The Garret

Aug 1, 1974
Stanley Eichelbaum of the SF Examiner
The Garret -- charming improvisational revue
A beguiling new improvisational troupe started up last night at the Montgomery Playhouse in a satirical revue called "The Garret". Since they've taken over the committee's former home, I can't help admiring their courage. But they're surprisingly good and manifest as much talent as the Committee did in their first show.
The idea is simply to assemble a play, partly set and partly improvised about changing behavioral patterns from childhood to old age.
It's performed by a very engaging, quite young and admirably polished cast of seven. Jim Diederich and Denise Schultz more or less carry the ball, since they're coupled off more often than the others in sketches that advance them from school age to maturity.

August 2, 1974
Paine Knickerbocker of the San Francisco Chronicle
Six Talented Improvisors
…The occupations of the six are suggested by the audience. On opening night, these included a hooker, a junkie, a welder, a woman lawyer, and a computer operator. They are revealed at a class reunion which opens the second half.
The players work superbly together at some moments, even anticipating what one another will do. Jim Diederich, one of the busiest of the group, is very lively, and is often paired with the vigorous Denise Schultz.

August 2, 1974
Barbara Bladen of The Times
The Garret has Longlasting Charm
Every night would then produce a new set of formulae and these attractive coupled and experienced improvisational players are up to the pace and demands of keeping the show bright, sparkling and witty. A few topical references creep into the material, conditioned by suggestions from the daily newspaper headlines. So that too will change from week to week and give them further grist for fertile sophisticated rebuttals. One has the faith in their ability to meet satirical challenges, then it's onto something else that crackles with effervescent energy.
Jim Diederich and Denise Schultz come off as the quickest on the quips. They use their faces with comic mobility and seem to be entirely comfortable at any surprise suggestions the audience may throw at them.

August 12, 1974
Carlon Tanner of The Daily Californian
Gentle Comedy of The Garret
This new troupe of young performers works in a mellower and more structured style, with little of the anger and cynicism and crazy energy of their predecessors. But the Committee reached its comic zenith during the 60's, before anger had been swallowed up by cynicism and politics had gone beyond laughable.
Most of the show is amply funny and occasionally hilarious, but its best moments come early. There's a delightful little sketch about a little girl's imaginary–but very real–playmate, that is perceptive and true as well as amusing. Of course improvised comedy is the riskiest of all businesses–that's what makes it so exciting.