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June 4, 2009
Derrick Leaves for Los Angeles
It wasn't too long ago that the members of Derrick donned mortars and tassels from NYU. Today, they're graduating from New York. Within a few robust years, the core members of the group, DC Pierson, Donald Glover, and Dominic Dierkes, emerged from the Wicked Wicked Hammerkatz like a gushing force of forward motion. They've won Emmys and ECNYs, wrote a book, made a movie, became YouTube idols, nearly became president of SNL, and tended the UCBT bar. Is there anything left to do besides get rich in LA, knock some ladies up, and buy one of those sweet Malibu dreamhouses that get burned down by the Santa Ana winds? (No.)
While packing his things, DC Pierson had time to tap out what @seanoconnz has called "the best love letter to NY ive ever read." A highlight:
Some towns you could live in for years and never have the place ask anything of you and never have it bestow anything on you either. You and the town will just nod at each other out of obligation while one of you is entering and one of you is leaving the gas station. And you will look up and not be able to tell what day or even what year it is. In New York it's always aggressively today. I think it's today here before it's today anywhere else, regardless of time zone. I really do. [Read the rest.]
The other Derrick members, director Dan Eckman and producer Meggie McFadden, will also be making the move.
So long, Derrick!
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 3:00 PM | Comments (0)
May 1, 2009
SketchFest NYC 2009 - Full Lineup Announced
Sketchfest NYC -- a festival and showcase of the best sketch comedy groups around the world -- enters its 5th spectacular year. The show is June 11th through the 13th and the lineup was just announced.
FULL SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES FOR SKETCHFEST NYC
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
7pm: Blitzkrieg + Sidecar, Featuring College Humor TV
8pm: Team Submarine + Kurt & Kristen, Featuring Front Page Films
9pm: The Apple Sisters
10pm: Rue Brutalia
11pm: A Week of Kindness + Murderfist, Featuring The Imponderables
Midnight: Olde English presents Very Fresh
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
7pm: BriTANick
8pm: The Money Kids + Pangea 3000, Featuring Scott Gairdner
9pm: Harvard Sailing Team + The Riot Act, Featuring Escape Pod Films
10pm: The 3rd Floor
11pm: Kevin McDonald's Hammy and the Kids
Midnight: The Rejection Show
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
Noon: Striking Viking Story Pirates
2pm: The College Humor Show
4pm: Inside Joke: An Evening of Lies
6pm: Free Love Forum + BOF, Featuring BriTANick
7pm: The Story Pirates present Found Magazine + The New Exc!tement, Featuring Scott Gairdner
8pm: Steve & Jordan
9pm: Summer of Tears
10pm: Elephant Larry
11pm: Fearsome
Midnight: SketchFest NYC's Closing Night Craptacular
One of the things we love about SketchFest NYC is that not a single one of the shows is a stinker. The fest glistens with quality--it's truly one of the premiere comedy events in the city, heck, North America. The summer can't get here soon enough. Full press release after the jump!
Continue reading "SketchFest NYC 2009 - Full Lineup Announced"
Posted by keithhuang in Sketch at 3:03 PM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2008
The Apple Sisters Finale
By: Keith Huang
SO LONG, NEW YORK CITY! "There is definitely something magical about the girls and the people they've surrounded themselves with that seems to always make the show a success (even when it's a clusterfuck)." --Andy Costello
Like all things good, sweet and delicious, The Apple Sisters must come to an end. On Tuesday, comedy all-star Kimmy Gatewood (Cora Apple) heads to Los Angeles, while prankster and improv expert Rebekka Johnson (Candy Apple) will follow suit in February. Sarah Lowe (Seedy Apple) left last month to perform in the Las Vegas production of "Jersey Boys."
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Since February 2007, The Apiary has watched the Sisters rise in the New York sketch-comedy scene, and we were there when they won the 2007 ECNY award for Best Musical Comedy Act. And while we're sad to see them go, we understand the importance of seeking new opportunities.
So to celebrate The Apple Sisters' commencement and to take a look back at the fun (and messy) times, The Apiary turned to the lesser-known, but equally important, group of gentlemen we're calling "The Apple Brothers" -- Andy Costello, Andy Hertz, Tom Ridgely and Jeff Solomon.
These four lads worked behind-the-scenes -- and behind the piano -- to help stage more than a dozen different Apple Sisters shows and to help them put their trademark Apple-shine on each and every performance.
ANDY COSTELLO, Assistant Director
How would you describe the time you have spent working with The Apple Sisters?
I've been working with the Apple Sisters for about a year now and watching them put together a show: write the script, the lyrics and music, choreograph the dances -- sometimes in just a matter of a week -- has been some of the most fun I've ever had.
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The first show of each run often feels like one of those planes from the early 1900s that have eight wings stacked on top of one another, and bicycle wheels attached with catgut, and a hole in the bottom that the pilot's legs dangle through. You look at it and say, "That will never fly." But their shows always end up flying. There is definitely something magical about the girls and the people they've surrounded themselves with that seems to always make the show a success (even when it's a clusterfuck).
Continue reading "The Apple Sisters Finale
By: Keith Huang"
Posted by keithhuang in Sketch at 11:01 AM | Comments (5)
June 9, 2008
Inside With: Backpack Picnic
With roughly half its members living in Austin, Texas, and the other half based in Southern California, the sketch troupe Backpack Picnic have decided to convene somewhere that's inconvenient for everybody. They're hauling themselves to Manhattan to be a part of SketchFest NYC, June 12-14th at The UCBT. We chatted with Mitch Baker, BP's dignified spokesperson, for the first in an EXCLUSIVE week-long Q&A series profiling some of the stars of the fest.
What's your story, Backpack Picnic?
David Bewley and I have worked together on stage for about 12 years now; we started our first troupe in Oklahoma, and eventually wound up in Austin together. We founded a 2-man group there, called The Edmond Bulldogs, specifically so we could perform in the Out Of Bounds comedy festival, produced by Jeremy Lamb (and later, Shannon McCormick). We soon invited Jeremy and Shannon to be our go-to guys whenever a sketch called for it. Rene Pinnell, already an accomplished director in Austin circles, saw us at the festival, and asked to film some of our material.
This eventually led to an MTV sketch pilot, but the network passed on it. "Too smart for the demographic," they said. So, Rene showed the pilot to the good folks at ON Networks.com and they ordered 30 short films (!), which we produced under the name "Backpack Picnic" to avoid any legal issues with MTV. This sorta framed us as a 5-man troupe, with René directing all the shorts. When we finally took to the stage again, the new name stuck. I'm pretty sure we're the most Frankensteiny troupe-deal ever.
How would you describe your group?
Absurdist. But not aimless. Commandingly unassuming? I always had the most respect for, and got the most enjoyment from, comedy that was simultaneously stupid and smart: Monty Python, The Kids In The Hall, Mr. Show, Smack The Pony, The Mighy Boosh. They're ridiculous, but also perfectly reasonable.
How do your sketches go from an idea to the stage?
Jeremy and Shannon have contributed, too, so I will speak for myself on this one. I sorta watch every sketch in my head while I'm writing it. It's almost like editing, but there's infinite footage. Then, we read through it and cast it (usually online, since 2 of us live in LA and 2 live in Austin), then we run it as much as we can the day of the show. We definitely tweak stuff as we go, too; actually, I've tweaked right up to curtain before, and occasionally during the show. I think it's good to change up consistently successful bits, too. Nothing's sacred. We're actually gonna retire one of our standards at Sketchfest and make room for new.
Who are you most excited to see this year at SketchFest?
Kurt & Kristen. I fricking love Penelope: Princess of Pets. Ooh, and The Apple Sisters... always funny. Honestly, I'll be excited to see ANYone at this festival. Some of the most fun you can have is ignorantly stumbling into a random show that fits your schedule and finding some troupe that shifts your thinking.
Any other news we should know?
Backpack Picnic just finished shooting our own half-hour narrative comedy, about 4 friends named Ricky who live together in a fort they built when they were 10. Now they're in their 30s, and one of them is a bicycle. "Fort Ricky" will be up at onnetworks.com in a month or so, alongside our shorter films.
Jeremy Lamb and Shannon McCormick are producing the Out Of Bounds comedy festival in Austin, TX this summer. That it is always a blast, brimming with local and national talent, and very solidly produced. Maria Bamford is kicking it off this year!
Rene Pinnell recently completed a feature-length documentary "The King Of Texas" about his uncle, Austin's legendary filmmaker Eagle Pennell. Later this Summer, Watchmaker Films will release it on a 2 DVD set, along with Eagle's first film "The Whole Shooting Match".
I also make stuff for Super Deluxe with my other troupe, Onesie, which is a 3-man production team. Super Deluxe is scheduled to fold into adultswim.com, but we're hopeful that we can continue over there, maybe.
Lastly, I wrote for and co-starred in a 6-part faux-Britcom series called "Commonwealth Flats" with Leon & Andy. They got a few Mr. Show alums to step into some supporting roles, and they'll begin pitching the edited project to networks this summer!
Backpack Picnic performs at SketchFest NYC this Friday at 9PM.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 4:08 PM | Comments (0)
March 6, 2008
Sketchfest NYC 2008 Now Accepting Applications
The 4th Annual SketchFest NYC makes its splashy return this June. Applications are being accepted right now. From the official SketchFest NYC site:
After three years of sold out shows, standing ovations, and critical acclaim, we are looking to do it all over again with the best groups from NYC and around the globe!In addition to the bringing NYC the best live sketch comedy in the world, this year we will be accepting applications from groups who work primarily in film or video.
Also new this year, we will be holding Live Applications in New York City. These showcases are for groups that feel their show is best represented live or don't have the means to put together a suitable demo. All Live Application slots will be on a first come first serve basis. If you are interested in a slot, please email info@sketchfestnyc.com. You will need to bring a completed application, including all related materials, to the audition. You will be given an 8 minute slot with basic lights and sound if needed. No video will be available.
Download the application form HERE
A couple of fun tidbits we learned...
--SketchFest producer Becky Poole up and moved to Seattle a few months ago. A source close to Poole says she loves it. No word yet on how she got her saw past airport security.
--We hear that SketchFest will likely be returning to the UCBT!
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 4:15 PM | Comments (1)
February 8, 2008
So Long, Slightly Known People
After reporting yesterday that Slightly Known People would be finishing its run at Rififi tomorrow, the group released a memo a few hours later with one additional detail:
Hello, SKP Friends;As you may or may not remember from last week's e-blast, this Saturday will see the end of our 2+ year run at Rififi.
But what we haven't told you before is this:
It will also be our last show.
The group requests you join them for one final hurrah after their show. Farewell, SKP. We're spinning this terribly sad song for you.
Full memo after the hump.
Continue reading "So Long, Slightly Known People"
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:53 PM | Comments (3)
June 27, 2007
Short Circuitz Scoops Up City's Sketch Groups
As rumored two weeks ago, we've learned RENAISSANCE MAN Nick Cannon and his Short Circuitz production staff have indeed been courting area sketch groups for their funny mpegs. To date, we've discovered that STARS OF NVW like Better Than the Machine, Isaac and Molly, and A Week of Kindness all have spots that have been featured or will be featured on upcoming episodes.
In fact, this Thursday, AWOK is going to be airing an edit of their classic, The Profane Gourmet. The sketch is gonna be edited to squeak past standards, so if you're craving some awesome cussing right now and can't wait until tomorrow, check out the original here.
RELATED
The OFFICIAL Short Circuitz Web Portal
Short Circuitz Wants Your Best Parody!
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 12:18 PM | Comments (1)
June 7, 2007
2007 SketchFest NYC News & Buzz - Volume 2
SketchFest NYC begins TONIGHT! Catch up before the kick-off with this latest serving of gossip.
Fearsome - Friday @ 9PM
--Fearsome will be mixing sketches from their most recent show Gungrease together with some classics. (The return of Dino Gyno, perhaps?) How will they close the show? One report says it will end with a dance number inspired by Paula Abdul.
--You might recall Jaime Hayes, the maternity leave loving Fearsome member who traded blocking rehearsals for pram pushing. We intercepted this WORLD EXCLUSIVE photo of Jaime's baby, Christopher.
--IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING: It seems these Sketchfest vets are brimming with confidence this year because Shayna Ferm assured us, "FEARSOME is really looking forward to winning SketchfestNYC."
Dance Party of Newfoundland - Saturday @ 9PM
--The SFNY producers must've been quite impressed by The Dance Party of New Foundland's performances at recent comedy festivals in Toronto and Chicago. The group is the fest's first ever Canadian act. We have reason to believe this is the troupe's first ever New York City performance as well.
--We don't know much about New Foundland but if this troupe's name is some kind of tongue in cheek shout out to their ruthless terrier puppy mills or hastily melting ice caps, we can't imagine why anyone from there is dancing.
MEAT - Friday @ 10PM
--MEAT has signed with a LA production company who is currently pitching a show for them.
--We think Biz Ellis' SHOCKING baby bump rumors turned out to be false. As of this writing, a fetus has yet to emerge from her body!
Tybrus - Thursday @ 11PM
--Tybrus is out to prove that summer vacations are for pansy losers. The boys are buckling down this month to write their first feature, based on You're Out Too Far, for a WELL-KNOWN production company.
--Jon Gabrus is currently writing and acting in a web series for SpikeTV.com, look for it in August.
--Justin Tyler is hitting the San Diego comic con hard with the guys from Comic Book Club in July where they will be hosting a star studded panel and his group Sidecar will be showcasing Condiment City at UCB-LA in early August.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 3:11 PM | Comments (0)
March 6, 2007
FEARSOME Member to Go on Maternity Leave
FEARSOME sent out a press release yesterday about their latest show premiering March 16th and a glaring omission was noticed: Jaime Hayes is missing from their line-up!
When asked what happened to Jaime, a spokesperson for Fearsome responded:
She's having a baby. In fact, she's due in 2 days!! This will be our first show in 5 years with just 4 of us. It's a new incarnation of FEARSOME!
PREVIOUSLY
Fearsome Loses Member
Fearsome @ The PIT - 11.4.05
More info on Fearsome's brand new sketch show GUNGREASE below.
Continue reading "FEARSOME Member to Go on Maternity Leave"
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:50 PM | Comments (0)
October 6, 2006
All American Push-Up Party SATURDAY
The HIGHLY RECOMMENDED former Flaming Box of Stuff frontman, Dusty Warren, is in town and performing at the UCBT on SATURDAY. He'll be doing his silly solo stuff under the moniker, All American Push-up Party. Dusty splits a double bill alongside Curtis Gwinn's House of Men.
RELATED
Be the first to be All American Push-Up Party's friend on MySpace
Watch Dusty Warren's extreme juggling skills
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 12:23 PM | Comments (0)
Whitest Kids Want to Hear What's On Your Mind
Do you have something you want to say to the Whitest Kids U Know? In a recent press release, FUSE is advising that you give them a buzz while they're on tour. They've even given out Timmy's cellular telephone number:
The WHITEST KIDS are out on their college tour and you can call them 24/7 and harass them!!! They are on tour until 10/28. Seriously - here’s their number: 646.530.3118!!! Try waking them up in the middle of the night - they looooooove it.CALL The WHITEST KIDS U'KNOW
Do these zany sketch comics really looooooooove being startled to a hungover consciousness by a blaring "Since U Been Gone" ringtone? Find out for yourself.
RELATED
Stephen Colbert's Hotline is Still Open: 1-888-OOPS-JEW
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 11:45 AM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2006
MEAT Attempts to Burst Thru Walls
MEAT is trying to do the same thing for female sketch performers that the Kool-Aid Man did for concentrated food coloring: to shatter the brick walls of oppression dividing them from a thirsty audience.
MEAT's Livia Scott explains:
Okay so here's the deal: we've had the dream to be the first all-female sketch show on American TV - think about it, there's the Kids in the Hall, The State, Stella, SNL, Monty Python, either all dudes or a mix and even with a mix the dudes are usually the predominant force - never all chicks, ya know? And MEAT really has a chance because our material is never "hey, everybody, look! women are just as good as men! yeah!" or "hey everybody! look at my tits! and I'm funny! -well, kinda! for a girl! yeah!" you know, it's just not our focus because it's limited and boring.We've had a great year nationally with lots of praise from around the country, some really nice press, this documentary filmmaker is following us around which is cool, we're doing movies and pitching our show, it's all kind of coming together right now- so we're going "all in" (as in poker) with our show in LA at the Comedy Central Stage on October 24th and see if the "industry" gives us a chance... the timing seems to be the best it will ever be.
Can this divided nation handle a united squadron of lady joke makers? What do YOU think?
RELATED
MEAT performs TONIGHT at the UCBT : Last Show!
MEAT videos on YouTube
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 12:36 PM | Comments (2)
September 12, 2006
Elephant Larry Won Something Crazy Awesome
While Elephant Larry was performing on the West Coast last week, something wild happened to the group. Jesse Thorn posted an intriguing statement on the TSOYA blog:
I was lucky enough to run into [Elephant Larry] last night at the UCBT -- they just won a big contest, but I'm not allowed to share the details.
When pressed to share details on the matter, Alex Zalben, a spokesman for Elephant Larry responded:
I'm totally not allowed to say! Confidentiality agreement, ridiculously. And also, if I could tell everybody, I would definitely do so right now... Its a really cool thing, and not just for us.
What key words do we have to work with here: Los Angeles, really cool, big contest...
DID ELEPHANT LARRY WIN THE SHOWCASE SHOWDOWN??
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:06 PM | Comments (0)
June 1, 2006
Salacious SketchFest NYC Gossip - Volume 1
Since SketchFest NYC begins next Thursday, we wanted to get the jump on all the gossip floating around about the performing acts. The Apiary talked to SECRET SOURCES close to the production for details...
--MEAT will perform their first show in NYC in almost 6 months. Will it also be their last? We've said it before: Is something tearing Meat apart??
--We've been informed that Biz Ellis from MEAT and Stefan Lawrence from Elephant Larry were secretly hooking up at the fest last year. The source has disclosed that they are now living together.
--Ted Douglass and Jordana Barnes from Portland's group The 3rd Floor have recently gotten married.
--Last year's showstoppers, Flaming Box of Stuff, have totally disbanded! WTF FBOX?!
--Kirk and Evan, two of FBOX's founding members, have formed the Maximum Impact Performance Squad. See them Friday @ 7PM.
--Dusty Warren, another former Flaming Box of Stuffer, has gone solo! He will be performing Thursday as All American Push up Party. One source alleges he's considering a move to Los Angeles.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:44 PM | Comments (1)
May 4, 2006
SketchFest NYC Announces Full Schedule
SketchFest NYC announced their schedule today and it's stacked with gads of talent:
SketchFest NYC is pleased to announce that tickets for New York City's second annual national sketch comedy festival will go on sale Friday, May 5th.Individual tickets and festival passes will be available through
SohoPlayhouse.com, or by calling 212-691-1555.Twenty-three different groups from around the country will converge on the Soho Playhouse on June 8th, June 9th, and June 10th.
See the full schedule after the jump.
Continue reading "SketchFest NYC Announces Full Schedule"
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:42 PM | Comments (0)
April 12, 2006
New Crop of Sketch Shows For Spring
Cleanest River in America @ The PIT in April
That's My Booze! @ UCBT in April
We spoke to Aubrey Plaza of That's My Booze, she says the show is,
"kind of a sketch-study on the implications of "Opposite Day." For example, if today IS opposite day then I would ask you to NOT come see this show. But if I SAY that it IS opposite day, then didn't I just tell you to NOT come see it? You get the idea. It's about the global consequences of Opposite day, and booze! Hope this makes sense! It's a pretty funny show!"
Harvard Sailing Team @ UCBT in April
Elephant Larry @ The PIT in May/June
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 1:36 PM | Comments (1)
February 21, 2006
Street Fighter II Fanboys Rejoice at Latest Elephant Larry Offering
There was something special about a certain Street Fighter II sketch that Elephant Larry performed during their ninja-themed Christmas spectacular. A live video of the sketch has surfaced and is now up on the group's site.
Hadoken - Live! - Quicktime (35 Megs)
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 3:10 PM | Comments (0)
December 19, 2005
Suicide Jumper Saved By Improv Everywhere
Will Hines is ready to end it all. --photo via Improv Everywhere
Improv Everywhere just posted extensive coverage of their most recent mission.
Looking forward, if you've been seeking to be a part of a mission, IE is orchestrating something in January that has no cap-limit to the number of participants.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:30 PM | Comments (1)
November 7, 2005
Fearsome @ The PIT - 11.4.5
This is no ordinary love.
NOTES
--Fearsome premiered their smoking hot new sketch show on Friday to a packed house.
--Who is that dude on their chests? It's Stefan from Elephant Larry!
--Fans of Shayna Ferm's Dino Gyno character will be pleased by the emergence of two reimagined Gynos.
--Drink specials followed the show at The Triple Crown--a bar brimming with the charm and allure of an OTB.
Katherine reads a delightful story
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 3:33 PM | Comments (3)
November 1, 2005
Sara Schaefer Is No Longer Obsessed With You
The shocking announcement came to The Apiary's inbox yesterday. After 2 successful and critically acclaimed years, Sara Schaefer's office-themed late night talk show, Sara Schaefer Is Obsessed With You, is off to the DOCUMENT STORAGE FACILITY in the sky. The FINAL show is scheduled for Friday, November 11th @ Juvie Hall.
Since the not-so-SECRET WEDDING rumours proved wholly accurate, we asked Sara if this final show is a set-up for it to be reborn as Sara Genua Is Obsessed With You. She confirmed that it was not.
It's a great show with an equally superb core of writers and special guests. Over the course of two years, her very set served as the equivalent of that spirit-carrying log on Showtime at The Apollo that everybody rubs... but for extras on Law & Order. Does that make sense? All things said, the final SSIOWY will be AN OFFICE GOODBYE PARTY YOU WON'T WANT TO SLINK AWAY FROM.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 11:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
September 21, 2005
New York Musical Theatre Festival and YOU
From the New York Musical Theatre Festival site:
We created NYMF with a strong sense that it should not be a final destination for new musicals but a launching ground – that it should serve as a much needed middle step linking the initial drafts of a musical with their final full-scale production.
It's not surprising that a) these shows are littered with actual Broadway producers and b) some of the performances are already sold out for their entire runs. The benefits of checking out these initial drafts are manifold for the casual fan. They give you a chance to say "I saw that when..." and most notably you get to see future Broadway hits for CHEAP CHEAP ticket prices.
How is this relevant?! The UCBT has teamed up with the NYMF this year to offer a greasy buffet of offerings for the comedy and improv minded AND IT ALL GETS UNDERWAY TONIGHT with the premiere of Monica! The Musical! Here are a few of the musical comedies running the next two weeks along w/ their press summaries:
The year was 1998, when the internet was just starting out, and message boards and blogs were unheard of. Starring in Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Gypsy were Broadway legend Betty Buckley, pop star Deborah Gibson, and non-Equity nobody John Flynn as Farm Boy #5. Like any non-Equity Farm Boy with too much free time on his hands, John shares tales of rehearsal antics via e-mail - and from there on out - all Hell breaks loose! A story of dashed hopes, fragile egos, lost innocence, and grown women in cow costumes. Sept 23, 8pm; Sept 30, 8pm. $10. UCB Theatre.
Doug Simon and Bud Davenport wrote a MUSICAL! And they think it's really GOOD! It's called: GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL! It's the TRUE story of Johann Gutenberg, the Printing Press, an evil Monk, and a beautiful wench named Helvetica. And they're gonna perform the CRAP out of it for Broadway producers... AND FOR YOU!! Sept 24, 7.30pm; Oct 1, 7.30pm. $10. UCB Theatre.
Based in Chicago, BWC has amazed audiences around the world with its signature show – a completely improvised hour-long musical. Every aspect of The Musical is made up on the spot. Sept 22 & 23, 9:30pm; Sept 24, 9pm; Sept 26, 8pm; Sept 28 & 29, 9:30pm. $10. UCB Theatre.
Project Footlight
You awaken to the sound of your telephone ringing. A mysterious voice on the line says that he has kidnapped your child. One problem: you don't have a child. Do you set out to rescue the kid or do you roll over and go back to sleep? This is the first of many choices that you as an audience will make in this new genre some people are calling, “Choose-ical the Musical.” Brian Lowdermilk and Kait Kerrigan pen the as-yet-untitled piece with an incredible troupe of improvisers. Sept 19, 7pm & 9.30pm; Sept 20 8pm; Sept 25, 8pm; Sept 28, 7pm & 9:30pm. $15. 45th STREET THEATER.
RELATED
Complete list of shows running at the UCBT
More from the NYMF front lines at Gothamist
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 10:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (2)
August 31, 2005
Hammerkatz Makes All Kinds of News
One of NYC's finest sketch groups, Hammerkatz, has been making BOLD STRIDES IN ACHIEVEMENT lately.
--Hammerkatz and College Humor have locked hips and lips in a video hosting deal that essentially thrusts the group onto THE WORLD STAGE.
--Hammerkatz will retire their long running "...And Other Reasons To Cry" this Saturday at the UCB. Last chance to see that show in its entirety before it's placed in the vault and sealed away forever. UPDATE! After this Saturday, the group begins cycling in new sketches into their weekly gigs at the theatre.
--It has been said that Hammerkatz is gunning for entry to the 2006 Aspen Comedy Festival. Not quite sure what the application process entails, but they're retooling their sketches and taking them to the UCB-LA in October before making a final push for Aspen.
--Also, did you know that the group has a legacy club at NYU? Members of the incoming freshmen class-!-if you think you've got the chops and the plums, the moment is upon you!
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 10:53 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
August 18, 2005
Monumental Upcoming Week for Sketch Comedy Fans
We've raved about Flaming Box of Stuff being the Best in Show at SketchFest NYC and it is so pants-poopingly enthralling to hear that they'll be in NYC for three intoxicating performances. If you know people who are like, "Well, i'd like to go to a comedy show, but I dunno..." Take them to this. They've got shows next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the UCB.
Kasper Hauser
Also at the UCB next week is Kasper Hauser. We've been hearing the MOST SENSATIONAL PRAISE about Kasper Hauser from friends on the West Coast. They win awards and get lauded by James Sullivan of the San Francisco Chronicle as "destined for comic greatness ... bizarre collective brilliance." Performances to follow Flaming Box of Stuff on Friday and Saturday.
Sketchstock 3000
Sketch group A Week of Kindness presents a three-night stand of variety shows at New York's Medicine Show Theatre. A different show every night, each a blend of the city's young singer-songwriters, burlesque artists, and stand-up and sketch comedians.
Thursday, August 25th, 10 PM
Dawghaus
Negin Farsad
Nobody, et al.
Olde English
The Royal We
Theron SteinerFriday, August 26th, 10 PM
Matt Little
Dustin D'Addato
Matt McCarthy
Jill Pakulski
Party Central USA
Joe Powers
Thom Woodley
Becky YamamotoSaturday, August 27th, 10 PM
Shayna Ferm
Shawn Hollenbach
Greg Johnson
Jeff Solomon
Nick Turner
A Week of KindnessAugust 25, 26, and 27 at 10 P.M. $10 a show, or $15 for a weekend pass to all three shows.
Fearsome, Elephant Larry, and MEAT are all flying out to Portland (somewhere west of NYC, we're told) this weekend to participate in the Best of the Best Sketch Comedy Festival.
We asked Shayna Ferm how Fearsome's benefit party/date auction went last Sunday and whether the group will be able to afford plane tickets ALL THE WAY to Oregon and she responded:
The sexy benefit was a blast! A man paid $200 for the Fearsome women (nothing to do with our nurse, french maid and bunny costumes, I'm sure!). Miss Saturn showed her boobs and they were BEAUTIFUL. We had a beat poet, MEAT and Elephant Larry rocked, Jaime sang a torch song that stole the night away as Dan fake-played the piano. Our favorite raffle prize -- someone's face to be on our t-shirts during our run at The PIT in October -- went over splendidly, his name is Brandon and he's a very lucky guy. All in all, aside from the fierce hangover, we are a very happy sketch group. We've made a good chunk of our money back and will be able to eat in Portland.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 12:42 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (2)
August 1, 2005
Exclusive SNL Sketch Writing Class For Women Set to Commence
We spotted an astounding opportunity out there for any females who've ever dreamt of writing for Saturday Night Live.
The PIT has added a 6-week, females-only sketch writing class starting August 7th that is taught by current SNL writer and Second City Mainstage alum, Liz Cackowski. The class is called Writing for SNLadies.
The PIT has been touting on their site, the story of Rachel Axler, a talented girl who had taken The PIT's Writing For the Daily Show class, who then actually got a job writing for The Daily Show soon after.
Just sayin'--if you've got the skills, this class is a no brainer.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 1:32 PM | Comments (2)
July 15, 2005
Last Weekend to See The Hollow Men
Caught the British sketch comedy troupe, The Hollow Men, yesterday in a theatre production by the SEMINAL WestBeth Entertainment group which, notably, is the production company behind Amy Sedaris et. al's Wigfield and the original staging of Hedwig & The Angry Inch. If you wanted to see The Hollow Men, this weekend is your last chance.
Notes from the performance:
--The crowd was an interesting mix of traditional theatre goers (read: the elderly), families, and beer guzzling British women. Not exactly the same plethora one would find at The PIT or UCB. Can this culture gap be bridged in our lifetimes??
--The Hollow Men's Dave Armand, who is undoubtedly a student of the dramatic arts, went from TOTALLY PALLID to TOTALLY SWEATY during his interpretive miming of Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn." See the famous internet video of this here!
--SPOTTED: Dan and Doug from The Wicked Wicked Hammerkatz, casing out the competition. Speaking of Hammerkatz, one should point out that their AWARD WINNING ensemble show, ...And Other Reasons to Cry guarantees twice the excitement of The Hollow Men but for a scant portion of the price.
Gelf Magazine talks to The Hollow Men
"The Hollow Men," by T.S. Eliot
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
July 14, 2005
Darryl Strawberry Absent Once Again at DARRYL
Darryl Strawberry was, once again, a No call/No show at last night's performance of DARRYL at the UCB Theater. As reported last week, Chris Gethard was accosted by a belligerent lawyer who demanded the show be STRIKED immediately without possibility for revival. In the interim since, Chris had claimed that the legal fuss had piqued the interest of the REAL Darryl Strawberry and that there was a possibility that he intended to come and watch the show. Alas, he did not. Perhaps, drawing from his pasttimes suggested in the performance, Darryl was at home smoking crack out of an apple or kicking Mookie Wilson's pregnant wife in the stomach.
Darryl (center) with teammates.
Chris points out that there was in fact a dude in the front row taking notes. It did not appear to The Apiary that he was writing on a LEGAL PAD. Therefore, Chris may be able to eke out a few more shows before Strawberry's sharks file a complaint in state court.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 9:04 AM | Comments (0)
July 8, 2005
Darryl Strawberry Hates Local Comedy, America
Chris Gethard, Darryl Strawberry's frequently called upon understudy in the one man show at UCB titled Darryl, was served a verbal warning Wednesday by Darryl Strawberry's legal team to CEASE AND DESIST.
Can the law stop Chris Gethard? No.
He plans to mount one FINAL performance next week--which, according to Chris, may actually lure out Mets personalities and the man himself, Darryl Strawberry.
Free Darryl Merch
Click here for show info.
See Darryl Strawberry's performer profile at the UCB page
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
June 30, 2005
The Royal We - Final Performance Tonight!
Tonight is your last chance to see The Royal We and their current HIGH IMPACT sketch show, Be All That You Can Buy. It's at the Juvie Hall!
The Apiary asked Will Nunziata of The Royal We, "When will The Royal We return?"
He responded, "It's not like we're going anywhere. We're doing an improv set for the Del Close Marathon in July. We have a couple gigs in August. Our new sketch show should be up in the fall. It takes us about 2 months of heavy duty "writing" to come up with a show complete with at least 2 songs and a throughline. then we run the show for as long as we can."
CHECK THIS OUT!
Courtesy of Will, The Apiary IS GIVING AWAY 2 passes for YOU and 1 guest to tonight's 8PM performance!!! If you would like to see the show, email theapiary@gmail.com with the subject "THE ROYAL WE FOR FREE." The tix, a 20 dollar value, are available until we announce a winner!
UPDATE: The tickets are GONE!
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 1:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
June 17, 2005
Whitest Kids U Know Definitely Coming to Sundance Channel
Soon after The Apiary hinted the Whitest Kids U Know had a production deal cooking with the Sundance Channel, the Hollywood trade mag Variety plopped out a press release announcing the same thing. The Apiary rapped with Sam Brown of the Whitest Kids to hear the news from a primary source:
It's true, we are about to start pre-production with the sundance channel on a pilot for the whitest kids television show that will be a mix of sketch and an almost mocumentary styled storyline that will follow us through the ins and outs of making a sketch comedy show.
Is the television market for sketch groups heating up?
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 1:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
June 13, 2005
SketchFest NYC Wrap-Up
Gossip:
--Internet MOGUL and occasional stand-up comedian, Ricky Van Veen from College Humor, was in the crowd Friday night. The Apiary had a chance to chat with him and he seemed like a nice guy!
--A talent scout for Nickelodeon was in attendance all three nights. She was quite pleased by the performance and the charisma of one of the guys from Killing My Lobster...
--In related news, The Apiary said to the talent scout, "Hey! Have you seen the Whitest Kids? I think they have a bright future." To which she replied, "I hear they ALREADY have a deal with the Sundance Channel."
Best in Show:
Flaming Box of Stuff (pictured below)
A brilliant and form-bending sketch performance secured this arbitrary top prize. One of their scenes was as touching and believable as anything off Broadway. Granted, the show wasn't TouchingFest, but Flaming Box of Stuff, surely inspired a lot of people in the room with their art.
Runner Up:
MEAT
The all female team packed the biggest house of the festival and lured EVERYONE backstage to put their Rheingolds down and watch the show. People were sitting on the stage, in the aisles, standing in the back--people everywhere.
Biggest Pop:
MEAT's disturbingly naturalistic rendition of George W. Bush taking a dump on The United States of America. This would make a great political cartoon in the New Yorker!
Trends in Sketches
Closing the Set with some Hardcore Gangsta Stizz
No less than 4 of the groups at SketchFest rounded out their performances by breaking it down with high energy rap songs. Elephant Larry's was about Earth Day (written circa 1992). Another group, The Animal Club, (below) did a teary-eyed unplugged version of Bone Thugz N' Harmony's Crossroads in memory of all those we have lost.
Celebration of the Male Form (NOT PICTURED)
Yeah. Um... Lots of male camel toe was inappropriately on display. Pants were pulled down, guys romped in lycra unitards, countless simulated sexual acts were performed, and one dude was completely naked except for a gun holster. Unfortunately, female nudity just isn't funny this year, despite a good chunk of MEAT's audience desperately hoping it were the case.
A Look Backstage
Goblins America by Elephant Larry
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 8:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (2)
June 10, 2005
Recap: SketchFest NYC - Opening Night - 6/9/05
Hypnagogia - 7PM
A central theme in Hypnagogia's performance was the struggle with and the acceptance of new technology in our lives. Whether it comes in the form of a lifeworn robot drinking gin alone while listening to his saddening answering machine messages or a revisionist take on Thomas Edison's first phonograph recordings, society assimilates technology with all its marvels and its shortfalls. The actors interfaced with videos and weaved post modernist performance art with comedy and wonderment. Hypnagogia's unique set owes more to the theatre of Bertolt Brecht or Erwin Piscator than it does that of Saturday Night Live.
Becky & Noelle - 8PM
Knock Knock.
--Who's there?
I am.
--I am who?
Do we ever really know the answer to that?
Two young ladies dressed as conservative Russian women come on stage and pose that question. They lose the costumes and take to various instruments on the set--an old keyboard, an accordian, a lumberjack's saw. Becky & Noelle break into song and dance and sing tunes with titles like "Kurt Loder Sexual Swingset" and verses like "Horsebutt, horsebutt chicken and cheese!" It culminated in an ominous scene in which they both were holding Lemon Meringue pies. An older audience member in the front row jumped up when she thought she might become the target of the pie.
Killing My Lobster - 9PM
San Francisco's Killing My Lobster was the first sold out show of the evening and the first performance of standardized sketch comedy of SketchFest. Color coordinated and brimming with mature confidence, they went into their bits and had the crowd in stitches. One of the highlights was an absurdist spelling bee in which a geeky student had to spell the word XYCERRIPTILINNN. Its definition had something to do with the "heir to the crystals of Damron." Another big laugh came from a poetry slam of Missed Connection posts on Craigslist. KML distributed nice little fridge magnets before the show too--that was a bonus.
Madame Funnypants - 10PM
Negin Farsid and Alex Zalben delivered probably the most accessible set of the night. It was fast, it was smart without getting too weird, and it was kinetic. Their sketches frequently explored relationships between people from different lifestyles--An Upper Middle Class guy from Park Slope meets a Middle Class girl from Astoria, a regular joe falls in love with a fundamentalist burqa-clad Islamist, or two congressional reps from Wyoming coming together despite a sordid history of political differences (a sketch that would surely win big amongst a D.C. crowd). The above picture is of Negin and an evil baby.
Fearsome - 11PM
Fearsome started out the show with a thinly veiled "self esteem boosting" song called "Come on me!" and continued with their sexually infused sketches like Dino Gyno - which is exactly what it sounds like, the Matchmaker Cabbie, and a neat scene in which the action gets rewinded and the scene takes alternate endings.
Whitest Kids U Know - 12AM
Always great. Always on. In the above picture, two kids are playing a make believe game called Motorcycle Mamas despite the fact the kid in the back just wants to play Sega. The Whitest Kids have a great short video of a couple who wants to get pregnant and they're awaiting the results of the pregnancy test and we find out she peed on his iPod Shuffle. Oops!
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:34 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
June 8, 2005
SketchFest NYC Pre-Party Tonight
If you'd like to meet and mingle with the stars of SketchFest, tonight is your first chance! Enjoy some cool beers and welcome the troupes on their first night in NYC.
Come to:
JOEY'S
186 Avenue B (between 11th St. & 12th St.)
Wednesday June 8th,
anytime after 8:30pm
$3 PBRs and boardgames on the outdoor patio!
Bring friends and anyone who wants to party.
The 3-day show begins tomorrow. Get your tickets now!
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
May 25, 2005
Volunteer for SketchFest NYC
SketchFest NYC is looking for a few dynamic and energetic humans! If you don't have the $$$ to see all the shows but happen to have the enthusiasm and the skill set that potential employers crave, send SketchFest NYC an email.
We’re looking for a few able-bodied men and women to help out with SketchFest NYC. In return for your hard work, we'll be happy to ply you with free beer and access to all the shows.
SketchFest NYC is happening Thursday, June 9 through Saturday, June 11 at the UCB Theatre. We'd prefer if you could be around for the whole festival, but, if you can only be there one night, or only at specific times, tell us. We might still be able to use your services. E-mail us at info@sketchfestnyc.com for more info, or to just let us know that you want to be involved!
Thanks,
SketchFest NYC
www.SketchFestNYC.com
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 4:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
May 16, 2005
Sausage Sith In the City
Lightsabers--engage! Wednesday offers a unique comedy event to get everyone stoked about Star Wars III.
SITH IN THE CITY
A Night of Star Wars Comedy
Starring: Andrew Secunda, Chad Carter, Jesse Falcon, Glennis McMurray, Eliza Skinner, Brian Fountain, Jon Daly, Brett Gelman, Chad Carter, Owen Burke, Jack Helmuth, Eric Appel, Rob Lathan, Rob Huebel, Eric Linn, Aziz Ansari, Alison Becker, Nick Kroll, Curtis Gwinn, John Gemberling, Chris Gethard, Scott Brown, Anthony King and Paul Scheer.
The press release is advertising free admission if you wear a costume. They should offer the same deal if you bring a female!
Wednesday @ 9:30 at Upright Citizens Brigade
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
May 11, 2005
Tonight at the Apple Store
Chelsea Peretti, Michelle Collins, MOVIE STAR A.D. Miles, Eugene Mirman, and Jake Fogelnest talk about photoshopping, blogging, and their love of all things Apple TONIGHT at the Apple Store. Sure to be funny and worth it since it's FREE. Oh, be prepared to be informed too as they're planning on going over your company's quarterly P/E ratios using Power Point. Er... Keynote.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 3:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
May 6, 2005
Sara Schaefer is Obsessed with Whom?
Currently, she's obsessed with Movie Star/VH1 spokesperson/Champion, Judah Friedlander, aka this guy:
The Apiary tracked down the busy Sara Schaefer and desperately pleaded with her for niblets of exclusive teasers about her ultra fun talk show TONIGHT at Juvie Hall:
She responded:
"I am going to try to convince Judah to speak to me in the 'nerd' voice from his character in American Splendor. Also, there will be a sex tape shown...whose sex tape? You'll have to come to find out! There will also be a dance sequence a la Makin' The Band 3. Curtis Eller, our musical guest, plays banjo and is amazing."
Sara Schaefer is Obsessed with You, praised highly by NEWSPAPERS, is @ 8:00PM. Bring 8 dollars.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 12:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
