One of the joys of improv comedy is that the unexpected is not only expected, but encouraged. In fact, sometimes, the more the train goes off the track, the more the audience wants to throw itself in front of it. “The Armando Diaz Experiment” is that runaway train. But it runs away destroying everything in its path with such perfection, it’s no wonder this is iO Theater’s longest running show.

“The Armando Diaz Experiment” is long form improv that takes its scene cues from the monologues a cast member tells intermittently through two acts. The monologuist is not playing a character, but instead is speaking raw truth as a real person. His or her stories open the stage up for the remainder of the troupe to create the outrageous characters iO is known for aiding and abetting. The show runs Monday nights and last week’s experiment was sharp and raucous. Sticking with the train analogy, it was beautifully derailed.

Although the cast list includes several women, the show I saw was testosterone-laden. That wasn’t a hindrance to the storytelling; a dad’s new girlfriend, fresh out of the shower and still in her towel, is forced (with ease) to sleep in the son’s room because he’s scared of monsters under his bed. And so is dad; a birthday clown who sings songs about slavery on his old banjo; the secret service agent who took a break right before JFK took a bullet (or four).

While the scenes are great, the monologues could be considered the spotlight of the show. I heard honest tales of fear of spiders and sharks and the annoyance of losing a ton of weight because the monologuist had to buy a brand new wardrobe that fit his svelte shape.

Following the show, I stuck around to enjoy the absurdly cheap cans of Hamm’s Beer at the bar while a few pals and I talked about ex-girlfriends, current flames and how tasty cheap cans of Hamm’s Beer were. And in typical iO fashion, we received a curveball when the lights dimmed again and we were told a dress rehearsal was about to begin. We were more than welcome to stay, we just had to be quiet.

The rehearsal was for “The Breakfast Club.” You know, like the movie. And that’s exactly what it was; the movie, in its entirety, on stage, interspersed with 80′s pop songs the characters regretfully sang. I was going to leave after the first act, but I couldn’t turn away. Because unlike “The Armando Diaz Experience,” this show was simply a train wreck.

This post was sponsored by the Navy Pier IMAX Theatre. http://www.imax.com/chicago/