Many moons ago, there was no laughter. It wasn’t allowed. The lawgivers were a stern bunch that took none of your guff. Women wore aprons, men wore pants, and that’s the way they wanted it. It was a dark time in the history of mankind.

Then, one day, a small group of theater owners and friends said “Hey, let’s put on a show!” They had no script. They had no costumes. All they had were a stage and a dream! From that humble beginning, sprang the improvisational comedy troupe “Quick Wits” here at OBT.

Every week, more and more humans, eager to laugh and guffaw, followed these Pied Pipers of comedy as they did the unthinkable… for each and every show, they would write, direct, and perform scenes based solely on the suggestions of their growing audience.

Now, some one-hundred-eighty-four years later, the historic Off Broadway Theatre continues the tradition started lo those many years ago. Each week presenting the finest improvisational comedy on the very stage where it all started.

In the year 2001AD, the original “Quick Wits” changed the name of their hearty band to “Laughing Stock.” (Plus, it was easier to make the name "Laughing Stock®" a legally registered trademark).

Many of the original performers still take to the OBT stage. They, along with a few new faces (because apparently everyone has their own), stand against those who would keep you from laughter.

You must laugh. You will laugh!