Comedian Profile: David Dritsas

Editors Note: In celebration of The 2010 ComedySportz World Championship, this week we’ll be profiling comedians from the local ComedySportz roster…

–

DAVID DRITSAS

Might have seen him in: ComedySportz, Second City, Bad Hair Sketch

Hangs his hat in: Bella Vista

Stomping Grounds: Cheltenham, PA

Pays the Bills: Semi-professional comic actor / Director of Online Development for the 24/7 Comedy Network

Projects: Currently, I am working with a startup comedy entertainment company (24/7 Comedy Network), which is launching nationally distributed comedy radio stations and a web site similar to “Funny or Die,” etc. I’ve got a top-secret improv project in the works, as well. Stay tuned.

Other Hobbies: SCUBA, graphic design, sitting my a** on a beach

Why Improv?

Improv was an avenue into performing arts for me. I didn’t take the traditional route of a theater degree. I took evening classes in acting and improv and eventually auditioned for ComedySportz. I was lucky enough to get in and it was a major training ground for me—still is. I love improv but it isn’t everything for me. I’ve done a lot of sketch comedy, been lucky enough to be hired by Second City, worked on comedic plays and I plan to do more.

With my new job I hope to be producing some new original material (video-based). While I can’t say that this material will be improv per se, improv is always a tool I have in my pocket and without it I don’t think I would be the same performer I am today. It has also allowed me to make connections that have led me to work full-time in the comedy world. Gotta love that!

–

If you know someone who you think should be profiled, we’d love to hear about them.

Don Montrey welcomes son

Join us in congratulating local comedian DON MONTREY (Die Actor Die, ComedySportz, Bad Hair) and his wife Kathleen on the birth of their new son, Liam Thomas Montrey. Don and Kathleen already have a 2 year-old daughter, Carlin. Liam was born yesterday at 4:06PM and is reportedly adorable.

PHIT at the Shubin

This week PHIT takes residence at the Shubin Theater for its monthly run of shows. Featured in Feb will be:

Monday, Feb 2
8:00PM – The Comic vs Audience Comedy Show – $5

Wednesday, Feb 4
8:00PM – “Why Am I Not Famous?” with host Kent Haines – $5
10:00PM – Guilty Pleasures with host Brendan Kennedy – $5

Thursday, Feb 5
8:00PM – Improv Comedy, PhD – Lighted Fools + Fletcher – $5
10:00PM – CAGEMATCH: Angry People Building Things vs Bad Hair – $5

Friday, Feb 6
8:00PM – Everything Must Go + Statues of Liberty + the Feeko Bros – $10
10:00PM – Industrial + the Moops + 4 Track – $10

Saturday, Feb 7
8:00PM – Industrial + the Moops – $10
10:00PM – Everything Must Go + the Feeko Bros – $10

PHIT @ THE SHUBIN
407 Bainbridge St
Shows run Feb 2 – 7
Tickets and additional information

A Farewell to Bad Hair Sketch Comedy

This Thursday when the members of Bad Hair take the stage, it may only be their 4th time playing this annual show, but it will be their final night in a long line of laughs.

The sketch comedy group has been a steady fixture on the local scene for many years, having performed at the Adrienne, Trocadero, Painted Bride, the Khyber, World Cafe Live and many other venues throughout the city. They’ve launched many successful runs of Fringetastic Sketchtacular for the Philly Fringe and were most recently seen at the Philly SketchFest.

Thursday night will be presented as Best Of… featuring a selection memorable favorites from past shows.

A FAREWELL TO BAD HAIR SKETCH COMEDY
Thursday, Jan 29th @ 9PM | $20
Theatre N @ Nemours | 11th & Tatnall Sts, Wilmington, DE

Philly Sketchfest ’08 This Weekend!

This weekend marks a special first in Philadelphia’s alt-comedy scene. Dave Terruso, Matt Lally & Ben Maher have come together to produce Philadelphia’s first ever Philly Sketchfest, running this Friday and Saturday at the Painted Bride.

Over the last year, events like Die Actor Die and Bedtime Stories have created not only awesome comedy, but also some excited networking between the city’s sketch comedians. The result is a culmination of talent featuring eight groups taking the stage in what promises to be two nights of exciting hilarity.

The event is hosted by comic Chip Chantry (Ministry of Secret Jokes) and features sketch groups Animosity Pierre, Bad Hair, the Gentleman’s Rotary Auxiliary, Meg & Rob, Rowan & Hastings, Secret Pants, the Sixth Borough and the Waitstaff.

Philly Sketchfest ’08
Fri, 6/6 @ 9PM | Sat, 6/7 @ 8PM & 10:30PM
Painted Bride Arts Center | 230 Vine St
Tickets: $15-$25

Sketch Shows at the Fringe Festival

In the last post, we looked at improv shows coming up during the Fringe Festival. Now let’s see what we’ve got to look forward to in the realm of sketch comedy…

Bad Hair: Fringetastic Sketchtacular 4

Bad Hair returns to the Fringe with its fourth excursion into sketch, drugs, and rock and roll! Combining live sketches, video, original music, and magic-ocity, this popular Fringe favorite is guaranteed to blowerate your mindbag! “Don’t let the name fool you. There is nothing BAD about this group!” – Philadelphia City Paper

Playground at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street | $10
9/6, 9/7, 9/13 & 9/14 @ 9:00pm
9/9 @ 2:00pm

________________________________________

IdRatherBeHere: Wawapalooza

They say write what you know. So, Wawapalooza is a comedy show straight outta the South Jersey suburbs parodying Wawa, Eagles fans, road rage, strip mall customer service, and “borderline” behavior. Half SNL and half Cherry Hill Mall, this debut satire from IdRatherBeHere Productions combines live sketches, videos, and stand-up.

Red Room at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S 8^th Street | $10
8/31 @ 7:00pm & 9/2 @ 3:00pm

________________________________________

The Sixth Borough: Adults

The prospects of growing up are intimidating and painful. This also makes for some great comedy. Sketch comedy group The Sixth Borough, hot off their first show which satirized life here in the City of Brotherly Love, will now tackle the question of what it means to be an adult.

Connie’s Ric Rac, 1132 S. Ninth Street | $10
9/6, 9/7, 9/14 & 9/15 @ 9:00pm
9/8 @ 8:00pm & 10:00pm

________________________________________

The Waitstaff: Served the Way You Like It

Perhaps you’ve heard of them but never seen them. Perhaps you’ve seen them but never heard of them. The Waitstaff returns with a brand new, all new, 100% not old sketch comedy show for people with special needs just like you. Come get it served the way you like it.

Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Street | $15
8/31, 9/1, 9/5, 9/6, 9/7 & 9/8 @ 8:00pm