I wonder if for some unseen circumstances, all the bands can't play, would anybody still come forward & donate ??
truth is most of the people who donate and go to the event are interested in improv-- they are not actually there to see the bands-- most do not even know who any of the bands/performers are that participate. they are an awesome audience for the bands as they are almost "rooting" for them to be good. many have no idea that the performers are "well-known" to some. i hope that more music fans go this year. it is an interesting environment to see the bands play.
i guess you might be surprised to see how many people are excited to donate actual cash without a personal return. we collect money from the audience at second city every night from thanksgiving through christmas. people are quite generous.
the best part of it to me is that each "performance" is a one time event. we do not tape the event at all. so no dvd-- just a memory.
