One great joy of long-form improv is watching a team of seasoned performers read and feed off each other on a near-clairvoyant level. Each member of Shrieking Harpies (Lizzie Gardner, Taj Ruler, and Hannah Wydeven, accompanied by pianist Justin Nellis) clearly knows and trusts her partners deeply, a necessity when you're creating a mini-opera from scratch. The Harpies' musical adventures delve into plenty of bizarre scenarios — Saturday's performance of "Songs of MN Summer" centered on a rage-filled chef, a spunky orphan, and several sets of sentient cookware — but with a dose of warmth, heart, and three-part harmony that sets them apart from the crowd. (8:30 p.m. Mon., 7 p.m. Wed., 4 p.m. Fri. Aug. 11, 5:30 p.m. Sun. Aug. 13, Bryant-Lake Bowl, 810 W. Lake St., Mpls.)
IRA Brooker
