beth lapides

For an independent comedy show of any kind to last a year is a feat in such a city as Los Angeles. UnCabaret, created by Beth Lapides, has lasted for around 30 years and is very much continuing to foster a special community with its sort-of-light-bulb-moment-focused storytelling/stand-up show. It’s an undeniable institution in comedy and foundational to alternative comedy as we know and love it. This week’s TCB Field Report talks to Lapides and the history of her beautiful gathering that she has created and what goes into keeping conversation, especially the sort that’s had between performer and audience, sacred.

Follow UnCabaret @uncabaret across socials and Beth @beth_lapides on IG.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Pick of the Day: FRIENDLY HOUSE LA Comedy Benefit (in LA) 7/16

June 9, 2022

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atsuko okatsuka, beth lapides, fonda theatre, friendly house la, gina yashere, kathy griffin, los angeles comedy, rosie o'donnell

If the CA primary election this week was any indication, there is a lot more work we’ll need to do for those in need, especially in LA. It’ll be organizations like Friendly House LA that offer “a safe, structured and supportive home-like environment that fosters recovery for women seeking recovery from alcohol and other substance abuse disorders,” that will pick up the crucial slack that either the LA city or county government might not be picking up.

As such, Rosie O’Donnell is putting on a big comedy benefit for Friendly House LA at The Fonda Theater on Sat. Jul. 16th at 8:30PM PT with a stellar line-up of Atsuko Okatsuka, Beth Lapides, Gina Yashere, and Kathy Griffin. Honestly, you might not see this particular collection of great female comedians crossing several generations ever again (i.e. don’t miss out). Tickets are on sale starting at $80 and you can (and should) go snag them here.

Pick of the Day: UnCabaret (on Zoom) 1/9

January 4, 2022

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beth lapides, erin foley, jamie bridgers, Judy Gold, julia sweeney, justin sayre, mitch kaplan, virtual comedy

Welp, it’s another week (or few weeks more like it) of many live, in-person comedy shows going dark due to the current COVID-19 surge that will no doubt be bolstered by Christmas and NYE.

Thus, it’s a great time to remind you all that virtual comedy didn’t complete die out even though you very well might have checked out from it over a year ago. Also, there are a handful of folks that really figured out and managed to curate a great show on Zoom. One such show has been and still is legendary alt comedy show, UnCabaret. They’ve been doing a virtual edition of their show for a long stretch of the pandemic then opted to alternate between in-person and virtual when creator/host Beth Lapides took to the stage once more in 2021.

So, if you’re looking for some live comedy to look forward to that’s definitely happening and won’t risk your health with getting infecting with the Delta or Omicron variants of COVID-19, look no further than this Sun. Jan. 9th at 7:30PM PT for the latest virtual edition that will feature the likes of Julia Sweeney, Erin Foley, Jen Kirkman, Judy Gold, Justin Sayre and Jamie Bridgers as well as Beth and UnCabaret’s band leader, Mitch Kaplan, and their very tight house band.

RSVP for this Sunday here; admission is free, but they do take donations.

Pick of the Day: UnCabaret (in person) 7/10

June 23, 2021

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alex edelman, beth lapides, hannah einbinder, jamie bridgers, julia sweeney, uncabaret

It was one of our favorite shows pre-pandemic. It continued being one of our favorites when they transitioned to going virtual. Now, after a year and a half, you’ll get to the legendary, long-running comedy-variety show UnCabaret, in person, in the newly reopened El Cid in Silverlake.

As always, it’ll have creator and fearless leader, Beth Lapides, and the tight house band led by Mitch Kaplan lead off the evening’s agenda on Sat. Jul. 10th with doors opening at 8:30PM PT. Coming from the virtual UnCabaret, they’ve got their favorites (almost a celebrated recurring cast at this point) lined-up with Julia Sweeney, Laura Kightlinger, Dana Gould, Justin Sayre, and Jamie Bridgers.

As it’s the first show back, it ought to be extra magical in the most UnCabaret way possible.

Tickets are going for $24.60 and you really ought to go get them before they sell out here.

Pick of the Day: Uncabaret Zoom Edition

April 10, 2020

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alec mapa, alex edelman, beth lapides, comedy show, jamie bridgers, julia sweeney, kate willett, kira soltanovich, storytelling, uncabaret, variety show

UnCabaret with Beth Lapides, the legendary comedy/storytelling/music variety show, has been around for over a quarter of a century and it has no intention of stopping or slowing down even if it has change things up a little bit for the time being.

While we’re all observing our “safer at home” order here in LA, we all can’t take a seat in the gorgeous Rockwell Table & Stage, but UnCabaret, Beth, and UnCabaret music director Mitch Kaplan will be pushing forward with their show via the more popular than ever video conferencing platform Zoom and feature a, per usual, wonderful, wonderful line-up including Julia Sweeney, Alec Mapa, Alex Edelman, Kira Soltanovich, Kate Willett, and Jamie Bridgers.

UnCabaret Zoom Edition is happening this Sun., Apr. 12th at 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET. Get more details/register for a free ticket here.

The show is indeed free, but donations will be gladly accepted and split between artists. Venmo @BethLapides or PayPal Beth@uncabaret.com.

January 30, 2019

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alec mapa, alex edelman, beth lapides, chris pierce, comedy show, denise fraser, jamie bridgers, julia sweeney, los angeles, los feliz, merrill markoe, mitch kaplan, stand up, storytelling

The legendary storytelling/new material show Uncabaret (it has been running for a quarter of a century) is settling into its new home in Los Feliz at the swanky Rockwell Table & Stage.

That being said, it’s not a weekly affair anymore and thus, we’re keeping an eye out for you for the show’s upcoming dates including this one near the end of March with yet another stacked line-up (from several different generations of comedy by the way).

Anyways, tickets are going from $10-$30 (plus a 2-item min.) and you can get your tickets here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, screenings, open mics, maps, and more can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.

June 13, 2018

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au lac, beth lapides, comedy show, dtla, erin foley, justin sayre, langston kerman, lauren weedman, storytelling, uncabaret, variety show, zach sherwin

So, Au Lac in DTLA, the current home of one of LA’s longest running comedy shows UnCabaret, will be soon going through some changes including discontinuing live shows.

So, there are only a couple of chances to catch UnCabaret in the gorgeous Bar Fedora room and you really ought to not miss the magic blend of storytelling, stand-up, music, and host Beth Lapides while you can.

Get tickets for this penultimate show here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, screenings, open mics, maps, and more can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.

July 1, 2016

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au lac, beth lapides, downtown la, dtla, dylan brody, eliza skinner, greg behrendt, july 3, kiki ebsen, los angeles, stand up, storytelling, uncabaret, what to do, whitney chitwood, zach sherwin

Tickets are $10-$30 with a two item minimum and you can (and should) get them here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows/events as well as open mics are embedded at www.thecomedybureau.com.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for Skirball members, and $8 for full time students and you can get them here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows/events as well as open mics and corresponding maps are embedded at www.thecomedybureau.com.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 180: Beth Lapides & Conversation Sanctity

Pick of the Day: FRIENDLY HOUSE LA Comedy Benefit (in LA) 7/16

Pick of the Day: UnCabaret (on Zoom) 1/9

Pick of the Day: UnCabaret (in person) 7/10

Pick of the Day: Uncabaret Zoom Edition