Before I met Walter Znyman I was a real jerk. I was floating around Chicago, waiting tables and trying to get a record deal. But I used to do funny voices for tips and one day I delivered Wally a cup of coffee when he put his hand on mine, looked me straight in the eye and said – ‘I can open you up, kid.’And he did.
I left home the next day and haven’t seen my parents since (actually there were some issues there – but the gesture was still romantic).
I couldn’t get enough of improv. I went to class after class. I was like a junkie with a new syringe and I was smacking up all over the joint, busting a gut to get a fix.Wally said ‘Some people give it. Some people take it. But everyone wants it.’
I still don’t know what that means.
But now I’m gonna open you up, the way Wal Znyman opened me up.
Some of you guys are funny funny funny but you just don’t know it yet.
You’ll know. Once I’ve finished with you. You’ll know.