improv comedy – The Comedy Bureau

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 211: Jessica Svendsgaard & Starting an Improv Festival Called MILF

April 10, 2024

comedy festival, improv comedy, indie improv, jessica svendsgaard, los angeles comedy

Of all the disciplines in comedy, improv might have had the longest road back from lockdown. Connected to that, improv festivals that used to be an annual celebration to be relied on are now having to be revived from the ashes. Thus, one of the oldest indie improv nights in LA, Mach Improv, is taking up the mantle from what used to be known and beloved as The LA Indie Improv Festival and throwing their very own 12 hour improv festival, the wonderfully abbreviated MILF (Mach Improv LA Festival), later this month at what essentially is LA indie improv HQ, The Clubhouse. Mach’s very own Jessica Svendsgaard tells us all about the festival, the state of improv in spring 2024, and why all of this is important/worth doing in times like these.

Follow Jessica @thebyebyemancuckedme on IG and get all info for MILF on Sat. Apr. 27th at The Clubhouse from Noon to Midnight at milfcomedy.com.

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

Pick of the Day: Elefante [FREE] (in LA) 8/6

July 13, 2023

News

elefante, improv comedy, long form improv, los angeles comedy, ucb

Since pretty much all of Tinseltown is shut down due to the WGA going well into their third month of striking and SAG-AFTRA officially going on strike starting after midnight tonight, it might be helpful to point out/give a reminder of some of the great free offerings of comedy in and around town.

ASSSSCAT, UCB’s long standing, foundational improv show, back in the old days of UCB Franklin, used to go up every Sunday, free of charge. Since UCB’s return in LA, they now call their marquee long form improv show based on a monologist’s stories (that are based off an audience suggestion), Elefante. The show still takes UCB’s most veteran performers and favorite rising improv stars and showcase the very best of UCB improv, but just under a different animal-based moniker.

There is still a free edition of the show (normal tickets cost $20 a pop), but it happens once a month on a Sunday instead of every week. The next free Elefante is on Sun. Aug. 6th at 8:30PM @ UCB Franklin. To attend, you have to RSVP for a free ticket here, then line-up early enough to get in as admission is first come, first served.

Pick of the Day: The Black Version (in NYC) 2/24 & 2/25

February 15, 2023

News

black version, Cedric Yarbrough, Daniele Gaither, gary anthony williams, improv comedy, jordan black, Karen Maruyama, nyc comedy, Nyima Funk, phil lamarr

The Black Version, created by Jordan Black, remains as one of the longest running, most celebrated, best improv shows in the country. For the uninitiated, Black and his stellar cast of improvisers make the “Black Version” of a movie title suggested by the audience. This show has played Groundlings, Largo, and plenty of comedy festivals across the country, and is now going to have a very special, two night run in NYC at the newly formed Midnight Theatre (located right by MSG).

Joining Black will be the long time Black Version veterans including Daniele Gaither, Gary Anthony Williams, Nyima Funk, Phil Lamarr, Karen Maruyama, and Cedric Yarbrough.

This NYC run of The Black Version is set for Fri. Feb. 24th & Sat. Feb. 25th at both 7PM and 9:30PM. Tickets start at $40 and you better go snag ’em here.

Pick of the Day: The Ledge Theatre Grand Opening @ Impro Studio (in LA) 1/6

January 4, 2023

News

improv comedy, ledge theatre, los angeles, sketch comedy

Throughout 2022 in LA, you might have come across mention of The Ledge Theatre while perusing the calendars of Lyric Hyperion, Pack Theater, and Skiptown Playhouse. For the unfamiliar, The Ledge is a theatre collective wholly dedicated to diversity and inclusion, especially when it comes to sketch and improv comedy. They have hopped around to the three aforementioned venues.

Starting this Friday, The Ledge will have a new home in conjunction with The Impro Theatre, a long standing black box on the second floor of a Los Feliz strip mall that we’re thankful for surviving through the pandemic. To kick things off, they’re having a Grand Opening show on Fri. Jan. 6th at 7PM featuring performances from:

JUST LIKE WATER
Just Like Water does the monoscene! One location, no cuts, no edits, just improv. Just like Water. Featuring @michellethevoice , @karenbaughn , @itsmiaschauffler , @artouncartoon , @burncoryburn , @androssthegreat and @thedjrouse .

KoKo
KoKo is a 2 person improv troupe that includes @teruko_teru & @bilekoazizawissajr Teru and Bileko met in the improv circuit at Westside comedy and Teru noticed “hey your name has a ‘Ko’ just like my name” Hence that’s where the name comes from. The improv form that “Ko-Ko” does is an Armando style, based on original characters, objects, and just plan on fun! Ko-Ko plans on becoming a name in the improv community!

POWER SAUCE
Power Sauce (@gillikis , and @nativi_rad ) will regale you with a novel yet timeless tale by stirring up a serving of some good ol’ fashioned long-form improv. Just toss in a suggestion, sit back, and behold the Power of Sauce!

BREAD
BREAD is a Los Angeles based improv team made up of queer people of color. Laugh your gluteus (glutenous?) maximus off with BREAD! Featuring: @msadriansnow , @jesse_is_awesome , @mikiannmaddox , @thetonyrodrig , @ericchadho , @melizardpeng and @elisaxfilm .

Landry & Summers
Since 1986 @landrysummerscomedy (@shaunlandry1 and Hans Summers) have been Improvisational and Sketch Theatre. Shaun started The Ledge. Hans watches and helps shaun run The Ledge.

Tickets are only $15 and you can (and should) get them here.

Pick of the Day: UCB Homecoming (in LA) 9/30 & 10/1

September 14, 2022

News

improv comedy, los angeles comedy, sketch comedy, ucb, upright citizens brigade

Nearly everything in comedy that has survived from COVID-19 lockdown that has intended to return has indeed return with only a very tiny group of exceptions. In LA, the Ice House in Pasadena and the Upright Citizens Brigade have not opened their doors once more for nightly shows like they had in 2019, but, for UCB, that will be changing in the next couple of weeks.

From having to close most of their theater spaces and selling the entire brand to a new three party ownership, UCB is set for a ‘homecoming’ over two nights on Fri. Sept. 30th and Sat. Oct. 1st. that will feature their best improv, sketch, and characters including:

Elefante-A monologist from the world of entertainment tells personal stories which inspire scenes by a rotating cast of LA’s best improvisers. Elefante is the Upright Citizens Brigade’s staple improv comedy show.

An improv showcase of: The Big Team, Spanish Aqui Presents, Asian AF: Voltron, Queer World

Homecoming Parade-40 characters, 60 seconds in front of a crowd with hosts John Milhiser & Veronica Osorio Vidette.

It’ll be an intriguing return as UCB will return to an entirely transformed comedy scene as bit of the big dogs that they once were, but a bit of the new kids since many UCB alums have found their way to The Elysian or Largo over the last couple of years (and the internal reckoning they had in 2020), not to mention trying to discern what the new direction of UCB under its new ownership will be.

In any case, some of the very best improvisers and sketch folks in the scene will be going up on those two nights and it’ll be worth $20 of your bucks to head back to UCB Franklin, still hallowed comedy ground in LA as far as we’re concerned, and catch any three of these shows at least once, if not twice. Get tickets here.

Pick of the Day: Fun & Dumb Improv Festival (in NYC) 7/8-7/10

June 21, 2022

News

brooklyn, brooklyn comedy collective, fun and dumb improv festival, improv comedy, nyc comedy

The danger of gathering in close proximity over the last couple of years has been devastating to live performance, especially when it comes to long form improvisational comedy. Improv is a major pillar to live comedy and flourished before lockdown, but has only just recently been finding its footing on this side of the pandemic having to deal with venue closures, performers moving away, etc.

Thankfully, the Brooklyn Comedy Collective is cooking up a celebratory return for improv in full force, which is great to hear since we have no idea if and when the next Del Close Marathon will be. From July 8th-10th, BCC will have over 80 shows from not only from NYC, but all around the globe to perform on their stages deep in Brooklyn. That’ll include such renowned teams as BABY WANTS CANDY, LADIES WHO RANCH, BORABISH, SHAMILTON, and way more! You can check out the entire schedule here.

“Fun and Dumb is all about bringing the improv community back together,” says BCC Artitistic Director Philip Markle. “We’re thrilled to have teams joining us all the way from Berlin & Chicago – as well as the other NYC comedy theaters like The Squirrel, Magnet, The PIT, Rubbish Comedy, and the former Upright Citizens Brigade.”

Day passes are going for $20 and you can (and very much should) go snag them here.

Pick of the Day: The Harold Experience (in LA) 4/25

April 14, 2022

News

broadwater, harold night, improv comedy, los angeles comedy, the comedy coop

Nearly every improv team worth their salt has had their rounds doing this very time honored form of improv scene that challenge every one involved to have seemingly disparate scenes come together in an organic way at the end of a set. Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays between UCB Franklin and UCB Sunset here in LA and just as much in UCB in NYC when all those were alive and kicking used to be dedicated to the specific long form improvisational form known as the Harold.

With theaters going dark because of COVID-19, there has been a stark absence of long form improv (and everything) of any kind, but definitely a large void where several routine Harold performances would happen at improv theaters across the country.

The Comedy Coop LA, much of which is comprised of former UCB/Second City/iO/Groundlings alums, is aiming to bringing that institution back with The Harold Experience. Over the course of four hours, 6 teams, including some original UCB house teams, will dive into the Harold once again and weave improv gold before your very eyes on Mon. Apr. 25th at The Broadwater Mainstage.

That’ll include:

7 PM SHOW – Griffith Park and Outside Dog

8:30 PM SHOW – YETI and The Producers

10 PM SHOW – The IT Factor and Santa Monica Pier

Some of those teams will be a mash-up of great improvisers such as Lyndsey Frank, Eli Gonzalez, Dayna LoBosco, Jenna Bryson, PJ McCormick, Leonard Smith Jr, Derrick Hackett, Greg Smith, Karen Baughn, Ted Asbaghi, Max Toretti, Colin McGurk, Genetra Tull, Paul Heredia, Carl Tart, Lilan Bowden, Ruha Taslimi, Santina Muha, Samat Turgunbaev, Mark Wilson, Adam Gottfried, Jorge Thomson, Bob Hsiao, Michael Roselle, Sarah Baggot, Monte Montepare, Andy Bustillos, Kelly Vrooman, Artin Sarkysian, David Luong, Sam Calpadi, Jesse Merrill, Zef Hussain, Kelly Hannah

Best of all, it’s the same price you’d pay for a Harold Night, $5. Go get your tickets right now right here.

Pick of the Day: Great Moments in Comedy Made Worse (in LA) 4/28

April 5, 2022

News

experimental comedy, improv comedy, jeremy schmidt, los angeles comedy, sketch comedy, skyler madsen

In the days of yore, back when UCB Franklin gave its midnight slots to the most experimental, out there comedy shows and formats, there was a marvelous whirlwind of chaos lovingly called Great Moments in Comedy Made Worse. The scripts to famous sketches in comedy history are randomly given to a cast and after doing a cold read, they have to improvise and stretch the sketch however they can for at least 15 minutes.

This bout of lovely chaos was kicked up by Skyler Madsen and Jeremy Schmidt and had so many hysterical twists and turns with many of LA’s very best sketch and improv performers, especially if someone had no idea what the sketch was or didn’t really know who they were playing. Thus, we rolled out on to Franklin Ave. at 1 in the morning, thrilled at mashing up irreverence with comedic bedlam.

Thanks to The Comedy Coop LA, Great Moments in Comedy Made Worse is coming back for the first time in far too many years on Thurs. Apr. 28th at 8PM PT at The Broadwater in Hollywood. Tickets are $10 and we highly suggest snagging them up soon as space is limited.

Pick of the Day: Convoy… for two. (in LA) 2/13

February 1, 2022

News

alex berg, alex fernie, improv comedy, long form improv, los angeles comedy, todd fasen, valentine's day, what to do, yard theater

Though we have our own reservation of the corporate-fueled holiday that is Valentine’s Day, the prospect of getting a private improv show from one of LA’s celebrated improv teams Convoy (Alex Fernie, Alex Berg & Todd Fasen) for you and your significant other is something really special that you really ought to not miss out on.

Sunday, February 13th will see Convoy giving three private improv performances for three separate audiences of exactly two people. Not only will you see improv at its highest levels, but the veteran improvisers of Convoy “guarantee” they will strengthen your relationship.

Convoy… for two. will happen at The Yard Theater on Feb. 13th at 9PM PT, 9:30PM PT, and 10:30PM PT and you can (and oh goodness you should) enter here for your chance to win tickets. You have until Feb. 8th to enter and winner will be notified by Feb 10th.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 94: Casey Feigh & Walking Into a Dive Bar to Do Improv

January 12, 2022

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

aziz ansari, bob saget, casey feigh, goldbergs, improv comedy, long form improv, netflix, snl

Long form improv, pretty much at any level, almost exclusively happens in black box theaters as they just happen to be the perfect set up for a team to improvise comedic scenes out of “thin air”. The enduring pandemic has not afforded such spaces with ease as was had in 2019 resulting in improvisers having to, well, improvise. Casey Feigh leads off one of the only weekly improv shows in LA, which used to have dozens upon dozens a show per week, Holy Sh*t Improv, currently housed at long standing Silverlake watering hole, The Silverlake Lounge.

It’s kind of a challenge to do live comedy in any bar where the main bar and the main stage are in the same room, but Feigh, a veteran improviser/comedian, sees his way past any of the challenges through the community he fosters with the very best improvisers in and around the once improv-saturated Los Angeles comedy scene. Casey joins TCB Field Report to chronicle trying to run one of the only recurring improv shows during a pandemic.

Also, “hot” takes on a new SNL podcast, Aziz Ansari’s upcoming new Netflix special, and more.

Follow Casey @caseyfeigh on Twitter and IG and Holy Sh*t Improv @holyshitimprov on IG

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

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

Pick of the Day: Great Moments in Comedy Made Worse (in LA) 12/5

November 24, 2021

News

experimental comedy, glendale, great moments in comedy made worse, improv comedy, jeremy schmidt, los angeles comedy, sketch comedy, skyler madsen

There used to be a time when there were anywhere from 3 to 5 shows a night at any of the UCB theaters. Within that slate, some of the coolest, most experimental stuff (i.e. much of the stuff we sought out before lockdown) happened at or after 11PM.

One of those things was the throw-caution-to-the-wind show Great Moments in Comedy Made Worse. Skyler Madsen and Jeremy Schmidt were at the helm of the raucous comedy catalyst that took famous sketches and tacked on 10-15 minutes of improv after the sketch supposedly ended. Also, none of the players knew what sketch they were going to do/improvise off until the very moment they were handed a script. The sort of madcap fun had by all of this show is something we’ve dearly missed for two years and are so thrilled that it has a date lined-up for next week.

In fact, you won’t even have to stay up to midnight to watch it. Presented by The Comedy Co-op, this return of Great Moments in Comedy Made Worse is set for Sun. Dec. 5th at 8PM PT at The Glendale Room. Tickets are only $10 and we highly suggest you get them ASAP because space is limited.

Pick of the Day: Cagematch 2121 (in NYC) starting 9/16

September 14, 2021

News

improv comedy, long form improv, nyc comedy

One of our favorite and, coincidentally, one of the best ways to watch long form improvisational comedy was through a late weeknight showcase known as “Cagematch”. Multiple teams would be pitted against each other to serve up the best performances they could to emerge victorious and, hopefully, remain on a winning streak as long as possible. We’ve been lucky enough to see runs go for well over a year when UCB used to have their improv Cagematches going in LA and it was some of the funniest things we’ve ever seen performed on a comedy stage of any kind.

With more and more comedy things reopening, we’re indeed going to get an improv cagematch back in, of all places, UCB’s old Chelsea venue in NYC, which is now under a different banner, Asylum NYC. The best of NYC improv will go head to head at Cagematch 2121 at Asylum NYC every other week starting on Sept. 16th (feat. Higgins vesus Shrecc). Ironically enough, many Cagematches fictionalized some sort of post-apocalyptic world in which these showdowns would take place and, for what it’s worth, it’s a little more close to reality now.

That’s all the more reason to go get your tickets for Cagematch 2121 now.

Pick of the Day: Holy Sh*t Improv (in LA) 9/13

September 10, 2021

News

improv comedy, los angeles comedy, silverlake lounge

While stand-up is very firmly up and running on this side of the pandemic here in Los Angeles, the LA comedy scene is still beset with the question of what to do about improv. The fate of so many venues that regularly hosted some of the best long form improv that one could see have yet to be determined (especially when it comes to UCB).

So, there are improv shows that are popping up here and there where they have never been before and, honestly, we’re thrilled to see some of the best improv teams venture into territory that they’ve literally never been to before.

Case in point: Holy Sh*t Improv will bring some of LA’s best make-em-ups on the 2nd & 4th Mondays to Silverlake Lounge starting Mon. Sept. 13th at 8PM PT.

Oh, the teams, more specifically, for this inaugural edition of Holy Sh*t Improv are:

Queen George – Peter Banifaz, Greg Gallant, Hillary Matthews, Julia Meltzer, Ed Roe, Dhruv Singh, Carl Tart & Gregory Wallace

Yeti – Ally Beardsley, Devin Field, Victoria Longwell, Vic Michaelis, Zac Oyama, Talia Tabin, Lou Wilson & Jacob Wysocki

Wild – Amanda Bonar, Allyson Phillips, Cara Meyers, Jessica Svendsgaard & Meg Joh

You’re not going to want to miss this (even if you’re a comedy purist that only is mostly into stand-up comedy). Tickets are $11.30 and you can (and should) go get them here.

Pick of the Day: Super Horses, Wild Ego 4/19

April 9, 2021

News

dynasty typewriter, erin whitehead, improv comedy, jeremy carter, lauren lapkus, livestream, mark mcconville, mary holland, matt gourley, paul f tompkins, stephanie allynne, superego, wild horses

Alright, OK, well, well, well… two of the best improv groups in comedy history are coming together for a very, very special, exclusive virtual performance presented by the wondrous Dynasty Typewriter.

The improvised comedy powers of Wild Horses (Lauren Lapkus, Stephanie Allynne, Mary Holland, and Erin Whitehead) and Superego (Jeremy Carter, Matt Gourley, Mark McConville, and Paul F. Tompkins) that truly do represent so much of the crème de la crème of improv comedy are becoming the portmanteau of Super Horses, Wild Ego for this special night on Mon. Apr. 19th at 5PM PT/8PM ET.

No matter what platform or wherever this would be happening, this is most certainly a comedy event not to be missed. Fortunately, you’ll be able to live-stream this from the comfort of wherever you’re comfortably (hopefully) not gathering. Best of all, tickets are only $5-$10. Best go get’em here.

Pick of the Day: Wild Horses w/Naomi Ekperigin 1/16

January 15, 2021

News

dynasty typewriter, erin whitehead, improv comedy, lauren lapkus, mary holland, naomi ekperigin, stephanie allynne

Not only are Lauren Lapkus, Mary Holland, Erin Whitehead, and Stephanie Allynne are assembling virtually as one of the best improv groups that was ever formed in Wild Horses for their first live-stream of 2021, courtesy of Dynasty Typewriter, but they’re featuring one of our hands-down, all-time favorite comedians to watch, Naomi Ekperigin for this particular Jan. 2021 show.

For those unfamiliar (and we’re almost envious that you get to discover Wild Horses at this point), Lapkus, Holland, Whitehead, and Allynne check-in with each other in as good friends would at a bar or party along with their featured guest and then do their signature brilliant improv following that. Whether it be Largo, UCB, or wherever else they were playing, it was one of the improv shows we looked forward the most in the before times.

So, you best not miss your latest opportunity to catch them prance, gallop, etc. on Sat. Jan. 16th at 5PM PT/8PM ET for only $5. Get those tickets here.

Pick of the Day: Convoy’s 14th Annual Thanksgiving Feast Show 11/25

November 24, 2020

News

alex berg, alex fernie, convoy, deborah tarica, improv comedy, julie brister, la regional food bank, oscar montoya, suzi barrett, thanksgiving, todd fasen

Thanksgiving is upon us and the need for food on a day that’s pretty much dedicated to pretty much being everyone’s cheat day. Still, plenty of folks are short on or without food and, especially because of the pandemic and new lockdown restrictions, are in dire need of support, more so than ever before.

That’s why Convoy, one of LA’s best improv groups for several years & long running UCB house team, is doing their annual Thanksgiving Feast Show in support of the LA Regional Food Bank. Alex Berg, Julie Brister, Alex Fernie, Deborah Tarica, Suzi Barrett, Oscar Montoya, and Todd Fasen will all be assembling for a special virtual edition of what will be their 14th Annual Thanksgiving Show on their Twitch channel, twitch.tv/convoyimprov/, on Wed. Nov. 25th at 8PM PT/11PM ET. Forget all the holiday specials that are airing/streaming and get in on an actual Thanksgiving themed show on Thanksgiving Eve.

FYI, they’ll be taking donations for LA Regional Food Bank here, but you can go ahead and donate right now if you’d like.

Pick of the Day: Wild Horses with Special Guest Kate Moennig 12/5

November 5, 2020

News

erin whitehead, improv comedy, kate moennig, lauren lapkus, mary holland, stephanie allynne, wild horses

The ballots are still being counted and no matter who wins, Thanksgiving is very likely going to still be a turkey-scented nightmare this year (maybe more so than in 2016?). Overall, November is going to be a hell of a month to get through in an already hellish 2020.

That being said, at the top of December, a very special performance of Wild Horses, one of the best improv groups in existence thanks to its brilliant, inspiring, clever, honest, and hilarious members Lauren Lapkus, Stephanie Allynne, Mary Holland, and Erin Whitehead, awaits us all. Wild Horses will be doing an exclusive live-stream show via Dynasty Typewriter that will feature very special guest, Kate Moennig (The L Word) on Sat. Dec. 5th at 5PM PT/8PM ET.

Tickets are $5-$10 and you ought to go snag some in case they sell out (Wild Horses routinely sold out all their performances in the before times, FYI). Do so here.

#Pick of the Day: Lapkus and Tompkins of the Dead 10/5

October 1, 2020

News

dynasty typewriter, improv comedy, lauren lapkus, long form improv, paul f tompkins

Well, October is here and it would only be appropriate if we hipped you to a spooky comedy event, especially since trick or treating and your traditional overcrowded Halloween party seems like a bad idea.

So, this coming Monday, Oct. 5th at 5PM PT/8PM ET, two of the most brilliant improvisers around, Lauren Lapkus and Paul F. Tompkins, will perform a set of long form improv as a duo that is taking on a bit of that said spooky theme for this evening is being coined as Lapkus and Tompkins of the Dead. The show will be a live-stream presented by the one and only Dynasty Typewriter and tickets for said show are only $5-$10.

You can and very much should snag them up here.

The PIT’s 10th Annual Indie-Pendence Day Improv Fest Is Another Festival Going Virtual and Is Taking Submissions

May 29, 2020

News

comedy festival, improv comedy, nyc, virtual festival

For much of the world, festivals are still far off from happening and, as such, many of them are opting to go virtual instead of just postponing until next year. NYC’s The PIT‘s is opting for the virtual option with their annual 10th Annual Indie-Pendence Day Improv Fest, which will be streaming on July 4th (which will be nice especially if you’re worried about folks overdoing their 4th of July gathering).

They’ve partnered with @sociallydistantimprov, & @studentdriverimprov to put the entire online version of this Indie-Pendence Day Improv Fest and, yes, they’re taking submissions and, yes, they’re open to teams from anywhere and everywhere!

The deadline to submit your team will be Sun. Jun. 14th 9AM PT/12PM PT.

Get more details and submit here.

Pick of the Day: Wild Horses 5/29

May 26, 2020

News

erin whitehead, improv comedy, lauren lapkus, mary holland, stephanie allynne, virtual improv

It pretty much goes without saying that Mary Holland, Lauren Lapkus, Erin Whitehead, and Stephanie Allynne comprise one of the best improv groups in the country with Wild Horses. Maintaining residencies at both Largo and UCB here in LA as well as doing one-offs whenever their individually busy tours would allow, the long form improv experience of Wild Horses, often done as “The Perspective” (long form improv done after a check-in with all of the team and a guest), was so high in demand leaving their shows often sold out well in advance.

Now that UCB is picking up their live-stream schedule, Wild Horses rides again, albeit virtually, for your enjoyment during quarantine. Tune in Fri. May 29th at 7PM PT/10pM ET at UCB’s YouTube channel for FREE to catch this special live-stream performance.

Pick of the Day: Pretty Pretty Pony with Tony Hale

April 13, 2020

News

cole stratton, comedy show, improv comedy, joey greer, live comedy, long form improv, pretty pretty pony, tony hale, vanessa ragland, westside comedy theater

Throughout our tenure, Pretty, Pretty Pony has been one of our favorite improv groups throughout LA’s vast collection of improv teams (we even picked them for one of our annual 100 Best Things in Comedy We Were Witness To in No Particular Order).

Housed at Santa Monica’s Westside Comedy Theater, they were occupying a monthly slot featuring great guest monologists and a razor sharp team of some of the best improvisers around.

That would include:
Chris Alvarado (Comedy Bang! Bang!/Heyday)
Joey Greer (Mission IMPROVable/Bear Supply)
Vanessa Ragland (Pop My Culture Podcast/Ragland & Greer)
Ed Roe (The Best Man/Queen George)
Atul Singh (Mission IMPROVable/Westside Sketch Co.)
Cole Stratton (Pop My Culture Podcast/SF Sketchfest)

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the Westside Comedy Theater to temporarily close its door, but Pretty, Pretty Pony will keep the show going with one fantastic guest, Tony Hale (Veep, Arrested Development), this Fri. Apr. 17th on WCT’s Twitch channel. The show is free to watch, but they’ll be taking donations for the theater via voluntary ticket purchase here.

Get Your First Look at Middleditch and Schwartz’s Improv Specials Coming to Netflix

April 7, 2020

News

ben schwartz, comedy special, improv comedy, improvisational comedy, long form improv, netflix, thomas middleditch

When it comes to televised improv, all that most people have seen or known about is the short form improv institution that is Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Yet, Middleditch & Schwartz might just get to that status very soon. The duo made up of Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz have toured together around the globe as, perhaps, one of the most successful long form improvisational comedy acts of all time, creating hysterical scenes and having a solid, surprising narrative arcs seemingly out of nowhere.

So, Middleditch & Schwartz are about to make television history with a full-fledged long form improv (scenes get improvised just off a suggestion versus short form improv that relies on very specific games that have very specific rules to improvise through) comedy special. That comes after reaching milestones like having continuously sold-out performances at Largo, touring everywhere, and playing Carnegie Hall.

Seeing how they’ll make that translate into a comedy special given the ephemeral nature of improv will undoubtedly be fascinating (and probably why they’re releasing three performances of them). You can get your first look at what that might look like with this trailer here, then look for them to drop on Tues., Apr. 21st on Netflix.

March 3, 2020

Uncategorized

comedy shows, david x cohen, futurama, improv comedy, long form improv, los angeles, santa monica

Pretty, Pretty Pony is and has been, hands down, one of our favorite improv groups amidst the ever-multiplying number of improv teams in and throughout LA. You should always catch their monthly residency where they do improv based off of a monologist’s stories at the Westside Comedy Theater for their high-level, yet subversive long form improv done exquisitely by a cast of Cole Stratton, Joey Greer, Vanessa Ragland, Ed Roe, Atul Singh, Chris Alvarado.

This edition of Pretty, Pretty Pony is especially special as their guest monologist is none other than David X. Cohen who has brought us one of the more fun visions of the future with Futurama. Undoubtedly, his stories of his own past ought to be something pretty special too.

Tickets are only $6 and you can (and should) get them here.

December 24, 2019

Uncategorized

boxing day, comedy show, ed roe, improv comedy, jim woods, los angeles, ucb, will hines

Basically, some of the best improvisers in town will not only be in town, but will be doing one of the daftest forms of improv ever conceived and we’re down for it.

Will Hines, who we love for intentionally doing bad guitar solos with a great backing band, indeed will be doing improv with boxing gloves and perhaps questionable British accents (and one legit one) as play off of the UK’s Boxing Day the day after Christmas and we’re sure this will be a wonderful offering of top shelf silliness.

For our money, Boxing Day Improv at UCB Franklin is the perfect follow-up for that post-Christmas haze. Get tickets here.

November 26, 2019

Uncategorized

black friday, black metal, comedy shows, improv comedy, los angeles, ucb

Again, some of the coolest things at UCB these days often happen past your bedtime and this Black Metal themed improv show is just one of those things.

Taking a pun on the massive American shopping day known as “Black Friday”, some of UCB’s best improvisers will be let the darkness of black metal fuel what should be hysterical chaos wrought there on the UCB Franklin stage.

Also, we’re confident this will be much more fun than standing in line for deals on electronics at big box stores.

Black Metal Friday is set for this Friday Nov. 29th at 11:59PM at UCB Franklin and tickets are only $7. Go get ‘em here and get ready to delve into the black metal void (in a long form improv sense) this weekend.

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