Laura Hall
Encyclopedia
Laura Hall is an American
musician from Chicago
. She is best known for her role as band leader / pianist on the American version of the improvisational comedy television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?
.
, Illinois
, working as a pianist for various theater and improvisational companies including The Second City
and the Improv Institute
.
include music, and there have been a number of musicians during the run of the show. On the original BBC Radio
series, the music was provided by Colin Sell
, but when the show migrated to Channel 4
, Richard Vranch
took over the job. Richard Vranch did not move with the show to the US; in fact, during the final series of the UK show which was filmed in America, Hall made her first appearance on the show. She appeared on six of the UK series' episodes.
Hall continued as musician in the first season of the US show on her own, but beginning in the second season, additional musicians were added to attempt to bolster that section of the show. Often joining Hall was multi-instrumentalist Linda Taylor, and on occasion other musicians (such as horn players) were added; additional performers included Anna Wanselius, Cece Worral-Rubin, Anne King, and Candy Girard. Hall performed throughout the eight seasons of the US series.
Hall made a notable mistake during the US show's 100th episode when Wayne Brady
was singing in the style of The Village People to an audience member named Howard. Brady sang to the tune of "Y.M.C.A." but accidentally spelled the guest's name H-o-r-w-a-r-d. This amused Hall to such a point that she accidentally pressed a "speed up" button on her piano, causing much hilarity and chaos. During this incident, Hall spoke her only line on the show. When asked by Drew Carey
what happened, she replied "Um, it's hard to explain. I'm so sorry."
Hall has also participated in similar projects with Drew Carey
, such as Drew Carey's Green Screen Show
and Drew Carey and the Improv Allstars. She appeared in two episodes of Carey's sitcom, The Drew Carey Show
.
worship music. Her band is The Sweet Potatoes.
Laura performs at churches and conferences in the US. She has led the music at Craig Springs Christian Camp's "Gap Camp". Designed for 18 to 24-year-olds, the camp is sponsored by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
and is held each spring in Virginia
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. She is best known for her role as band leader / pianist on the American version of the improvisational comedy television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series)
Whose Line is it Anyway? is a comedy improv show hosted by Drew Carey on ABC that ran from August 5, 1998 to September 4, 2004, and subsequently on ABC Family since 2005...
.
Career
Hall began her musical career in her hometown ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, working as a pianist for various theater and improvisational companies including The Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
and the Improv Institute
Improv Institute
The Improv Institute was a improvisational comedy company in Chicago from 1984 until 1994. The mainstage show was improvised following audience suggestions. The troupe had two storefront-theaters, both on West Belmont Avenue on Chicago's North side, first at 2939 W. Belmont , and later at 2319 W...
.
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Many of the sketches on Whose Line Is It Anyway?Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a short-form improvisational comedy TV show. Originally a British radio programme, it moved to television in 1988 as a series made for the UK's Channel 4, for a 10 series run...
include music, and there have been a number of musicians during the run of the show. On the original BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
series, the music was provided by Colin Sell
Colin Sell
Colin Sell is a British pianist who has appeared on the radio panel games Whose Line Is It Anyway? and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. He has become famous mostly for his long service on the latter show, where he is frequently the butt of the host's jokes. He is the Head of Music at East 15 Acting...
, but when the show migrated to Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
, Richard Vranch
Richard Vranch
Richard Leslie Vranch is a British comedian, actor and musician.Vranch improvises comedy on stage with the Comedy Store Players every Wednesday and Sunday at The Comedy Store in London. He has voiced British Airways TV and radio commercials since 2003, and he narrates TV documentaries...
took over the job. Richard Vranch did not move with the show to the US; in fact, during the final series of the UK show which was filmed in America, Hall made her first appearance on the show. She appeared on six of the UK series' episodes.
Hall continued as musician in the first season of the US show on her own, but beginning in the second season, additional musicians were added to attempt to bolster that section of the show. Often joining Hall was multi-instrumentalist Linda Taylor, and on occasion other musicians (such as horn players) were added; additional performers included Anna Wanselius, Cece Worral-Rubin, Anne King, and Candy Girard. Hall performed throughout the eight seasons of the US series.
Hall made a notable mistake during the US show's 100th episode when Wayne Brady
Wayne Brady
Wayne Alphonso Brady is an actor, singer, comedian and television personality, known for his work as a regular on the American version of the improvisational comedy television series Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and as the host of the daytime talk show The Wayne Brady Show...
was singing in the style of The Village People to an audience member named Howard. Brady sang to the tune of "Y.M.C.A." but accidentally spelled the guest's name H-o-r-w-a-r-d. This amused Hall to such a point that she accidentally pressed a "speed up" button on her piano, causing much hilarity and chaos. During this incident, Hall spoke her only line on the show. When asked by Drew Carey
Drew Carey
Drew Allison Carey is an American actor, singer, comedian, photographer, sports executive, and game show host. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and making a name for himself in stand-up comedy, Carey eventually gained popularity starring on his own sitcom, The Drew Carey Show, and serving as...
what happened, she replied "Um, it's hard to explain. I'm so sorry."
Hall has also participated in similar projects with Drew Carey
Drew Carey
Drew Allison Carey is an American actor, singer, comedian, photographer, sports executive, and game show host. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and making a name for himself in stand-up comedy, Carey eventually gained popularity starring on his own sitcom, The Drew Carey Show, and serving as...
, such as Drew Carey's Green Screen Show
Drew Carey's Green Screen Show
Drew Carey's Green Screen Show is an improvisational comedy television series that aired in the fall of 2004 on The WB Television Network, and the fall of 2005 on Comedy Central. The show was hosted by Drew Carey, and was somewhat a follow-up to the show he formerly hosted, Whose Line Is It Anyway?...
and Drew Carey and the Improv Allstars. She appeared in two episodes of Carey's sitcom, The Drew Carey Show
The Drew Carey Show
The Drew Carey Show is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1995 to 2004. The show was set in Cleveland, Ohio, and revolved around the retail office and home life of "everyman" Drew Carey, a fictionalized version of the actor....
.
Other pursuits
Hall has recorded a number of children's records as well as Christian rockChristian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
worship music. Her band is The Sweet Potatoes.
Laura performs at churches and conferences in the US. She has led the music at Craig Springs Christian Camp's "Gap Camp". Designed for 18 to 24-year-olds, the camp is sponsored by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church is a Mainline Protestant denomination in North America. It is often referred to as The Christian Church, The Disciples of Christ, or more simply as The Disciples...
and is held each spring in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
Personal life
Laura Hall is married to Rick Hall who was formerly a Second City mainstage actor. They have two children. Laura and Rick Hall continue performing together.Albums
- The Sweet Potatoes as The Sweet Potatoes (2010) [Sister Trudy's Music 884501359955]
- All in God’s Good Time (2008) [Sister Trudy's Music 884501012195] - features guitar work by Linda Taylor
- A Woman of Faith (2006) [Sister Trudy's Music 837101273275]
- I See A Tiger / Come Join the Parade (1999, 2001) [Sister Trudy's Music 659057068121]
Other contributions
- Composer, "Slice of Pie" (comedy short)
- Composer, Swimming in Auschwitz (2007)
- Co-composer, Look At Me (with Luke Hannington)
- Co-composer, Anatomy of a Breakup (with Linda Taylor)
- Composer, Tell Me A Story series of CDs [Friedman & Danziger]
- Composer, The Wheels on the Bus children’s videos series starring Roger DaltreyRoger DaltreyRoger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
External links
- Official website
- The Sweet Potatoes, Hall's band