It’s almost time for the 2013 WitOut Awards for Philadelphia Comedy! As we get closer to the show, we’ll be rolling out a series of posts to help you get more acquainted with this year’s nominees. Read all about ‘em, and then be sure to get your tickets for the big event on January 13th at World Cafe Live!
Dennis Trafny on Alex Newman:
“He’s a funny SOB. He’s doesn’t look it on account of his husbandry, but he is a really, really smart dude. And he uses those smarts for some of the funniest, most juvenile scenes I’ve seen in Philadelphia. He could probably, no joke, be an astrophysicist but instead he chose to pretend to be a smartphone eating dinner at a long table with a bunch of weirdos or a boss that won’t give trophies to his employees, and the Philly comedy community is reaping the benefits. His beard is also a lil QT pie.”
Andrew Stanton on Luke Field: “Luke Field was conceived on the field of battle and that is where he gets his name. As a baby, Luke fought his way out of the hospital. Luke once threw a boy twice his age over a fence. Luke bit a dog. Luke drank an entire lake. Luke once dealt a poker game for the mafia and they didn’t scare him one bit. Luke has seen the edge of space. Luke wrote the lyrics to ‘Ace of Spades’. Luke is coming from inside the house. Luke is dangerously funny. Luke is an incredible improviser. Luke is great.”
Luke Field on Darryl Charles:
“If you were to compare all the nominated male improvisers to sports people (also known as “athletes”), Darryl obviously would be Bo Jackson…because they are both three-sport athletes! (Stop being a racist!) Darryl is an all-star improviser with ComedySportz and the reigning “WitOut Best Improv Team” Hate Speech Committee, much like Bo was a Pro Bowl ball-runner for such-and-such football team. Darryl is an elite stand-up comedian and last year’s winner of “Best Stand-Up Bit,” much like Bo would smack some dingers while playing for America’s team, the Kansas City Royals. And, also, in addition to all that, Darryl is an accomplished sketch writer, contributing to “The Monthly Hour with James Hesky” and “Bird Text,” much like Bo was a noted cartoon personality/crime fighter in the Saturday morning cartoon “ProStars” (third sport). Oh, and did you know Darryl also co-hosts Philadelphia’s best podcast, “CheaPodcast?” And did I forget that fact right up until this very moment and I am adding it in right now? Answer: YES TO BOTH. That’s four sports! One more than Bo Jackson! Darryl Charles is also a noted lover of animals while Bo Jackson was a malicious hunter exclusively of endangered species [citation needed]. You heard it here first folks: Darryl Charles is BETTER than Bo Jackson at comedy, sports and general humanity.”
Alex Newman on Dennis Trafny: “Dennis Trafny is my bearded brother in arms and fellow metal head. He is an insane genius of improv who plays demented murderers with the same realism as he plays innocent children. Which is horrifying when I stop to think about it. Let’s just say I’m glad he’s on my side.”
Darryl Charles on Andrew Stanton: “Andrew is awesome, and funny. I’ve seen him perform a bunch and he can switch from short one-liners to long and interweaving stories while keeping his trademark wit and mannerisms intact. That’s good, and hard to do. I like him a bunch, and I’m a fan of his improv too. If anyone was going to win this but me, I’d want it to be Andrew. Sadly, it won’t be. But I’m happy he was nominated.”
It’s almost time for the 2013 WitOut Awards for Philadelphia Comedy! As we get closer to the show, we’ll be rolling out a series of posts to help you get more acquainted with this year’s nominees. Read all about ‘em, and then be sure to get your tickets for the big event on January 13th at World Cafe Live!
Kristen Schier on Jess Ross:
“Jess Ross is a force. Her wild-eyed hilarity is as strange and intense as her beauty. Her unfettered goofiness paired with the deeper commitment of a talented actor is an unstoppable and delightful combination.
Allow me to brag: I have had the good fortune to work with Jess on a few improv projects over the years. I used to watch her shine in the N Crowd. We called her Moonbeam ’cause she was one. I also coached Jessica Tandy on occasion (and by coach I mean sit on Andy’s couch and laugh) and I most recently worked with her in Myths and Monsters. You can trust her to bring the funny. What I am saying is, I know this improviser very well and she is good. Damn good.
It is no accident that other projects Jess Ross is involved in, like The Flat Earth, the aforementioned Myths and Monsters and Asteroid! are nominated too. Jess Ross is a fantastic ensemble member and she raises the caliber of the performers she works with—also, she is funny. Damn funny.
She said once that her comedic inspirations were the Muppets. Well, cheers to the closest human embodiment of Muppetry I have ever seen.”
Maggy Keegan on Kristen Schier: “I’ve been a huge fan of Kristen Schier since before I moved back to Philadelphia. Kristen’s connection to her character’s emotional truth, her sense of play, her use of the stage, and how she uses her whole body and soul to create is inspiring to watch. I mean, have you seen the Kristen and Amie Show? I could watch that every week. And her clowning? There has rarely been a time in my thirties where I have giggled like a schoolgirl in an audience out of pure delight and watching her as a clown is a joyful experience.
Not only is she a great improviser, she is also huge creative force in Philadelphia. She has taught and nurtured hundreds of Philadelphia improvisers through classes, directing, and through her innovative group ZaoGao. She has taken this scene to a whole new level.
I think we can also all feel Kristen’s positive spirit whenever she enters the room. We are very lucky that she calls Philadelphia home because as she continues to create we are all the better for it.”
Jess Ross on Emily Davis:
“Emily is always able to be surprising and exciting when she performs because she is amazing when it comes to really listening to her scene partner and responding from an honest place. She can pick up on things most people would fly past and sees what other people don’t in offers that are given to her. She’s already naturally such a witty and clever person, but the way she plays is what I think makes her so special and a stand out. She’s the perfect combination of being really well educated on improv (she knows the structure of scenes, the piece as a whole, how to set things up, make people look good) and she is also able to be completely in the moment and organic. She’s not forcing anything, she’s using everything that’s out there, putting the pieces of the puzzle together, and making it look really easy and fun while she does it. And that is why I love Emily!”
Emily Davis on Amie Roe:
“The first time I met Amie was in a diner. She came to meet some improvisers that I was with, and she scared the crap out of me with how funny she was. I can’t remember why, but she was making lists of five things in various categories on her fingers, and I was completely intimidated. Each thing that she said was funnier than the last. I was pretty psyched when, later, she accepted my friend request.
Amie is a rare bird. She’s an amazing improviser with a high reference level and an equal love of the low brow. She’s really smart and naturally funny, and she puts herself completely out there on stage. She’s a robot, a ninja, and a pirate. She’s got great hair, an awesome wardrobe (I love her sweaters), and she’s gorgeous. She’s a freak.
So, here are a few lists of five to honor Amie’s awesomeness and accomplishments:
Amie is an incredible performer, director, coach, teacher, and producer. Over the last few years, Amie has put together ambitious projects, made a lot of t-shirts, saved kids’ lives, been a good friend, and acquired a nemesis. Amie has made improv better through her performances in The Amie and Kristen/Kristen and Amie Show and Brick, as one of the masterminds behind Duofest, through her level of commitment to everything she does, through the generosity and support that she offers to others, and by keeping everything fun, charming, and weird. Thanks for everything, and love you, Amie!”
Amie Roe on Maggy Keegan:
“What can you say about Maggy Keegan that isn’t obvious from her radiant smile? A lot. Because in addition to having a beautiful smile, Maggy is also a really talented comedienne, and you cannot tell if a person is a great comedian from their smile.
Maggy has great teeth, beautiful facial structure, and extensive performance experience in both Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Maggy has studied improv and sketch at iO West, the Groundlings, and Second City, and she has been a patient of Dr. Andrew Agnew, DDS, for roughly 9 years. Dr. Agnew says of Maggy, “I have treated Maggy for 5 cavities and seen 3 of her improv shows. i filled her cavities with hilarity, jokes, and talent. Just kidding, she is funny and talented enough on her own.”
While in Los Angeles, Maggy performed regularly with Pretty Bird, Popular Science, Days of Passion, The Hortons, and Spirit Fingers, and she brushed her teeth every morning and also before she went to bed, even if she was really tired and didn’t feel like it. Upon moving to Philadelphia, Maggy performed on Philly Improv Theater (PHIT) house team King Friday, cast and began directing acclaimed PHIT house team Davenger, and also began performing with improv duo Whisper and a three-person group, Soiree. Through all of this, she found the time to floss and avoid sugary drinks.
Maggy drinks coffee and red wine, but not too much, because it can leave stains.”
It’s almost time for the 2013 WitOut Awards for Philadelphia Comedy! As we get closer to the show, we’ll be rolling out a series of posts to help you get more acquainted with this year’s nominees. Read all about ‘em, and then be sure to get your tickets for the big event on January 13th at World Cafe Live!
The nominees for Best Regular Show are:
Camp Woods Plus Camp Woods Plus was a monthly sketch comedy showcase hosted by Philly sketch comedy juggernauts, Camp Woods! Every month they brought two sketch comedy groups from around the country plus a hilarious all new show of their own to L’etage. The show had its last edition this past December, but from the time it debuted to a sold-out crowd it quickly became a must-see event within the Philly comedy scene.
The Theme Show The Theme Show is a monthly variety show at Philly Improv Theater hosted by Pat Foy (Camp Woods) and Steve Swan (The Flat Earth, Mayor Karen). Each month sketch groups, stand-ups and more create material around a new theme to show audiences just how much comedy can come from the same starting point.
Reasonable Discourse With Jerks Reasonable Discourse With Jerks is a monthly panel comedy show hosted by Jim Grammond and produced by the good people at the Philly Improv Theater. Every month Jim is joined by a four-person panel of comedians and other professional-grade talkers to cover a variety of topics.
The Monthly Hour with James Hesky
Part late-night talk show, part stand-up showcase, and mostly one giant desperate attempt to get the approval of others, The Monthly Hour with James Hesky brings some of Philadelphia’s top talent to the Philly Improv Theater to help you catch up on all the major (and minor) events of the month. Each month, Hesky (CheaPodcast, The Gross Show) and his merry band of writers will recap the month through stand-up, sketch, video and interviews with top newsmakers (or completely made up no-names).
Guilty Pleasures Comedian Brendan Kennedy has his finger on the pulse of all things awful—from terrible scripts to embarrassing poetry, YouTube videos and stage plays—and each month he hosts a dramatic reading of everything he’s found. With assistance from co-host Roger C. Snair, who regularly submits his own plays to the show, Brendan and a group of Philly’s top comedians are sure to surprise you with how hard they commit to the crap they have decided to stage for your amusement and the bizarre improv riffs they go on as inspiration hits them.
It’s almost time for the 2013 WitOut Awards for Philadelphia Comedy! As we get closer to the show, we’ll be rolling out a series of posts to help you get more acquainted with this year’s nominees. Read all about ‘em, and then be sure to get your tickets for the big event on January 13th at World Cafe Live!
The nominees for Best Open Mic are:
Laughs on Fairmount
Schedule: Weekly
Time: 8:00PM – 11:00PM
Sign-ups: 7:15PM
Location: The Urban Saloon: 2120 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA
Type: Stand-up
Hosts: Carolyn Busa and Mary Radzinski
Set: 5 minutes
Description: Join Laughs on Fairmount at the Urban Saloon on Fairmount Ave. (across from Eastern State Penitentiary). Laughs on Fairmount will be Monday nights with sign-ups for comedians beginning at 7:15pm. Show starts at 8pm in the back room.
Sketch Up or Shut Up
Schedule: The last Friday of every month (the first week of PHIT’s Shubin run)
Time: 11:00PM – 12:00AM
Sign-ups: 10:45PM
Location: Philly Improv Theater at The Shubin Theater, 407 Bainbridge St. Philadelphia
Type: Sketch
Host: Brian Kelly
Set: 5 minutes
Description: Free sketch comedy open mic! Come to perform or see some of Philadelphia’s best comedians try out new material. Arrive by 10:45 to sign up, and please keep sketches to five minutes or less. Free and BYOB! Sketch Up or Shut Up is hosted by Brian Kelly and was created by Meg Favreau.
Center City Comedy
Schedule: Weekly
Time: 9:00PM – 1:00AM
Sign-ups 8:00PM
Location: Raven Lounge: 1718 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA
Type: Stand-up
Hosts: Chris Cotton and H. Foley
Set: 5 minutes
Description: Upstairs at the Raven Lounge. Featuring Philadelphia’s best stand-up talent showcasing their signature sets.
Tight Six
Schedule: Weekly
Time: 8:30PM
Sign-ups 8:00PM
Location: Upstairs at Fergie’s Pub: 1214 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Type: Stand-up, Sketch, Characters, etc.
Host: Tight Six
Set: 3.5-5 minutes (depending on total number of comics)
Description: Hilarious comedy, house band, drink specials.
Accidents Will Happen
Schedule: First Wednesday of every month, after the Accidents Will Happen showcase (9:00PM)
Time: 11:00PM
Sign-ups: 9:00PM
Location: The Adobe Cafe, 1919 E. Passyunk Ave. Philadelphia
Type: Stand-up
Host: Bradley Beck
Set: 5 minutes
Description: Featuring stand-up, storytelling, and sketch comedy. All this and $5 burritos!
It’s almost time for the 2013 WitOut Awards for Philadelphia Comedy! As we get closer to the show, we’ll be rolling out a series of posts to help you get more acquainted with this year’s nominees. Read all about ‘em, and then be sure to get your tickets for the big event on January 13th at World Cafe Live!
It’s almost time for the 2013 WitOut Awards for Philadelphia Comedy! As we get closer to the show, we’ll be rolling out a series of posts to help you get more acquainted with this year’s nominees. Read all about ‘em, and then be sure to get your tickets for the big event on January 13th at World Cafe Live!
The nominees for Best New Act are:
Davenger
A mix of improv veterans and fresh faces, Philly Improv Theater House Team Davenger likes its improv lean and gamey. Performing the classic Harold format, they attack the stage with emotion, intellect, and a strong sense of mischief.
Director:
Maggy Keegan
Cast:
Dan Corkery
Hilary Kissinger
Nicholas Mirra
Alex Newman
Cait O’Driscoll
Kevin Pettit
Jessica Snow
Max Sittenfield
Brian Rumble
Hot Dish
Hot Dish features well-seasoned performers eager to satisfy audiences who hunger for funny, intelligent, ensemble-based improv comedy. Sometimes spicy, sometimes rich and indulgent, always comedically delicious.
Director:
Steve Kleinedler
Cast:
Chris Calletta
Corin Wells
Emily Davis
Jim Burns
Martha Cooney
Maureen Costello
Sue Jahani
Gathering talent from the improv, sketch, stand-up and theater worlds, The Flat Earth debuted in 2012 as Philly Improv Theater’s first house sketch team. Their sketch revue show had a five-night run at the Philly Fringe Festival, a two-night encore at the Shubin Theater, and received great praise from audience members they asked in the lobby afterwards.
Director: Paul Triggiani
Head Writer: Steve Swan
Writers:
Vincent DiCostanzo
Luke Field
Sean Landis
Jess Ross
Matt Schmid
Adam Siry
Actors:
Jacqueline Baker
Jim Grammond
Brent Knobloch
Rich Lee
Jess Ross
Molly Silverman
Harry Watermeier
American Breakfast debuted at Sketch Up or Shut Up in February 2012. Between then and now, they performed irregularly at the Theme Show and were invited to perform at ManiParty, at Camp Woods Plus and at the Shubin Theater. The name reflects their love of this country and its morning-specific food items. They are Sean Landis, Eric Steele, Peter Rambo and Nora Redman.
Cast:
Peter Rambo
Sean Landis
Eric Steele
Nora Redman
Daring Daulton is a sketch duo who have been performing in Philadelphia since March of 2012. Both members have a background in film and screenwriting, drawing influences from filmmakers like the Coen brothers, PT Anderson and sketch shows like the Kids in the Hall and Mr. Show. As such, Daring Daulton’s largely character-driven sketches can best be identified by their dark subject matter, absurdist elements and meticulous dialogue.
It’s almost time for the 2013 WitOut Awards for Philadelphia Comedy! As we get closer to the show, we’ll be rolling out a series of posts to help you get more acquainted with this year’s nominees. Read all about ‘em, and then be sure to get your tickets for the big event on January 13th at World Cafe Live!
The nominees for Best Short Run/One-Time Show are:
The Improvised B-Movie Double Feature (Asteroid!)
This fully improvised show celebrated the fun of the low-budget sci-fi/horror films from the golden age of Hollywood. The cast of Asteroid! performed not one, but two fully improvised B-movies, each based on a single audience suggestion with low-budget staples like aliens, monsters, Soviets, and mad scientists.
Fringe Festival Sketch Revue (The Flat Earth)
Philly Improv Theater’s first-ever sketch comedy revue featured The Flat Earth, some of the theater’s top writing talent and a cast of local comedians. The show brought audiences a darkly comic yet strangely sweet take on everything from the obvious targets to the bizarre tangents in everyday life.
ProMania 2K12 (PHIT Fringe Festival) ProMania 2K12 was a sport-stravagant celebration of the larger-than-life spectacle that is professional wrestling (with only some of the wrestling). Philly comedians paid homage to the flashy trash talking promos, slick video packages, and bitter rivalries of the squared circle.
Myths & Monsters (PHIT Fringe Festival) Myths & Monsters was an hour-long improvised hero’s adventure following a basic structure parsed by Joseph Campbell. A team of actors moved and breathed in tandem to depict monstrous beasts and terrifying deities encountered during a spontaneously created theatrical tale of trials and transformation of a lone hero. Directed by Philadelphia actor and improviser Nick Gillette.
The David Lynch Show (Camp Woods and Secret Pants)
Camp Woods and Secret Pants presented a special David Lynch themed sketch show lampooning the work of quirky film director David Lynch.
It’s almost time for the 2013 WitOut Awards for Philadelphia Comedy! As we get closer to the show, we’ll be rolling out a series of posts to help you get more acquainted with this year’s nominees. Read all about ‘em, and then be sure to get your tickets for the big event on January 13th at World Cafe Live!
Doogie Horner on James Hesky: “James Grammond is hilarious. I can’t think of a funnier James in Philadelphia! Just kidding.
One time James Hesky and I went to the driving range. Fifty percent of my drives sliced right so hard that they landed in the creek next to the range, but James didn’t laugh at me once, not even later that night when I was on stage telling jokes.”
Aaron Hertzog on Chip Chantry:
“When I started doing stand-up in Philly a little over six years ago Chip Chantry was one of the comedians I most wanted to impress. When I heard him laugh at my jokes from the back of the room at an open mic, or he said something nice to me about one of my jokes it really meant a lot because I looked up to him so much. Years later my respect and admiration for Chip have only grown as I’ve learned more about what goes into doing comedy. Chip is constantly writing and creating new, great material. His work ethic is something every comic should try to emulate. He’s been one of the top comics in Philly for years, and plays clubs and venues all over the country and is not content to rest on his laurels. Chip can also play any type of room. He’s got material that will kill in a room full of young, city hipsters and he can wow a crowd of older suburban ‘normal people’. No matter what type of show you are putting on, you can be safe booking Chip and know he will do a fantastic job. He can write topical jokes, material about his personal life, crazy off-the-wall stuff, tell a fantastic story, and can write the heck out of a sketch. Any time I need help with a writing project I know I can count on Chip, because not only is he a great comedian and writer, he’s also a great friend.”
Darryl Charles on Doogie Horner: “Doogie is awesome, and funny. He can effortlessly switch from short one-liners to long and interweaving stories while keeping his trademark wit and mannerisms intact. That’s good, and hard to do. I like him a bunch, and I’m a fan of his writing too. If anyone was going to win this but me, I’d want it to be Doogie. Sadly, it won’t be. But I’m happy he was nominated.”
Chip Chantry on Darryl Charles:
“Most comedians are like vodka—they’ll get you drunk, sometimes they’re hard to swallow, and you can see right through them. But you pretty much know what you’re getting.
Darryl Charles, on the other hand, is like Pinnacle Vodka—there are many different varieties of Darryl. It’s no secret that Darryl is perhaps the most versatile performer in Philadelphia. Because from night to night (and many times set to set) Darryl plays a variety of hilarious roles in the Philadelphia comedy scene. Whether he’s doing stand-up, performing improv with ComedySportz or Hatespeech Committee, doing the Cheapodcast and The Monthly Hour with James Hesky, or making videos with those jerks at Bird Text, the only consistent thing about Darryl Charles is that he’s always funny.
And he’s also sweet.
And he loves Butterscotch Vodka.”
James Hesky on Aaron Hertzog:
“Aaron Hertzog used to be quite overweight, then he lost 200 pounds. But you know what he didn’t lose? His sense of humor. And also whatever sadness is buried deep within his soul that makes him have to perform stand-up comedy. That’s definitely still there.
Aside from stand-up, Aaron is also part of Hey Rube, Hate Speech Committee and the Holding Court Podcast. Or at least he was until he left Philadelphia to live in L.A. so he could pursue his dream of never having to be more than 40 feet away from Luke Giordano.”
Comedy has always had a tradition of education. It could be informal advice, taking someone under your wing, or a formal series of classes, workshops, and speeches. People transition from beginners learning the ropes to experts who can pass down their wisdom.
As comedians progress in their career, they might find themselves taking on titles like teacher, instructor, director, coach, adviser, guru, guide, lecturer, team captain, or mentor. When you teach something, you learn more about it yourself; you have to know the subject comprehensively to enlighten someone else.
Regrettably, there’s little training for comedy educators. There are some models for curriculum and resources, but the focus tends to be on what’s being taught, not how to teach it.
Also regrettably, the world of comedy can be somewhat segregated, and people can struggle as much with how they fit in as how they get funny.
Here are some tips for creating the right atmosphere for those in your tutelage, highlighting issues of diversity.
As the year winds down, WitOut collects lists from comedy performers and fans of their favorite moments, comedians, groups, shows, etc. from the last year in Philly comedy. Top 5 of 2012 lists will run throughout December, and slightly beyond, if we deem it necessary–if you’d like to write one, pitch us your list at contact@witout.net!
1. Opportunities for Performance and Growth
OH MAN have you seen how many opportunities for performance and growth that you, the Philly comedian, have?! If you’re a stand-up there’s a pretty great open mic somewhere almost every night of the week (Helium‘s Tuesday night show is uber-polished, and Monday night’s Laughs on Fairmount r0x0rs my b0x0rs). If you’re an independent comedy act then Polygon is ALL ABOUT giving you an opportunity to perform in a well-put together show (that is literally what they are ALL ABOUT). If you want to beef up your improv chops, cool dudes and ladies want to practice with you at Incubator on Sunday nights, or jam with you late nights at Philly Improv Theater. If you want to beef up your improv chops AND PAY FOR IT (who doesn’t?), PHIT has been pumping out talented improvisers through their apparently well-taught classes faster than I pump out…Well, I’ll let you finish that sentence. Also, for those of you like me who love paying for things but hate committing to more than one day of a thing, PHIT’s been offering some pretty sweet workshops (Kristen Schier’s clowning workshop and Jill Bernard’s Fireball Theory taught me a lot this year, there I said it!). In conclusion, Philadelphia has many opportunities for performance and growth, hooray!
2. Consistently Good Performances Across the City
OH MAN have you noticed all the consistently good performances across the city? If you like comic theater, 1812 Productions puts on great stuff! If you like stand-up, our professional clubs are always hosting great acts! If you like long-form improv, PHIT hosts fun shows most nights of the week! And if you like short-form ComedySportz and The N Crowd have been putting on great shows every week for YEARS!
3. Innovative Shows!
Did you see Asteroid!‘s B-Movie? It was a great idea and really well executed! Did you see Myths & Monsters? It was a great idea and really well executed! ALSO OTHERS. Look I don’t get out as much as you guys, whatever.
4. Sweet Dudes and Ladies
OH MAN have you noticed all the sweet dudes and ladies in the Philadelphia comedy community?! Here I am using the definitions of “sweet” that connotate niceness AND awesomeness AT THE SAME TIME, WHAT UP?! My crippling social anxiety and poor hygiene typically make me reclusive (not unlike the Brown Recluse, which does not typically reside in Philadelphia, this is bonus awesome thing about Philly number six), and yet I still feel welcome in the community! That’s pretty SWEET of you, dudes and ladies!
5. New York Stinks
Seriously, it is the stinkiest!
Vegas Lancaster is a stand-up comedian and a member of The N Crowd. His opinions about New York City are his own, and should not be taken as an endorsement of anti-New York sentiment by WitOut. WitOut has no beef with you, New York City.
