News in Brief

Keeping you up to date on what’s going on in comedy

• The resignation of editor Brian Howard isn’t the only change over at CityPaper… RYAN CAREY of Critical Mass has started a new weekly look at Philadelphia’s comedy scene, LOL With It. And in his inaugural post, he chats with none other than CHIP CHANTRY.

• Some exciting news from CHRIS COTTON and the gang at CENTER CITY COMEDY. LLC papers have been filed and they’ve made it official. Congratulations!

• How appropriate it’s FF. Because if you haven’t discovered them yet, be sure to check out IT’S ALWAYS FUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA. A new local comedy blog that’s already got some great content. Oh, and check ‘em out on Facebook too.

• Last weekend, PJI debuted A VERY SPECIAL LADIES & GENTLEMEN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL. And special it was. I was there for all three shows, and they were fantastic. Phillyist agrees, calling the show “fresh, funny & unexpected.” Just three more chances to catch it this weekend before it closes.

• The schedule for NCCAF (North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival) has been posted. Seven Philadelphia improv groups have been slated to perform – Jessica Tandy, Rintersplit, Adrift, The Ones, N Crowd, Cubed & Rookie Card… as well as four sketch groups – Camp Woods, Bare Hug, Emily & Micah McGraw and Meg & Rob (with 2 shows!) and also stand up Aaron Hertzog. My apologies if I missed any locals while scanning the list.

• And across the country on the same weekend, more Philly comedians will be tearing it up at SFIT (Seattle Festival of Improv Theater). Making their SFIT debuts will be the Amie & Kristen Show as well as MattAnd.

Be sure to keep up to date on Philly comedy happenings by following us on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.

Comedy for the Weekend Warrior

Comedy this weekend is stuffed tighter than that turkey you devoured last week.

hurts so good

Let’s take a look…

Friday, Dec. 3

7:00PM – Toiling In Obscurity | The Dive, 947 E Passyunk

8:00PM – Activity Book in ‘Metal Men’ + Asteroid | PHIT/Shubin, 407 Bainbridge

8:00PM – The N Crowd | Actors Center, 257 N Third

8:00PM – Ted Alexandro | Helium, 2031 Sansom

8:30PM – Jay Barron | Laff House, 221 South St

9:30PM – King Friday + The Amie & Kristen Show | PHIT/Shubin, 407 Bainbridge

10:30PM – Ted Alexandro | Helium, 2031 Sansom

10:45PM – Jay Barron | Laff House, 221 South St

11:00PM – Sketch Up or Shut Up | PHIT/Shubin, 407 Bainbridge

 

Saturday, Dec. 4

7:30PM – Tongue & Groove | Underground @ Ron’s, 1012 E Southampton, Wyndmoor

7:30PM – ComedySportz | Adrienne Playground, 2030 Sansom

8:00PM – Activity Book in ‘Metal Men’ + Asteroid | PHIT/Shubin, 407 Bainbridge

8:00PM – Ted Alexandro | Helium, 2031 Sansom

8:00PM – Jay Barron | Laff House, 221 South St

9:00PM – Rosen & Milkshake + Amie & Kristen Show | Vesuvio, 736 S 8th

9:00PM – Rookie Card | Atomic City Comics, 640 South St

9:30PM – Camp Woods + Brick Penguin (DC) | PHIT/Shubin, 407 Bainbridge

10:00PM – ComedySportz | Adrienne Playground, 2030 Sansom

10:00PM – Jay Barron | Laff House, 221 South St

10:30PM – Ted Alexandro | Helium, 2031 Sansom

11:00PM – Improv Jam | PHIT/Shubin, 407 Bainbridge

11:55PM – Jay Barron | Laff House, 221 South St

 

Sunday, Dec. 5

6:00PM – Jason Grimley’s PHIT 101 Grad Show | PHIT/Shubin, 407 Bainbridge

7:00PM – Improv Incubator | CEC, 3500 Lancaster Ave

8:00PM – Comedy University feat. Women with Class | PHIT/Shubin, 407 Bainbridge

Team 2 takes on Operation Rookie Card tonight

Some time back, we held a blind round for Troika… basically just drew names and then folks came down from the audience and did a set on the spot. It seems as though one of the trios drawn together that night had a lot of fun with it and decided to carry on with the match up. Ladies & gents…  luck of the draw brought BJ ELLIS, JESSICA SNOW and BERT ARCHER together. But playfully fun improv has kept them that way.

Now known as TEAM 2, the trio is set to debut tonight as part of the ROOKIE CARD show at the Raven Lounge. Be sure to head on down and show your support for this brand new team!

ROOKIE CARD w/ TEAM 2
MONDAY, SEPT 27TH @ 9PM
RAVEN LOUNGE 2ND FLOOR | 1718 SANSOM ST

Philly reps it up at DCM this weekend

You might have heard us chatting here and there about the upcoming  DEL CLOSE MARATHON, and Matt Holmes was even kind enough to share his top ten picks.

Well, the weekend is finally upon us, and in addition to all of the great acts from all over converging on Midtown Manhattan, we thought we’d take a moment to highlight the groups that will be representing Philadelphia. So in order of appearance, here you have it:

RARE BIRD SHOW
Friday, 7/30 @ 10PM
Hudson Guild | 441 West 26th Street

The biggest name in Philadelphia improv takes the stage first, ready to set the bar and rock the house. They’ve played DCM for years and have become quite the belles of the ball. If you know them, you probably love them.

ROOKIE CARD
Saturday, 7/31 @ 1:15am
Urban Stages | 259 West 30th Street

These indie darlings host their own monthly show and held the Philly Cagematch title for nearly half a year. It’s their first time at DCM, and they’re looking to make it a memorable one.

KING FRIDAY
Saturday, 7/31 @ 4PM
UCB Mainstage | 307 West 26th Street

Newest addition to the PHIT roster, this team hosts their own monthly shindig at Studio 34 you may have heard of. A core young and energetic cast anchored by several Philly improv veterans… this group is quickly gaining a steady fan base.

FLETCHER
Saturday, 7/31 @ 9PM
Hudson Guild | 441 West 26th Street

An original PHIT house team and up-and-coming rockstars. They’ve been knocking it out of the park pretty consistently. A group to really keep your eyes on.

ACTIVITY BOOK
Sunday, 8/01 @ 6:45PM
Urban Stages | 259 West 30th Street

Also an original PHIT house team, this group experienced an infusion of new cast last fall and after working diligently to mesh the old with the new, they’re now looking to make a big splash in the big city.

You can catch more details on these shows and others at the DCM website.

Rookie Card and Leo Callahan at Raven Lounge

ROOKIE CARD hosts its monthly comedy show at the Raven Lounge tonight. Between this and its Center City Comedy events, the venue is making a name for itself in the local scene as a place to catch some excellent indie comedy.

Tonight the gang is joined by improv group LEO CALLAHAN, who a short while back hosted them at the Arts Parlor. It’s nice little tit-for-tat, and we all get to laugh in the process. Sounds like a pretty good deal all around.

ROOKIE CARD w/ LEO CALLAHAN
MONDAY, JULY 26TH @ 9PM
THE RAVEN LOUNGE, 1718 SANSOM ST
FREE ADMISSION

Comedy for the Weekend Warrior

Here’s a look at comedy happening around town this weekend…

CUBED

Friday, July 9th

8:00PM – N Crowd | Actors Center | $10-$15
8:00PM – CUBED + Rookie Card | Shubin | $10
8:00PM – Ben Bailey | Helium Comedy Club | SOLD OUT
9:30PM – Fletcher + Friends | Shubin | $10
10:30PM – Ben Bailey | Helium Comedy Club | $25-$30

Saturday, July 10th

7:30PM – ComedySportz Philly | Playground @ Adrienne | $10
8:00PM – Bare Hugs + WALT! | Shubin | $10
8:00PM – Kevin Brennan | Helium Comedy Club | $25-$30
9:30PM – Epsilon Faction + Activity Book | Shubin | $10
10:00PM – ComedySportz Philly | Playground @ Adrienne | $10
10:30PM – Kevin Brennan | Helium Comedy Club | $25-$30
11:00PM – Sketch Open Mic: Sketch Up or Shut Up | Shubin | FREE

Sunday, July 11th

6:00PM – PHIT L1 Class Show | Shubin | FREE
7:00PM – Improv Incubator | Community Education Center | PWYC
7:00PM – Philly’s Phunniest | Helium Comedy Club | $10-$15
8:00PM – Bare Hugs + WALT! | Shubin | $10

Lineup for PHIT at the Shubin

It’s time once again for the PHILLY IMPROV THEATER to take up residence at the Shubin Theatre. They’ve put together a lot of great programming to kick off July… including recurring favorites like the BULLY PULPIT, a new Cagematch challenger looking to take down THE ONES…, the very audience inclusive M@&, new Troika breakout DECONSTRUCTING STEVE, newcomers WALT!, the much anticipated KEVIN ALLISON SKETCH COMEDY SPECTACULAR and if memory serves, the first ever L1 CLASS SHOW. Here’s the breakdown:

Wed, June 30
8:00pm – The Bully Pulpit

Thu, July 1
8:00pm – M@& + Friends
9:30pm – Angry People Building Things + Friends

Fri, July 2
8:00pm – Deconstructing Steve + Leo Callahan
9:30pm – King Friday + Friends

Sat, July 3
6:00pm – Storytelling Grad Show
8:00pm – Kevin Allison’s Sketch Comedy Spectacular
9:30pm – Kevin Allison’s Sketch Comedy Spectacular

Mon, July 5
8:00pm – The Moops

Wed, July 7
8:00pm – Guilty Pleasures

Thu, July 8
8:00pm – Hey Everybody!
9:30pm – CAGEMATCH: Stranger, Danger vs. The Ones

Fri, July 9
8:00pm – CUBED + Rookie Card
9:30pm – Fletcher + Friends

Sat, July 10
8:00pm – Bare Hugs + WALT!
9:30pm – Epsilon Faction + Activity Book

Sun, July 11
6:00pm – Class Show: Emily Davis’ L1
8:00pm – WALT! + Bare Hugs

PHILLY IMPROV THEATER
JUNE 30 – JULY 11
SHUBIN THEATRE | 407 BAINBRIDGE ST
TICKETS: $5 – $10

Rookie Card w/ APBT tonight

ROOKIE CARD presents It’s About To Get Biblical Bitches tonight at the Raven Lounge (where you can catch them on the fourth Monday of every month). Opening for them tonight are ANGRY PEOPLE BUILDING THINGS.

ROOKIE CARD w/ APBT
MONDAY, MAY 24TH @ 9PM
RAVEN LOUNGE | 1718 SANSOM ST

A chat with Amie and Kristen

Whether you call them the Amie & Kristen Show or the Kristen & Amie Show… the most important thing is that the two ladies onstage are Amie Roe and Kristen Schier; a pair of funny local ladies who, while well established among an assortment of improv groups, are popping up all the more recently as a two woman show.

I had the chance to chat with these ladies and pick their brains about their playing styles and the dynamics of the duo…

What would you say are some of the major differences in doing a two woman show vs a larger ensemble piece?
KS: Mostly you get to play a lot more. No time for thinking on the back line which makes the ride that much more wild.
AR: When you’re in a two-person show you’re constantly engaged. And I’m also focused on just Kristen the whole time. I become really attuned to her every move. Every nuanced thing you do becomes so important, because, with just two people, no bit of information gets lost.

What do you two do to get prepared for a show? Any special warmups or bonding, etc?
KS: Amie and I are best friends. That’s right, I said it. So we know each other pretty well.
AR: Kristen is my best friend. I took the plunge and also said that. We took a class on duo improv shows at the Magnet Theater with Armando Diaz. We had a cute little ritual of taking the bus together to New York, eating at Bagel Maven, taking class, and then riding back to Philly together. So spending that whole day together and having a 3 hour class in the middle of those days with Armando really helped us grow as friends and as a show.
KS: This is were we paid a lot of attention to what the show was, each others playing style and then we took it from there. Before a show we do some talking, some scene work and that is about it.

You are both directors of other shows, and so you have clear visions about things you want to see in improv performances. Of course we all want the audience to laugh… but what other elements do you want your show to showcase?
AR: I want to produce something that’s playful and honest.
KS: There are not a lot of groups in Philly right now doing organic transitions between scenes. So, yeah, we want to expose audiences to that stuff, if they haven’t had a chance to see it before. Really, its nothing new, its just new to the Philly stage. Also I want to show the audience a good time. Amie and I have a lot of fun up there making stuff up and we want that to be contagious.

Many duos fall into roles of straight vs wacky, etc. Do you find one of you playing a type of character/status more often?
KS: Nope. Its mostly different speeds of play that we contend with. Amie tends to play fast, and I slow both of which are great. During our show we almost switch personalities though – so surprisingly it will be Amie who slows a scene down as I find myself speeding things along.
AR: Also, Kristen tends to play the short characters and I play the slightly taller ones.

If your audience could only give a one word review of the Amie & Kristen Show, what would you hope they say after seeing a show?
AR: FUN!
KS: Congradulamatasticwowercise!

There you have it. And if you’re looking for a little congradulamatasticwowercise yourself, you can catch these ladies next Monday as they help Rookie Card ring in their one year anniversary show.

THE AMIE & KRISTEN / KRISTEN & AMIE SHOW
CELEBRATING THE ROOKIE CARD ANNIVERSARY SHOW
MONDAY, APRIL 26TH @ 9PM
RAVEN LOUNGE | 1718 SANSOM ST

PHIT storms the Shubin with biggest lineup yet

Last night the PHILLY IMPROV THEATER launched their monthly run at the Shubin with a staged reading of When I Was, a new one-act play penned by house team member Michael Schwartz. The theater goes dark again tonight, right before PHIT starts ramping up into it’s largest run at the Shubin to date!

They’ll be tackling nearly thirty shows over the next two weeks, including performances by guests from NYC and Chicago, a workshop from former Philadelphian and PHIF founder Mike McFarland, as well as a special screening of the new TJ & Dave documentary. And it all resumes tomorrow night…

Wednesday, January 27th
8:00pm: The Bully Pulpit (w/ guest host Greg Maughan) – $5

Thursday, January 28th
8:00pm: Drexel Football Team + Rookie Card – $5
9:30pm: CAGEMATCH: The Ones Your Mothers Warned You About vs The Kristen & Amie Show – $5

Friday, January 29th
8:00pm: Activity Book + Everything Must Go – $10

Fletcher

9:30pm: Fletcher + The Imposters (NYC) – $10
11:00pm: Flying Leap! (An Improv Open Jam) – FREE

Saturday, January 30th
8:00pm: Activity Book + Dynasty (NYC) – $10
9:30pm: Fletcher + Everything Must Go – $10
11:00pm: Sketch Up or Shut Up (The Sketch Comedy Open Mic) – FREE

Sunday, January 31st

Mike McFarland

2:00pm: WORKSHOP – The Passion of the Mike taught by Mike McFarland (NYC) – $50
8:00pm: Screening: Trust Us This Is All Made Up (The TJ & Dave Documentary) – $5

Monday, February 1st
8:00pm: Hey Everybody! hosted by Aaron Hertzog – $5

Wednesday, February 3rd
8:00pm: Guilty Pleasures; One Year Anniversary Show – $5

Thursday, February 4th
8:00pm: High Dramma + Mr. Lizard – $10
9:30pm: We’re Nice People; A Night of Doucheless Comedy (NYC) – $10

Friday, February 5th
8:00pm: Tin Sandwich (Chicago) + B.W.P. – $10
9:30pm: King Friday – $10

Saturday, February 6th
8:00pm: King Friday – $10
9:30pm: Tin Sandwich (Chicago) + The Carousel of Progress – $10

Tickets and additional information