ucb – The Comedy Bureau

Pick of the Day: Brent Weinbach: Popular Culture Taping (in LA) 6/29

June 17, 2024

brent weinbach, stand up comedy, taping, ucb

Brent Weinbach has proven time and time again that he’s at the forefront of the art of comedy and he’s about to do so again at the end of this month.

The comedian who conjured up comedic brilliance by impersonating an audience member crying or coming up with Gangster Party Line or perfecting what very much seems like conducting a comedy laboratory on stage, but it all go exactly according to plan is recording his very next special. Weinbach will be taping Popular Culture at UCB Franklin on Saturday, June 29th at 7PM and 9:30PM. Tickets for the early show are already sold out, but you can still snag some late show tickets if you act fast and have $15 on you (which, for this, you should).

Go get ’em here.

Natasha Vaynblat: Childless Freak (in LA) 5/21

April 22, 2024

News

los angeles comedy, natasha vaynblat, solo show, stand up comedy, ucb

Following a humdinger of a debut stand-up album, We’re All Dads Here, NYC’s Natasha Vaynblat is onwards to a brand new hour, this time focused on the beautiful idea of not having kids (should be such a more popular notion these days, to be honest).

And, as a bonus, Vaynblat will be in LA to work on this hour as a treat for Angelenos that don’t have access to seeing her playful wit in action on a nightly basis. So, on Tues. May 21st at UCB Franklin, Natasha will be doing the gorgeously named Childless Freak with a trio of splendid openers, Sam Taggart, Alexa Loftus, and Ashley Brooke Roberts. Tickets are only $10 and you ought to get them here.

Pick of the Day: Podcast But Outside Presents: Hi! Be A Guest (in LA) 3/28

March 12, 2024

News

andrew michaan, cole hersch, la comedy, live podcast, podcast but outside, ucb

It has been a minute since one of the most subtly clever podcasts ever devised, Podcast But Outside, has popped up, but we’re happy to say that Andrew and Cole and Cam the Intern will be back at it, pulling passersby off the street for $1 to interview them in front of a live crowd, starting up again this month.

Armed with a table, chairs, some mics, and some of the fastest quips/comebacks, Andrew Michaan and Cole Hersch have built quite the chit chat podcast that’s very possible for interviewing strangers on a podcast. Just take a listen to Podcast But Outside if you haven’t binged/done a deep already.

Their first live inside show in awhile will be at UCB Franklin come Thurs. Mar. 28th at 9PM. Tickets are $15 and you can (and should) go get them here.

TCB Debriefing 11/20/23: Rachel Kaly, Tina Friml, Abso/UCB, Harley Quinn, Blair Socci

November 20, 2023

News

absolutely productions, blair socci, harley quinn, rachel kaly, Tina Friml, tonight show, ucb

1. Forget the lauded documentary Comedian, Rachel Kaly’s ATTN: CONAN O’BRIEN, a short film following her attempting to get on Conan via doing her jokes she did as a child in this NYC pay-to-play scheme (but doing so as an adult), is the thing to watch to capture “the journey” to “making it”.

2. Let the world know the true delight that is Tina Friml has arrived (via the Tonight Show).

3. Abso (otherwise known as Abso Lutely Productions, the birthplace of Tim & Eric Awesome Show) will now be under the same umbrella, often collaborating in their efforts of fostering and developing the “most adventurous” comedy, especially when it comes to UCB’s live stages in LA and the-soon-to-open NYC location. Hopefully, this means, they’ll have an updated Abso x UCB hoodie that every comedy nerd will own.

4. Harley Quinn, a heralded animated series that somehow still seems unheralded, is renewed for its fifth season. Guess some good stuff can get past David Zaslav? (via Variety)

5. TCB favorite Blair Socci is going to release her very first special, Live from the Big Dogs, on Dec. 1st via a brand new streaming platform, Veeps. You can buy a digital ticket to the premiere for $14.99 here.

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A post shared by Veeps (@veeps)

6. We’ll leave you with this: may we all have as much honesty in our lives as the track titles from André 3000’s instrumental record that just came out.

Pick of the Day: All for Armenia Live Comedy Fundraiser (in LA) 11/3

October 20, 2023

News

armenia, benefit show, fundraiser, los angeles comedy, stand up comedy, ucb

The world isn’t technically at war, but it’s hard to feel like that the whole of the planet is even remotely close to being at peace. One could spin a globe with eyes closed and probably land on a location rife with violent conflict. As such, supporting any and all of the humanitarian aid you can, wherever it may be, is crucial.

That’s why James Adomian is leading a benefit for All for Armenia at UCB on Fri. Nov. 3rd at 10pm, since the horror in Armenia perpetrated by Azerbaijan still continues with ethnic cleansing of Armenians living in the surrendered territory of Artsakh (though you wouldn’t know it from the news).

Joining Adomian is a very stacked line-up of Reggie Watts, Phil Hendrie, Chris Estrada, Alyssa Limperis, Mary Basmadjian, and Nate Craig all for the nice price of $15 (right now). 100% of ticket sales go to All for Armenia.

Go get tix here before they inevitably sell out and, if you’re feeling generous, directly donate to All for Armenia.

Pick of the Day: Blacula (in LA) 10/24

October 16, 2023

News

blacula, halloween, improv, la comedy, ucb

Halloween is just two weeks and change away and a whole slew of Halloween themed comedy shows are about to take over any and all comedy venues (and you absolutely should take make the most of the horror/comedy combo while you can).

Case in point, some of UCB’s best black improvisers are going to do their own improvised versions of vampire lore/cinema/TV the week before Halloween. Appropriately called Blacula, the likes of Shakira Paye, Carl Tart, Moni Oyedepo, Jerah Milligan, X Mayo, Corin Wells, Jacquis Neal, Lamar Woods, Blake Edwards, and Ashley Parchment will give you the flip of what has been predominantly a white subgenre (except for Blade and the latest Interview with the Vampire?). If they end up improvising the infamous baseball scene from Twilight, the audience ought to pay more than the $10 that this show costs.

Blacula is set for Tues. 10/24 at 10PM. You very much can (and should) go get your tickets here.

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.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 172: JoAnn Schinderle & Being an Upright Citizen

July 12, 2023

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

emmys, joann schinderle, ucb

It’s kind of a sweet spot if you, as a comedian, can have your day job also be in comedy. JoAnn Schinderle has managed to land there with being the Venue Manager at UCB Franklin in addition to being a wonderful stand-up in the LA scene (and even making some dough from commissioned erotic fiction). Switching gears between all three and whatever falls in between can be a challenge, which is why we talk to her all about how she pulls it off (as well as what’s going on behind-the-scenes at Upright Citizens Brigade these days).

Also, “hot”/hot takes on this year’s Emmy nominees.

Follow JoAnn @joann.schinderle on IG

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

Pick of the Day: You’re Cordially Invited (in LA) 7/7

July 5, 2023

News

lexie koss, lilliana winkworth, los angeles comedy, ucb, wedding season

We’re in the thick of wedding season and this is a great opportunity to not only see the nuptials of a couple sanctifying their love under the eyes of the government, but also hear a bunch of speeches from, very likely, a whole host of people who have public speaking as one of their greatest fears.

With that in mind, a bunch of UCB folks led by Lexie Koss and Lilliana Winkworth will be highlighting the comedy gold that so often is presented with earnest, but misguided attempts at celebrating newlyweds with improvised wedding speeches (based off suggestions) at a new show at UCB Franklin, You’re Cordially Invited. Speakers/players include Andrew Knox, Skarlett Redd, Elizabeth Andrews, Damon Royster, Sophie Delaney, Jess Uhler, Ellie Race-Moore, Paul Heredia, and Matt Newman and you should save this Fri. Jul. 7th at 10PM (and $10) to join in this improvised wedding party.

You can (and very much should) get your tickets for this momentous occasion here.

Upright Citizens Brigade Is Officially Reopening in NYC (Gramercy Park) This Fall

June 29, 2023

News

ucb, upright citizens brigade

It was only a few years ago when the fate of comedy juggernaut, The Upright Citizens Brigade, seemed vastly unsure. The COVID-19 Pandemic wreaked havoc throughout the comedy world, but it definitely forced UCB to reckon with how it extended itself and with its very own structure and integrity as a comedy institution/brand/school. In 2020, UCB was reduced to one physical venue, their original LA location in Franklin Village, then, subsequently, sold off as entire brand from the original UCB 4 to its current multi-party ownership.

By the end of the year, UCB will have two mainstay locations as they’ve officially locked in a lease at 242 E. 14th St., New York, New York. Yes, UCB NY will be a thing once more and brighter days are ahead (especially with UCB LA already having returning to their stacked 7-night-a-week programming and configuring a way to pay performers). That puts this new UCB in Gramercy Park, which is on a whole other side of Manhattan from Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen, former UCB locations. The old spot of UCB East won’t be too far as will NYC comedy havens, The Stand (just four blocks away) and Club Cumming (9 blocks away).

UCB aims to have shows going by this Fall and, with that in mind, are already taking submissions for their house teams including Harold (improv), Maude (sketch), and Betty (characters). Deadlines/dates are as follows:

Harold:
deadline to submit: 8/16
auditions: 9/21-24
callbacks: 9/29-10/1

Maude & Betty:
deadline to submit: 7/26
auditions: 8/23-8/27
callbacks: 9/8-9/10

Get more details and submit at ucbcomedy.com/auditions.

Otherwise, look forward to Manhattan getting a little less clubby in a few months.

Pick of the Day: CityWalk the Musical (in LA) 7/15 & 8/22

June 28, 2023

News

citywalk the musical, los angeles comedy, musical, ucb

CityWalk, adjacent to Universal Studios Hollywood, is one of the stranger haunts of LA in that one can’t be quite sure if it’s designed for tourists or for those Angelenos that are looking for a off-beat corporate-ish shopping experience that’s outside of Universal Studios.

It’s this strangeness that is tapped for the engrossing and hilarious musical from UCB house team Moon Goon that dives head first into the real life uncanny valley of retail that is CityWalk (through the lens of a rom com to boot). The very first run of CityWalk the Musical sold out at UCB and, thankfully, Moon Goon and UCB are doing a couple more performances in the coming months.

Specifically, you can catch what might be the most LA-centric musical on Sat. Jul. 15th & Tues. Aug. 22nd at 7PM. Tickets are $20 and you best snag them up quick before they sell out again.

Pick of the Day: WGA Strike/Entertainment Community Fund Comedy Benefits (in LA & NYC)

May 16, 2023

News

dynasty typewriter, entertainment community fund, los angeles comedy, new york comedy, planet showbiz, ucb, wga strike, writer's strike

All signs point towards the Writers’ Strike lasting for quite some time. Don’t be surprised if this one goes as long as the last one (more than a couple months) or even longer.

As such, more support will be needed for many TV/movie writers who primary source of income will be on, shall we say, on hiatus for quite some time. Many a comedy writer is affected in this strike and, thankfully, there are plenty of benefits for the Entertainment Community Fund that will be supporting said comedy writers and writers of all ilks coming up.

Three in mind have caught our attention between LA and NYC.

On Wed. 5/17 at 8:30PM, UCB Franklin in LA will have writers from the likes of A.P. Bio, Ted Lasso, Never Have I Ever, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Loot, and New Girl do an improvised writers room. Cast includes Beth Appel, Phil Augusta Jackson, Kassia Miller, Zeke Nicholson, Mike O’Brien, Lamar Woods. All profits go to Entertainment Community Fund. Tickets are $15.

For Tues. 5/23 at 8:30PM ET, Planet Showbiz in NYC will be putting on a special showcase of Tonight Show writers bringing you their best jokes with all proceeds goin to the Entertainment Community Fund. More specficially Mike Drucker, Martin Urbano, Kylie Brakeman, Becky Krause, Brooks Allison, Zahid Dewji, and Mike Hanford are all on the bill. Tickets are $15.

Later this month, the cast and writers of dark horse reality/game show secret Jury Duty will be assembling to do a blend of stand-up and improv for the Entertainment Community Fund. That includes Susan Berger, David Brown, Kirk Fox, Marcos Gonzalez, Pramode Kumar, Brandon Loeser, Sheedz Olayiwola, Kerry O’Neill, Ben Seaward, and Ron Song all coming to Dynasty Typewriter in LA on Fri. May 26th @ 10:03PM PT. Tickets are once more $15.

Also, on 5/26, will be a stellar showcase of fantastic NYC comics who pay their bills as TV writers including Emmy Blontick, Karen Chee, Cole Escola, Larry Owens, Jes Tom, and Jeff Wright as well as music from Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner. Called Writers… On Stage?! No Way, it’s set for 7:30PM and tickets are $25.

Pick of the Day: Dr. Brown Beturns (in LA) 2/28

January 30, 2023

News

clowning, dr brown, los angeles comedy, ucb

When it comes to clowning in LA, the ever-burgeoning, exciting, rebellious corner of comedy that has sparked the imagination and inspiration of a growing number of performers and shows and venues, one of the bigger figures around is Dr. Brown (Phil Burgers). A perennial international comedy award winner at such prestigious festivals as the Edinburgh Fringe and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Dr. Brown was and is a big part of clowning now being an integral part of the LA comedy scene.

That said, it has been quite some time since he’s down his own show. It has been years (even before COVID probably?) since that has happened.

Thankfully, the tides are changing and Dr. Brown is venturing out once again, often at PDA in Altadena, but specifically at UCB Franklin on Tues. Feb. 28th at 8:30PM for the aptly named Dr. Brown Beturns. Tickets are $20 and you’re going to want to snag them before they sell out here.

Pick of the Day: The Raggle Taggle Dance Hour with Kat Burns (in LA) 11/17

November 16, 2022

News

alana johnston, bonnie mckee, jackie johnson, kat burns, katie malia, los angeles comedy, tony rodriguez, ucb

Though many comedians are stricken with two left feet, there are a good many comedy folks that can bust a move. Few such people are as accomplished as the critically acclaimed/award winning comedy/dance choreographer Kat Burns (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Key & Peele, and Wet Hot American Summer to just name a few).

Burns started to put on a dance comedy showcase at UCB just before lockdown called The Raggle Taggle Dance Hour and it was one of the more astounding things we’ve seen as it ranged from top tier dancing of all kinds, but done with a comedic flair that you pretty much never get a live comedy show (especially since we’re thousands of miles away from Broadway).

The first Raggle Taggle Dance Hour with Kat Burns since UCB went dark because of COVID-19 is this Thurs. Nov. 17th at 8:30PM and you really ought to not miss it (tickets are still available at $15 a pop). Joining Burns as the Raggle Taggalongs will be Alana Johnston, Smac, Katie Malia, Tony Rodriguez, Kent Boyd, Jackie Johnson, Vladislav Kvartin, Bonnie McKee, Gabrielle Ruiz, Scott Michael Foster, Annie Lester, Liv Mai, Joshua Parker Joseph Corella, Kent Boyd, Shea Saulino, and Brandon O’Neil as well as Coincidance, a musical improv team comprised of Philip Labes, Greg Smith, Elli Sherrer, Taryn Leggett, and Daryl Jim Diaz.

So, clear your scheduled for tomorrow and go get your tickets now.

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.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 105: Gianmarco Soresi & Doing the Soderbergh

March 30, 2022

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

chris rock, gianmarco soresi, the slap, ucb, will smith

Love it or hate it (and so many people hate it while being obsessed with it), social media has become throughly woven into the fabric of comedy. Gianmarco Soresi has not only honed his skills as a stand-up and sketch comedian as well as storyteller and podcaster, but meticulously and tirelessly built up a very enviable social media following (across all the platforms to boot) on top of that. Gianmarco joins TCB’s Jake Kroeger to dissect how to balance purely doing the craft of stand-up versus feeding the beast of social media, somewhat like Steven Soderbergh’s noted strategy of doing one film for the studios and doing one for him.

Also, of course, we talk about Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock as well as the return of UCB (under new ownership)

Follow Gianmarco on all things @gianmarcosoresi

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: SF Sketchfest’s Festpocalypse 1/30

It’s the first day of 2021 even though it feels like 2020 is still going on and doing it’s terrible, terrible thing, you can, if you’re up for it, try to start the year anew.

In that regard, we’d like to remind you of the first real big comedy event of the year (it’s still virtual, FYI): SF Sketchfest’s Festpocalypse. Coming in at the end of January right around when SF Sketchfest, one of the world’s biggest comedy festivals would normally happen, Festpocalypse will be a virtual event at a proportion that SF Sketchfest hasn’t ever done. Just take a gander at that line-up on the flyer. Even though it’s taking place over one day only, it really is a bill that they’d have at their normally scheduled, three week comedy festival extravaganza that takes over San Francisco.

Also, you should note that Festpocalypse is a fundraiser for SF Sketchfest to keep going in the future when doing a big time festival will be allowed.

Festpocalypse is set for Jan. 30th and will begin streaming at 5PM PT/8PM ET. Tickets start at only $20, but go up if you want to snag some merch. Go get them here.

UCB Sells Off Sunset Location, Plans to Keep UCB Franklin Going

December 24, 2020

News

closure, covid-19 closure, ucb, ucb franklin, ucb sunset, upright citizens brigade

Just announced last night, The UCB4 (Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, and Ian Roberts) announced the closure and sale of the second LA based home of the Upright Citizens Brigade located near Thai Town on Sunset Blvd. The massive complex was bought and refurbished from an abandoned rehab center six years ago and represents a big step forward for UCB as a theater, institution, and company. There were three stories that housed a main stage, a training center, studios for film/video/podcast, cafe, lounge/second stage, and valet parking.

It was a big undertaking for UCB, but it was a bright, shiny, new home for one of the most recognizable brands for comedy in the country. The ever-enduring COVID-19 pandemic has forced a sale and subsequent closure of the theater since mortgage payments couldn’t be made with only so much revenue coming in from virtual classes (especially as it it’s still very murky as to when and how live venues will be allowed and have guidance to safely reopen).

Fortunately, UCB plans to keep their longstanding first location on Franklin Ave, the tiny black box theater that is just the main stage and nothing else, open as they also transition to a non-profit. If UCB Franklin does manage to reopen on the other side of COVID-19, it will be the Upright Citizens Brigade’s only physical location (down from 3 & 1/2 of them pre-pandemic).

While it had to go through its own shake-up and reckoning earlier this year to rid itself of toxic practices and institute true inclusion and diversity, UCB still represents a major pillar in comedy and we can only hope that it will keep getting to fulfill that role going into the future.

An update from the UCB4 pic.twitter.com/QN1lmjvHle

— UCB Theatre LA (@ucbtla) December 24, 2020

Pick of the Day: ASSSSCAT for Charity 5/1-5/2

April 30, 2020

News

amy poehler, andy daly, asssscat, bobby moynihan, d'arcy carden, ian roberts, jon gabrus, lauren lapkus, lennon parham, matt besser, matt walsh, rob corddry, ucb

ASSSSCAT, the marquee show for the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatres across the country, is returning to do their signature long form improv show via a YouTube live-stream over four different shows this weekend for four separate worthy charities.

No matter where or when ASSSSCAT was happening, it was always sold out back when it happened in person. For this special charity, live-stream edition, you will have to get your chance to see UCB’s best without having worry about buying tickets weeks in advance or standing hours in a line. Also, it’s heartening to see ASSSSCAT is back after the closures of UCB Hell’s Kitchen and the NYC training center.

The teams, as you can see below, makes for a star studded affair. All of the founding UCB 4 (Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh, and Ian Roberts) are slated to perform throughout the four shows in addition to Bobby Moynihan, Ego Nwodim, D’Arcy Carden, Lauren Lapkus, Carl Tart, Seth Morris, Andy Daly, Lennon Parham, Jessica St. Clair, Sean Conroy, Eugene Cordero, Anthony Atamanuik, Jon Gabrus, John Gemberling, and so much more.

The four shows happening on Fri. May 1st & Sat. May 2nd will be dedicated to raising funds for Frontline Responders Fund, Project C.U.R.E., NYC Mayor’s Fund: Food For Heroes, and LA COVID-19 Crisis Fund.

By the way, they’re all scheduled out so you’ll be able to watch them all. Tune in May 1st & May 2nd at both 5PM PT/8PM ET & 8PM PT/11PM ET on UCB’s YouTube channel here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 4: Debra DiGiovanni & Adaptation

April 22, 2020

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

amber preston, debra digiovanni, hbo, jackie and laurie show, just for laughs, livestream comedy, moontower comedy festival, run, seek treatment, sparkly parts, ucb, upright citizens brigade, zoom comedy

The wondrous and hysterical Canadian transplant Debra DiGiovanni and TCB’s Jake Kroeger have quite the hopeful chat about her numerous gigs doing live-streaming comedy in the last several weeks and how she might specifically imagine to take the stage again and what that might really look like (especially for someone who has played comedy venues of all sorts of sizes). Also, they touch upon the tragic closure of the Upright Citizens Brigade in NYC, the rescheduling of some major comedy festivals, as well as what’s new and/or noteworthy in comedy this week.

Follow Debra @debradg on Instagram & @debradigiovanni on Twitter. Tune in to her daily Instagram Live check-in show Afternoon Delight with Zach Noe Towers at 4PM PT via her Instagram handle. 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

UCB Hell’s Kitchen and NYC Training Center Are Permanently Closing

April 21, 2020

News

ucb, upright citizens brigade

(via Vulture)

Announced today via e-mail by UCB, The Upright Citizens Brigade’s venue in Hell’s Kitchen and their dedicated NYC Training Center will stay closed once the stay-at-home/lockdown orders are lifted in NYC. As an organization, it apparently became too much of a financial stress on their entire organization during this pandemic to keep all of their schools and theaters afloat while they are relying pretty much on online classes right now to pay their leases. It’s truly heartbreaking to hear of these closures as the Upright Citizens Brigade made their bones with their own theater first in NYC and now there is no brick and mortar UCB venue in the five boroughs.

The fate of the rest of UCB, which includes the LA theaters and schools at UCB Franklin and UCB Sunset have yet to be officially determined (though we wouldn’t be surprised to see UCB revert to operating solely out of UCB Franklin if they have to have to keep cutting costs to save the entirety of Upright Citizens Brigade).

A comment was added that the closures of the NYC venues doesn’t mean that UCB’s presence in NYC is over, but to what that might specifically mean in the future is unclear at this time, especially with UCB already having lots of financial strain before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States.

We will keep you updated more on the status of UCB’s venues as we hear and we can only hope that other comedy clubs, theaters, schools will get to stay open when all of this is over.

February 27, 2020

Uncategorized

book of mormon, comedy show, improv, los angeles, musical comedy, ucb, upright citizens brigade

Perhaps a ticket to the current run of Book of Mormon at The Ahmanson (starts at $45) is a little too steep for you right now? Maybe you’ve seen the national touring cast of Book of Mormon in tip top form, but would like to see what else they have up their sleeve outside of the groundbreaking musical?

In either case, there’s something that’s perfect on the horizon for both sorts of folks next month. That national touring cast of Book of Mormon and many of UCB’s very best will be going head-to-head in a show that runs them through the gauntlet of improv, bits, musical comedy, and more!

You’ll get the best of so many worlds in one show and all for the nice price of $14. Book of Mormon vs. UCB @ UCB Sunset is set for Mon. Mar. 9th at 8PM and you best get your tickets real quick right here.

February 21, 2020

Uncategorized

beth stelling, comedy show, los angeles, stand up comedy, ucb

The charisma and warmth of Beth Stelling is undeniable (see her recent Kimmel set for proof) and has been for years. That’s part of why she is getting to tape an hour special for HBO Max coming up very soon.

So, next month, Thurs. Mar. 5th at 9:30PM at UCB Franklin, you’ll not only get a chance to see the oh-so-wondrous Beth get to do an hour, (a rarity for any comic in LA), but you’ll get to see her run that hour for said special.

We highly encourage you to be in attendance for this at the hallowed comedy grounds that are UCB Franklin. It’s very likely that this will be the most intimate space you’ll get to see Beth’s new hour in. Tickets are $9 and you can and very much should get them here.

January 16, 2020

Uncategorized

black belt test, comedy, comedy show, experimental comedy, kimia behpoornia, live comedy, martial arts, ucb

Kimia Behpoornia has been a go-to performer for UCB for many years now, whether it be improv or sketch or whatever other crazy thing they come up with.

While it’s worth catching her on Harold or Maude Night or Great Sketch!, the idea that she’s actually going to test for her black belt as a comedy show has our interest beyond peaked.

That’s right, Kimia will be doing a martial arts test at UCB Sunset at the end of the month and our minds are racing as to figure out what could possibly happen ((notice how she’s even credited as a Black Belt Candidate as opposed to cast, writer, etc.).

We’re sure there’s a whole other bevy of surprises for Kimia Tests for Her Blackbelt: LIVE (as many other go-to UCB performers are on the bill), but the testing for the black belt itself ought to be something special.

So, Kimia Tests for Her Blackbelt: LIVE is set for Wed. Jan. 29th at 10:30PM. Tickets are $7 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.

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