December PHIT shows are upon us

Following their personal record-length run last month, the PHILLY IMPROV THEATER is set to kick off its December shows this week with some of your old favorites, a little reformatting of familiar formats and some great new comedy.

• Aaron Hertzog’s Hey Everybody! continues its newly minted weekly slot, surrounded by the fun usual suspects like Guilty Pleasures, The Bully Pulpit and Rant-O-Wheel… as well as new faces like TV Party! and Chip Chantry’s One Man Show, relocated from its former home at The Khyber.
• Fans can scout up and coming talent from area colleges in Comedy University, formerly known as Improv Comedy PhD, and now moved to Sundays.
• PHIT welcomes friends from afar, with Brick Penguin bringing a little DC our way and the Philly premier of Magnet’s newest house team Brick, featuring local improviser and PHIT director/instructor Amie Roe.
• Cagematch winners Six-Fisted Dynamo look to hold on to their newly claimed title against the comic stylings of Grimacchio.
• PHIT introduces Sketch Up or Shut Up’s improv step-sibling with its new instructor-hosted weekly improv jam.
• Those Hopper Brothers are back again this holiday season, this time with their Happy Magic Fun Time Show.
• And finally, house team Activity Book debuts “Metal Men” – a special run of shows featuring the alter-egos of superheroes from a failed comic book… exploring the comedy of not being so superly awesome.

The whole thing is topped off with shows from all of the house teams and sketch comedy from Camp Woods. It promises to be a jam-packed,  fun-filled couple of weeks.

Here’s the full run down…

Wednesday, December 1st
8:00PM Guilty Pleasures hosted by Brendan Kennedy – $10
9:30PM TV Party! hosted by Rob Baniewicz & Paul Triggiani – $10

Thursday, December 2nd
8:00PM Hey Everybody! hosted by Aaron Hertzog – $10
9:30PM CAGEMATCH – Six-Fisted Dynamo vs. Grimacchio – $10

Friday, December 3rd
8:00PM Activity Book Presents “Metal Men” + Asteroid! – $10
9:30PM King Friday + The Amie & Kristen Show – $10
11:00PM Sketch Up or Shut Up – FREE!

Saturday, December 4th
8:00PM Activity Book Presents “Metal Men” + Asteroid! – $10
9:30PM Camp Woods + Brick Penguin (DC) – $10
11:00PM Improv Jam hosted by Mike Marbach & Kristen Schier – FREE!

Sunday, December 5th
8:00PM COMEDY UNIVERSITY: Women With Class + Special College Guests – $10

Monday, December 6th
8:00PM Chip Chantry’s One-Man Show (With Special Guests) – $10

Wednesday, December 8th
8:00PM The Bully Pulpit hosted by Luke Giordano – $10
9:30PM Rant-O-Wheel hosted by Jaime Fountaine – $10

Thursday, December 9th
8:00PM Hey Everybody! hosted by Aaron Hertzog – $10
9:30PM CAGEMATCH – 12/2 Winner vs. Good Cop, Bad Doctor – $10

Friday, December 10th
8:00PM Activity Book Presents “Metal Men” + Mayor Karen – $10
9:30PM Fletcher + Brick (NYC) – $10
11:00PM The Hopper Brothers’ Happy Magic Fun-Time Show – $10

Saturday, December 11th
8:00PM Activity Book Presents “Metal Men” + Mayor Karen – $10
9:30PM Camp Woods + Brick Penguin (DC) – $10
11:00PM Improv Jam hosted by Amie Roe & Greg Maughan – FREE!

Sunday, December 12th
8:00PM COMEDY UNIVERSITY: Cookiepuss (NYC) + The Rubber Chickens (University of Delaware) – $10

Tickets and additional information can be found on PHIT’s website.

Tonight: Bully Pulpit & Rant-O-Wheel at the Shubin

The PHILLY IMPROV THEATER has been on an impressive and unprecedented run of shows recently, and is keeping the momentum going tonight with THE BULLY PULPIT, hosted by LUKE GIORDANO followed by RANT-O-WHEEL, hosted by JAMIE FOUNTAINE.

For those unfamiliar with The Bully Pulpit, Luke invites a group of comics onstage to offer their insights on various topics. We’ve seen a who’s who of Philly comedic minds debate about love, hate, film, current events and just about anything you can imagine. On the docket for tonight’s show are comics JOEY DOUGHERTY, CAROLYN BUSA, H FOLEY and MATT MCCUSKER. Head on down, and laugh as they tackle the ins and outs of today’s pop culture and maybe offer a bit of advice on life.

Then stick around as Jaime and her special co-host ALEJANDRO MORALES spin the Rant-O-Wheel, letting the hand of fate decide what topics will be the subject of their comedic ire. Also… use the password ‘Alejandro’ and get half off admission!

 

8:00PM – THE BULLY PULPIT W/ LUKE GIORDANO
9:30PM – RANT-O-WHEEL W/ JAIME FOUNTAINE
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 27TH | $10 EA
PHIT @ THE SHUBIN | 407 BAINBRIDGE ST

Tonight the Shubin gets seriously funny

Looking for a solution to that stand-up fix? How about a little healthy competition? Well, tonight the PHILLY IMPROV THEATER has shows at the Shubin for whatever ails you… It all starts at 8PM, as they kick off five consecutive weeks of Aaron Hertzog’s HEY EVERYBODY!

Hertzog has quite a list of comedians on the bill tonight, including Billy Bob Thompson, Darryl Charles, Doogie Horner, John Kensil, Luke Giordano and Meg Favreau!

Tickets are $10, but if you use the password *FRIENDSHIP* at the door, you pay half. Because, hey, that’s the kind of guy Aaron is!

Then at 9:30 – new upstart JESSICA TANDY (Jessica Ross and Andy Moskowitz) look to unseat six time champs THE ONES YOUR MOMS WARNED YOU ABOUT in CAGEMATCH. Currently on an unmatched winning streak, will tonight be the night The Ones fall? Your votes decide!

Current Cagematch Champs: The Ones Your Moms Warned You About

PHILLY IMPROV THEATER @ THE SHUBIN
THURSDAY, OCT. 7TH
8PM – HEY EVERYBODY!
9:30PM – CAGEMATCH
407 BAINBRIDGE ST

Lineup for Philly Improv Theater at the Shubin

UPDATE: We neglected to include the Guilty Pleasures shows next week. Our apologies!

The time is upon us as this evening the PHILLY IMPROV THEATER takes up residence at the Shubin for the next two weeks (albeit with a slight hiatus this weekend as they take to the Del Close Marathon). They’ve got shows featuring all the house teams, a first glimpse at a new one, the anniversary of the Bully Pulpit, standup, sketch, rant-o-wheel, visitors from Pittsburgh and the big ticket… SUSAN MESSING & BECKY DRYSDALE!

Wednesday, July 28

8:00PM – The Bully Pulpit, $10
The monthly show celebrates one year with a special panel – all the members of Secret Pants

9:30PM – Rant-O-Wheel hosted by Jaime Fountaine, $10
The return of the infamous Rant-O-Wheel – you never know what you’re going to get

Thursday, July 29

8:00PM – King Friday + Friends, $10
9:30PM – Fletcher + Friends, $10
In a prelude to their DCM shows this weekend, it’s two of PHIT’s house teams in back-to-back shows

Friday – Sunday

PHIT at DCM
PHIT takes the show on the road to the Del Close Marathon in NYC

Tuesday, August 3

8:00PM – Guilty Pleasures: Free Taping
The best kept secret in Philadelphia comedy looks to create some Internet notoriety. A special free taping featuring Roger C. Snair, Chip Chantry, Rob Baniewicz, Meg Favreau and Chris Cotton

Wednesday, August 4

8:00PM – Guilty Pleasures, $10
Regular installment of the monthly show. If you haven’t seen this yet, for shame as you are missing out. Featuring Roger C. Snair, JP Boudwin, Patrick Foy, Dominic Moschitti, Sam Narisi and Kevin J. Kelly

Thursday, August 5

8:00PM – Hey Everybody! hosted by Aaron Hertzog, $10
An evening of stand-up featuring David James, Steve Gerben, Luke Giordano, Blake Wexler, Carolyn Busa, Christian Alsis and Matt McCusker

Friday, August 6

8:00PM – Stranger, Danger + Friends, $10
Double trouble from the comedic pair Sarah Cowdery & Alex Gross

11:00PM – “Stormcrow” sneak-peek, Free
A special free sneak-peek at one of the new house teams, tentatively titled Stormcrow

Saturday, August 7

8:00PM – Irony City + Activity Book, $10
Improvisers from the far west (Pittsburgh) share a bill with the original PHIT house team

9:30PM – Messing with a Friend, $15
The incomparable Susan Messing (iO, Annoyance) is joined by the always unpredictable Becky Drysdale (Second City, UCB). This is one amazing ticket!

11:00PM – Sketch Up or Shut Up, Free
Sketch comedy twist on the classic open mic hosted by Meg Favreau

–

Advanced tickets for these shows don’t seem to be available yet, but we’ll be sure to let you know when they are.

Put a candle on it – Bully Pulpit turns 1

The BULLY PULPIT is turning one, and to commemorate the occasion, all seven members of sketch group SECRET PANTS will be joining this month’s panel. The septet of comedians will join host LUKE GIORDANO to discuss, debate and argue over a selection of topics

Rumors have also abound regarding free beer and boxed wine – which could only serve to make a great show even better. Add to that a $5 discount with the password “hoagie party” and you’ve got yourself a rock solid hump-day cure.

THE BULLY PULPIT ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW
FEATURING SECRET PANTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 28TH @ 8PM
PHIT @ THE SHUBIN | 407 BAINBRIDGE ST

Last One-Man Show for Chip Chantry at the Khyber

For the last few weeks, rumors have abound that the close of July could bring with it the end of live entertainment at the Khyber. It’s still up in the air whether the venue will be changing hands soon, or is simply looking to make a change in bookings. According to a recent chat Philebrity had with owner Stephen Simons, at the very least, the stage will be dark for the month of August.

So with the future unclear, comedian Chip Chantry looks to make this month’s One-Man Show something to remember. For what could be the final installment at the beloved venue, they’re going entirely character-based for the theme. Everyone appearing onstage will be in disguise.

Some fantastic alter-egos and characters abound in our little world of comedy, and tonight should be something pretty damn special… while potentially bidding farewell to a venue held so dear to many comedians, we might conversely see the birth of other hilarious personas the likes of Bing Supernova or Fastball Pitcher Bob Gutierrez.

Chip has a cavalcade of comics slated to take the stage tonight, including: Johnny Goodtimes, Doogie Horner, Brendan Kennedy, Meg Favreau, John Kensil, The Feeko Brothers, Andy Nolan, Luke Giordano, Roger Weaver and more! With a lineup like that, this show already should make your must-see list. Add to that it potentially being the last installment at the place that gave birth to shows like this and Die Actor Die, and it really is the only place you should be tonight.

CHIP CHANTRY’S LAST ONE-MAN SHOW AT THE KHYBER?!?!
MONDAY, JULY 19TH @ 8:30PM
THE KHYBER | 56 S 2ND ST
$5 COVER | DRINK SPECIALS

PHIT Comedy Tonight at the Shubin

Update: Also performing at 9:30, those organic ladies of originality (and apparently oversight)… The Amie & Kristen Show. Apologies for the omission.

The PHILLY IMPROV THEATER is geared up for a couple of great shows tonight at the Shubin Theater, with a little something for everyone:

First up is HEY EVERYBODY, with special guest host, LUKE GIORDANO. Comics grabbing the mic tonight include ROGER WEAVER, SIDNEY GANTT and JAMES HESKY.

Then stick around for the dynamic duo of improv comedy, RICK HORNER and CUBBY ALTOBELLI, as they present WHIPSUIT: ANOTHER LOOK.

PHIT @ THE SHUBIN – 407 BAINBRIDGE ST
THURSDAY, JUNE 10TH
8PM – HEY EVERYBODY
9:30PM – WHIPSUIT + AMIE & KRISTEN SHOW

The Bully Pulpit Birthday Show

LUKE GIORDANO hosts comedy panel talk show THE BULLY PULPIT live tomorrow night as part of PHIT at the Shubin Theater. The monthly show features a rotating quartet of standup, sketch and improv comedians who discuss, debate, and argue over a selection of different topics ranging from the latest current events to pop culture to life advice and everywhere in between.

This month comedians JAMES HESKY, DARRYL CHARLES, AARON HERTZOG and BILLY BOB THOMPSON convene to not only offer their comedic exposition, but to celebrate Luke’s birthday… all with free beer and birthday cake!

You can get yourself in the mood by heading over to the new Bully Pulpit site and listening to the podcast from last month’s show.

THE BULLY PULPIT BIRTHDAY SHOW!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26TH @ 8PM
PHIT @ THE SHUBIN | 407 BAINBRIDGE ST
$5 | FREE BEER & CAKE

PHIT at the Shubin with April-May shows

Tonight the PHILLY IMPROV THEATER launches another two week run at the Shubin, and they’ve got some fun stuff in store for you…

Wed, 4/28
8:00PM – The Bully Pulpit w. Luke Giordano – $5

Thu, 4/29
8:00PM – Improv Comedy, PhD – $10
9:30PM – Troika: Round 3 – $10
11:00PM – The Ones Your Moms Warned You About – FREE

Fri, 4/30
8:00PM – Dependable Felons + Everything Must Go – $10
9:30PM – The Megaphone Comedy Tour + King Friday – $10

Sat, 5/1
8:00PM – Sketch comedy from Meg & Rob feat. Brendan Kennedy – $10
9:30PM – Activity Book + Leo Callahan – $10
11:00PM – Sketch Up or Shut Up -FREE

Sun, 5/2
8:00PM – Sketch comedy from Meg & Rob feat. Carolyn Busa – $10

Mon, 5/3
8:00PM – The Moops – $5

Wed, 5/5
8:00PM – Guilty Pleasures w/ Brendan Kennedy – $5

Thu, 5/6
8:00PM – Hey Everybody w/ Aaron Hertzog – $5
9:30PM – Troika: Championship – $10

Fri, 5/7
8:00PM – Rare Buck Show w/ Dave Buckman + Vorlof – $10
9:30PM – Fletcher + Angry People Building Things – $10

Sat, 5/8
8:00PM – Sketch comedy from Meg & Rob – $10
9:30PM – CUBED + Red Letters – $10
11:00PM – Improv Jam: Flying Leap – FREE

Additional information and advanced tickets available on the PHIT website.

PHIT Shows at the Shubin in August

Tonight begins the PHILLY IMPROV THEATER‘s August run at the Shubin. Here’s a look at what PHIT has in store for comedy fans this week…

Monday, August 3

8PM: Comic vs. Audience Comedy Show – LAST SHOW – $5

It is with great sadness we report that the Comic vs. Audience Comedy Show will be having its last show on August 3. Join your host Dave Walk of Comic vs. Audience.com and the fantastic comedians Joey Dougherty, Pat Barker, Chip Chantry, and New York City’s Matt Ruby, who also runs the comedy blog Sandpaper Suit, for this send-off.

Wednesday, August 5

8PM: Guilty Pleasures – $5

Comedian Brendan Kennedy has his finger firmly on the pulse of terrible written work (including found scripts, embarrassing emails, and more), and he is ready to present it all to you in all of its hilarious awkwardness.

10PM: The Bully Pulpit – $5

Host Luke Giordano wrangles a panel of four comedians in a round-table discussion, complete with arguments and personal attacks. Moving from topic to topic, the show can center on pop culture, current events, or whatever the panelists have on their minds for a show full of fresh, off-the-cuff comedy in the heat of the moment.

Thursday, August 6

8PM: Improv Comedy, PhD – $5

College group Mini-Prometheus performing with powerhouse duo Chris and Tami, who are here all the way from Austin, TX on their “Dream of Meal” tour.

10PM: CAGEMATCH – $5

Competitive longform improv! See two teams throw down and vote for your favorite. This month, reigning champions Rookie Card take on challengers Activity Book.

Friday, August 7

8PM: Amnesia and Attempted Murder – ONE NIGHT ONLY – $10

After being pushed down the stairs and spending a year in a coma, Jane Higgins wakes a to find that she doesn’t recognize anyone. So, in an attempt to refresh Jane’s memory and plead their own innocence, her family members make her a video. In this comedy, we meet ten of Jane’s closest loved ones. Who tried to kill her? You’ll have to see it to find out. Originally performed at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade in NYC. Starring Jill Donnelly and co-written directed by Amy Flanagan.

“With unexpected laughs and macabre surprises, Amnesia and Attempted Murder serves as smelling salts to even the most unresponsive brain.”

-Abbi Crutchfield, The Apiary

10PM: Longform Improv – Rare Bird Show and Fletcher – $10

Fearless festival-hopping powerhouses Rare Bird Show perform with PHIT resident team Fletcher for a full hour of completely made-up comedy.

Saturday, August 8

6PM: PHIT Level 4 Class Show – FREE

Under the guidance of instructor Matt Holmes, students from PHIT’s first 400 level class show off their skills as they tackle the Deconstruction.

8PM: Sketch – High Dramma and The Action Section – $10

The boys of the Action Section and pop-culture-skewing High Dramma are going to attack your laughing muscles with awesome comedy.

10PM: Sex Time with Dr. Neil – $10

Dr. Neil takes his knowledge on the road with his first-ever live taping! Join Dr. Neil as he fields calls, takes audience questions, and proves to us all how little we truly know about the opposite sex. There will be live versions of your favorite Dr. Neil segments – The Givin’ Brain Quiz and Historsextomy: Fact or Friction! Sex Time with Dr. Neil is brought to Philadelphia by his biggest fan, Rob Baniewicz, of the sketch comedy duo, Meg & Rob.

11:30PM Sketch Up or Shut Up! – FREE

Sketch comedy open mic! Sign up by dropping a script or improv-to-sketch premise off at the theater by 9:30 p.m. 10 will be chosen at random, with the line-up posted at 11:15 p.m. Come to perform or watch!