREAT JOB!!!!

  304. 304 Jackie Rosen

    I’m a professional flutist and a public school music teacher in Calif. (we have 1 more year of music, then the budget’s cut again). Sure wish my students could see this, so they know what’s possible, etc.

    I did something similar in a Carmel, Calif. restaurant/bookshop with an opera called The Face on the Barroom Floor by Steve Tosh years ago, and it was pretty funny/weird.

    Jacqueline Rosen, flutist

  305. 305 Carissa

    This is beautiful. Completely inspirational. It made my day!! :P

  306. 306 mio

    this was the funniest thing ive ever seen. i wouldve loved to witness it on my own. this was great!

  307. 307 Benedik

    MORE, MORE, MORE of that

  308. 308 Lucy

    really awesome

  309. 309 yaz
  310. 310 Ashton

    This is definitely one of my FAVORITE missions ever!!! You should come to my (really boring and quiet) town and do it!

  311. 311 Benjiman Rossan

    You should put a download link for the full video, and see if you can find sheet music. That was awesome. I fell for the security, but when she asked for napkins you could tell he was an actor. Keep it up!

  312. 312 Lauren

    please do this at Sunrise Mall in Massapequa on Long Island, NY… you would DEFINITELY get an aaamazing response… better than those people who couldn’t even find it funny!

  313. 313 Victor Shepherd

    I would have loved to have seen it, and would love to be in one of your missions

  314. 314 miconian

    I think it’s too bad that the whole story revolved around getting a napkin. The message that comes across is that these people with their banal jobs have nothing better to worry about than cleaning things up.

  315. 315 liz

    Omg I am in love with you guys that right there was the highlight of my day. Hilarious =) Some to Toronto.

  316. 316 Planty

    Absoutely freaking hilarious!!

  317. 317 Peter

    This is my favoritist internet vid. I’ve watched it 10+ times and love it each time. Here’s a pledge of $5 to see the full version. You guys are great, keep up the awesome work!

  318. 318 Stranger in a Strange Land (USA)

    What country did this take place in? I know they were speaking English, but it didn’t look like America or England. You know, two primarily white countries (or at least were), but there weren’t any white people in the food court. So, it’s hard to tell. Of course, I get the same feeling walking downtown in my American suburb.
    Yay, minority status!

  319. 319 julianne

    hahahaha.
    i love this one
    but now every time im in a food court ill be disappointed when something like this doesnt happen.
    ):
    <3!

  320. 320 Needle In The Groove - Tommy

    Brilliant!!!

    Well Arranged. Keep up the great work.

    You have talent.

  321. 321 Maj

    Love this Foodcourt Musical! Amazing! Bravo!

  322. 322 Kong Klas

    Fantastic! I LOVE it! Forwarding to everyone I know, made my day - and probably everyone else as well;)

  323. 323 Lauren

    This might be my favorite mission so far…nice job.

  324. 324 M&M

    This mission was great! I laughed so hard tears tears came to my eyes!

  325. 325 shopkeeper

    Photoshopped-oh yea! Definitaly photoshopped-without a doubt-photoshopped!

  326. 326 kat

    this is one of my favorite missions <333
    i laughed so hard when the janitor came out!

  327. 327 Ignatius

    Have to love the copycats. I didn’t see anything attributing ImprovEverywhere for the idea.

    http://frinko.com/unexpected-performance.html

    Boo-urns on them.

  328. 328 Thomas

    This was the best performance of “Improv Everywhere”! I’d like to see more of these!
    Greatings from Austria!

  329. 329 Mårten Woxberg

    Was that Chester A. Whithmore I saw in the end? Did he coreograph the dancing part?

  330. 330 Anna

    Awesome!

  331. 331 Mike

    I lauged so hard i cried. Keep this up, we need more of this! Maybe a verison on the Chicago “EL” could be next?

  332. 332 Anastacia

    isn’t that Usher throwing the napkin?

  333. 333 J

    This one is the best! You need to do more musicals, they are so full of life! :)

  334. 334 Dirk Gardner

    That was awesome! Thank you for sharing.

  335. 335 Marie

    This is my favorite “mission” that you all have done (the other being the “frozen” one), but I was wondering if we could view the full musical? I think it would be nice to see everyone who was involved.

  336. 336 SergeantBarbosa

    Very, very well done. I’m sure you caught everyone off guard. Yes, I too, figured the game was up when the security guard appeared. A well executed misdirect.

  337. 337 rete

    you said mission accomplished at the end. Do you ever have missions not acomplished? have any missions gone gravely wrong?

  338. 338 Kenshiro

    Awesome.
    Greetings from Argentina.
    Keep’em coming!

  339. 339 Chloe

    awsome

  340. 340 Jenny

    One of my favorite Improv Everywhere acts; like everyone else is saying (hint hint), a full version would be awesome!

  341. 341 betty

    hey improve everywhere,
    i think that food court musical is soo kewl!! i luvv the song and how they perfomed the improve skit…i rocked :]
    ~betty~

  342. 342 Ricardo

    Hi there i’am portuguese and i love your work.
    This week i saw i week version of your Food Court Musical in my country, but if i understand wrigth the Portuguese Entreprise Renova Papper Tisues didn’t pay you anything for your excelent ideia, that is true, sorry for my poor english write.

    Anyone interest on this can see the two videos, the Original from Improv Everywhere and the Copy, which they claim to be Guerilla Marketing from Renova Papper Tissues.

    http://criadesign.blogs.sapo.pt/1105.html

  343. 343 Big Jess

    Hey!! I love the food court musical, when i watched it for the first time i fell in love with the idea. I’m actually thinking about doing something simular as my final piece for my university degree. YOU ARE MY IDEA!! Any chance you guys wanna take a holiday to Oxford England and help me out? I have to perform it in March, so i have a while to get organising!
    I’m so excited! You guys rule!

  344. 344 Matt

    I somehow stumbled upon this awesome website through youtube and the Frozen Central video. I’m glad I did, these are all so random but hilarious!

  345. 345 noclaf

    Hey! I know the demon who did this! somebody call Joss Whedon quick!

  346. 346 Sam

    Hmmm I need a phrase hmmm holy crab apples no been saying that for months holy cats hmm new but not good anough O I KNOW HOLY HIGHSCHOOL MUSICAL AND FRIES that was sooooooooooooo freaking funny I CANT WAIT TO TELL MY FRIENDS AT YOUTH GROUP ABOUT THIS LOL im 13 and in 8th grade along with my youth group friends (4 including me) If your ever in need of 4 8th graders in the annapolis maryland area were your group theres 3 girls and one boy in our group and we love this kinda thing HOLY HIGHSCHOOL MUSICAL AND FRIES I LOVE YOU GUYS

  347. 347 Dan

    Any possibility of seeing the full uncut version of the video?

  348. 348 Agent Wimpy

    WOW! Just got DSL so I am looking at the vidios!

    Julie Brister tossing a baby? Classic!

  349. 349 hannah

    the black guy in teh brown shirt at the end who said yes you can have a napkin
    who is he? is he a random guy
    cause im so sure i saw him on tv

  350. 350 hannah b

    i have seen this so many times i have it basically memorized
    how could someone get involved with something like this ?
    like in the next improv everywhere prank

  351. 351 Pscitz

    Agent Campbell has a great voice and I really liked the Janitor, too.

    IE is awesome, I wish I had the guts/ideas to start something like that where I live.

  352. 352 Dan

    Hannah, use the “Mailing List” tab at the top of the page, and join the list to get notices about upcoming missions.

  353. 353 Charles Knickerbocker

    Way too cool! Thanks for giving me joy, inspiration and motivation.

  354. 354 Jack Hoff

    Wow! Just, Wow! Incredible! I want to find that mall just to eat at their food court…

  355. 355 Michelle Smit

    this is amazing.. i taught improv for 3 years… we did something like this in the annapolis mall!!! yes i live in maryland.. 20 min from baltimore 45 from D.C. can u imagine!??? ANNAPOLIS AS WELL!??? this is creative, with the napkin, plain and simple, wonderful job!

  356. 356 Kevin

    Loved that guy at the end. Hey, the Janitor is still cleaining up!

  357. 357 Ian Reents

    Please… PLEASE, do another one of these spontaneous musicals!

  358. 358 Clara

    OH MY GOD ! I wish I was here… I’d like so much to see and to take part in such events… I’m french, does anybody know if there is this kind of association in France ?

    Congratulations, once more. Keep on doing, and have fun !

    Clara

  359. 359 Sophia

    Omg.
    I just watched that randomly with my friend
    I’ve never laughed so hard
    KUDOS!

  360. 360 Cecilia

    That was great!

  361. 361 cathy doyle

    Your work warms the heart of an old social activist. I am near despaired of the challenge of who will continue the message of stop, look, and listen! Who else but the overburdened performer/entertainer/waiter&waitresses “waiting” for their breaks/iconoclasts? You give more than you know. I hope you will be as delighted with your successors as I am with you, but that will be up to you.
    I have to tell you that what you do has an impact beyond the wildest dreams of any politician because they fail to engage their audience. Please do what you do and if you do it with passion you will inspire your successors. BRAVO for your heart and engagement with the human condition.

  362. 362 YoJeffrey

    This stuff should be on TV !! Reminds me so much of the Jamie Kennedy Experiment !! Funny Stuff fer REAL !!! lmao

  363. 363 larry509

    Nice show! That was hilarious!

  364. 364 Nat

    I just found your site, totally cool. I also showed this video to my 6 year old. He won’t stop singing Lemonade. We both thought it was great. Keep up the good work.

  365. 365 Josh

    LOL that was amazing! How many people would have just been like what the hell.. it was awesome! I wanna do that!

  366. 366 Michelle

    My sister told me to check out this website. I absolutely love it! Great ideas guys! And very entertaining! Keep the experiments coming :)

  367. 367 Sixtus

    I loved it, nice work guys!

  368. 368 Singerchic

    omg i love this one its my favorite out of all your videos. I liked the camera shots your other videos dont have as good of camera placeing but this one was great……Love your work keep it up =]

  369. 369 KMarlin

    Bravo! Incredibly creative and brilliantly executed! I used to love the old Prangstgrup material; I must say you’ve done them proud!

  370. 370 Juliette

    This is one of my favorite ones that you guys do… so funny!! ^_^

  371. 371 julia

    this is my fave … it’s so funny

    the girl from 3:00 looks like michelle from Destiny’s child

  372. 372 Jono

    That was the best video I have ever seen. wow!! You guys rock!

  373. 373 Meggie

    omg, i swear that’s the best thing EVER! i totally wish i had been able to see that live!

  374. 374 Jazzmin

    Wow, this is so incredible. I can watch this over and over again and still be amused. :D

  375. 375 Nulono

    We can haz full vid plz?

  376. 376 Michael B.

    Awesome! Great idea. Kudos to you and all. One really minor nitpick: since you did rehearse, it was not, technically, an “Improv” event. But still, that’s really minor. My hat’s off to you folks, and the mall management, and Hot Dog on a Stick as well. Bravo!!!!

  377. 377 Polish boy from England

    This is the most beautirful thing I’ve ever seen. Keep on doing the world better and better. Big respect for everyone engaged in this project !!! :))))

  378. 378 Sky

    :D I always wondered what would happen if life were like high school musical… now I just need to figure out how to get it done in our school cafeteria, and it’s all good! Amazing work, anyway.

  379. 379 Cristina Laird

    That was really awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!Loved the Frozen Central station.
    Would love to do something like that in Barcelona, Spain.
    How can we get in touch with you guys!!!!!!!
    Have just seen the interview in “La Vanguardi” of Charlie!!
    I am a dancer and I could get a lot of people to do that here!!!!

  380. 380 Brittney

    You guys are amazing. i can’t get enough of this stuff.
    I love the janitor part. I think half the people trying to eat nearly chocked. lol
    I should try doing that at school. Or at least propose it to the acting class they would love it. lolololololol

  381. 381 Alison

    I would love to participate in a mission like this. I am 13 year old so its hard to come across a chance to participate in such a awesome mission.

    This was brilliant

  382. 382 SilverLilacs

    What r the lyrics! AWESOME!

  383. 383 SSA

    I’ve shown this to dozens of people and keep coming back to it. I just love it, love it!

  384. 384 Chase R.

    This has to be classified as awesome. I would love an annual or encore or something, preferrably near San Diego. You should do some missions in SD.

  385. 385 rachelle

    i rly like this. my sister and i would crack up if we saw something like this random musical unfortunatly we live in indiana.

  386. 386 Shel

    This made my day! I laughed for around 20 minutes even after watching the end. I have been wanting to attempt this at my school with a group of kids, and randomly break out into song during lunch. It has inspired me to ask my theater teacher if we can do this once in a local mall. It would be incredibly random and add some excitement to our mall. This is genius!

  387. 387 Ray

    So any word on the full video for this? Either through youtube, or on a ftp site?

  388. 388 Aaron

    Awesome awesome awesome….I had to make reference to you guys on my blog.

    Awesome awesome awesome again. Do these happen in the UK?

  389. 389 Paul Erland

    oh Guys… this is freaking awesome!!!
    I wonder if you have crews in different cities all over the country to do this… I’ll be very glad to be part of it… no matter how crazy is this… Actually I’m from Utah… here the people is very… extremely conservative, so some prank like those will have a great impact in here… waiting to hear about you guys!!!

  390. 390 Alana

    haha, my favorite part was the janitor’s part. It just made me laugh so hard when he started singing in the video. I wish I was there when it happened. xD

  391. 391 Damien

    HI everyone.Could someone help me ? I have this f**** song stuck in my head since yesterday. when i first discovered the video, i watched it at least 10 times in a row. Now this music is playing again and again whatever i’m doing i hear it…. I even dreamt about it last night. Do you guys have a trick to get that thing out of my head ?

  392. 392 Charlie Todd

    @Damien,

    The week we rehearsed and performed this I had the song stuck in my head each night for hours. It’s a cruel song.

  393. 393 Mandie

    This. Is. Pure. Genius.

    I loved it from beginning to end! I love stuff like this. It reminded me of the silliness of the Buffy musical (”they got the MUSTARD OUT!”) hehehe.

    Genius.

  394. 394 Bob Penn

    Absolutely brilliant. You are living out my dreams!!!

  395. 395 Steffanie Chambers

    Omg! This was one of the most creative musicals I’ve ever seen! My friend showed me this webtsite and I showed this particular one to my friends. Awesome job on this! Keep up the good work! =D

    I wish we could do this sort of thing at my mall! =P

  396. 396 George

    …..Legendary.

  397. 397 Pops

    Was given your link by a friend in the USA.
    Absolutely awseome and I shall be watching evry single one.
    Don’t get nothing like that happening in the UK

  398. 398 Sara

    Tjis is one of my favorites. I wish you hadn’t cut the video, I would love to have seen the whole performance. I’ve watched it over and over and I still want more. Please post an uncut version.

  399. 399 kim

    this video made me think of food court musical all over again, if it was combined with the freezing one in grand central.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

  400. 400 Typophobic Loser :]

    That. Is. Awesome.

    That’s all I gots to say. :]

    -Xanny

  401. 401 Mark Edward

    Totally awesome. I didn’t even come close to expecting the janitor to chime in with everyone. I love you guys.

  402. 402 Sean K.

    I just now found this…May 2009. You guys have me fired up. I joined the Texas group of The Urban Prankster Network. This was AWESOME. It’s the exact reason I hate musicals…which is why I love this. GREAT job.

  403. 403 Amanda

    Thank you thank you thank you. I was utterly stressed out (it’s finals week at my college right now)- my friend sent me this link, and I literally spent an hour on your website. This is one of my favorites though- my friends and I have always contemplated about how extraordinary it would be to all of a sudden break out in a musical, though ours usually center around the library steps, or in a coffee shop. Thank you for restoring some of my faith in humanity- PLEASE CONTINUE TO PULL THESE AMAZING PERFORMANCES!! May I suggest a musical via train station? Or another public area? I look forward to seeing your future works!!!

  404. 404 eastpaw

    Awesome!

  405. 405 sophie

    this video just made my day. love the part when the security guard comes in and everyone was so worried, but when he started to sing too, i burst out laughing!!
    this is the best so far!!
    keep it up guys

  406. 406 Hugo

    What came first and who’s copying ?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgZuHlDuulk

  407. 407 Charlie Todd
  408. 408 JOy

    I ♥ this!!!!!!!! My favorite by far.

  409. 409 Rebecca

    I’m directing this in my High School cafeteria right now, and I have someone putting together some sheet music for the accompianment. If anyone needs it, I would be happy to help you out. Thanks for this wonderful idea!!!

  410. 410 md123

    thank you so so so so much for making my day and week much more light-hearted and reminding me that laughing is the best cure for everything!!! keep up the hysterical work, i wish i could be part of the group!

  411. 411 Melanie

    Hey this was on the new episode of season 5 of WEEDS this week!

  412. 412 Linda R.

    OMG. I just now saw this on my nephew’s facebook profile and immediately recognized “agent Caldwell” the singing janitor who happens to be my very competent colleague and LAWYER. I had no idea! but I HAVE seen him give some pretty good performances in court!

  413. 413 PoorOldEdgarDerby

    Never get tired of this one. Although, I only first saw it yesterday, so who knows what the future holds?

  414. 414 Jaun Millalonco

    Excellent YouTube post ! thanks for sharing. I’ll be adding your blog to my reader.
    Juan

  1. 1 Food Court Musical! | easytomiss.com
  2. 2 le club club » food court musical, Improv everywhere
  3. 3 News Station Falls For April Fool’s Prank, Turns to DMCA As Remedy
  4. 4 Tech Verdict » Blog Archive » News Station Falls For April Fool’s Prank, Turns to DMCA As Remedy

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