When I was 16 and performing at d.w. eye, I wanted to be Rico Bruce Wade. (Of course he wasn’t Rico Bruce Wade back then – he was Rico Rico Rico Diaz.) Rico was our improvisational genius – he was one of the founding members of Cincinnati’s Fairview Impromptu Band – and then later went on to Second City to act and direct. But in 1981, he would climb the stage at the eye – and you never knew what was going to happen. Rico and his group were doing improv in Cincinnati before people knew what improv was. It was exciting, breathtaking. And live on the spot.
And it didn’t hurt that Rico was also the sunniest, nicest guy around.
Rico continues to act, and perform stand-up and improv to this day – and will be onstage in Cincinnati performing again at the d.w. eye Reunion June 23rd at the 20th Century Theater. You don’t want to miss it.
d.w. eye 