WE GOT THE LAUGHS IF YOU GOT THE CASH
[image-1]Here is the official lineup of the 2008 Charleston Comedy Festival. Instead of writing a bunch of words trying to explain how funny these people are, and trying to convince you to spend your hard-earned money for a few yukkity-yuks, we’ve decided to let the comedians do the talking for themselves.
Below, you’ll find a list of names, websites, etc., of the headliners. Check ’em out when you can. Check ’em out again later in January (what else is there to do in January, anyway?)
Meanwhile, have a laugh or two. It’s on us, gratis.
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2008 CHARLESTON COMEDY FESTIVAL
Neckprov
INFO: Wed. Jan. 16, 8 p.m., Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St., $5, (843) 853-6687
Local Stand Up Finals
INFO: Wed. Jan. 16, 9:30 p.m., TBA, $5
Written by John Brennan and Jason Cooper, The Banana Monologues is based on a diary by Gus Weiderman about his tumultuous five-year relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Alexis. A great show for anyone who has ever been in a bad relationship and stayed in it way too long, or know of someone who has — which is pretty much everyone. Brennan stars.
INFO: Wed. Jan 16, 9 p.m., Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St., $10, (843) 853-6687
Big Dicktionary
Big Dicktionary is a two-man, long-form improvisational comedy team composed of Timmy Finch and John Brennan. Neither one is safe from the other as they keep the show fast and tight, even as they call out each other’s foibles. Oh yeah, it stars a very big dictionary, too.
INFO: Thurs. Jan. 17, 8 p.m., Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St., $8, (843) 853-6687
A New York City-based sketch group, Harvard Sailing Team is four men and five women dedicated to “clean-cut” Ivy League humor. Their sketch comedy is characterized by scenes that transform everyday life into absurdity and is fueled by a strong group dynamic.
INFO: Thurs. Jan. 17, 8 p.m.; Fri. Jan. 18, 8 p.m., Charleston Ballet Theatre, 477 King St., $12.50, (843) 723-7334
Moral Fixation is a two-person long-form improv show born of the fertile loins of Lee Lewis (Doppelganger) and Greg Tavares (The Have Nots). They use an audience member’s suggestion to weave an intricate tapestry of artistic deliciousness.
INFO: Thurs. Jan. 17, 9 p.m., Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St., $8, (843) 853-6687
A Day That Will Live in Industry by Maximum Brain Squad
INFO: Thurs. Jan. 17, 9:30 p.m., Charleston Ballet Theatre, 477 King St., $8, (843) 723-7334
I Eat Pandas is Glennis McMurray and Eliza Skinner, two New York-based performers who create three spontaneous, sparkly musicals in under an hour. Using a large digital clock and inexplicable musical improv skills, they perform a 25-minute, 15-minute, and five-minute musical based on one audience suggestion.
INFO: Fri. Jan. 18, 8 p.m.; Sat. Jan. 19, 9 p.m., Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St., $12.50, (843) 853-6687
INFO: Fri. Jan. 18, 8 p.m.; Sat. Jan. 19, 8 p.m., Tonik, 479 King St., $12.50, (843) 853-8406
Washington Improv Theatre presents Caveat and Season Six
CAVEAT: Inspired by the rhythm of everyday life, Caveat’s long-form plays with varying scene lengths to heighten and weave audience suggestions. Favoring truthful characters with strong emotional standpoints, the players focus on patient play, experimenting with alternative edits, such as transformations, swarms, and split screens among others.
SEASON SIX: A group of under-appreciated television pilot actors.
INFO: Fri. Jan. 18, 8 p.m.; 10 p.m. Jan. 19, Stars at The American Theater, 446 King St., $12.50, (843) 722-3456
The Apple Sisters Variety Show
From the group’s PR schwag: “We’re the Apple Sisters, Candy, Cora, and Seedy. Our Mother, Ms. Reddy Apple, was a Vaudeville star and she passed down the legacy to her three girls! We present our live monthly show, broadcast on WXYZ AM Radio, straight to the troops in Germany, and present the show live on stage at the People’s Improv Theatre in our first and favorite home, the BIG APPLE! Be our friend, and always use Doramad Toothpaste, now with Thorium!”
INFO: Fri. Jan. 18, 8:30 p.m.; Sat. Jan. 19, 8:30 p.m., The American Theater, 446 King St., $12.50, (843) 722-3456
The Magnet Theater presents Hello Laser and Skosh
HELLO LASER: This group performs long-form improvisation highlighted by their own self-made, improvised soundtrack. They unearth a wellspring of rich characters and environments, buzzing with the noise of life.
SKOSH: This group turns audience suggestions into a montage of scenes and characters.
INFO: Fri. Jan. 18, 9 p.m.; 8 p.m. Jan. 19, Stars at The American Theater, 446 King St., $12.50, (843) 722-3456
Stand Up Showdown
INFO: Fri. Jan. 18, 9:30 p.m., Tonik, $12.50
This show is one part puppet and one part long-form improv. Starring Josh Cohen, Tamra Malaga, and a cast of puppets, each show begins with a one-word suggestion.
INFO: Fri. Jan. 18, 9:30 p.m.; Sat. Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m., Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St., $12.50, (843) 853-6687
Hot Sauce is Ben Schwartz, Adam Pally, and Gil Ozeri. Together, they jump the shark, go for the joke, and compromise their integrity in this black diamond ski slope of entertainment.
INFO: Fri. Jan. 18, 9:30 p.m.; Sat. Jan. 19, 8 p.m., Charleston Ballet Theatre, 477 King St., $12.50, (843) 723-7334
Murder, She Improvised by Dad’s Garage
Something is afoot at the Sunny Arse Hotel. Only Sir John Holmes can get to the bottom of these devious murder mysteries. Will his keen mind and the audiences help be enough?
INFO: Fri. Jan. 18, 10 p.m.; Sat. Jan. 19, 10 p.m., The American Theater, 446 King St., $12.50, (843) 722-3456
INFO: Fri. Jan. 18, 10 p.m.; Sat. Jan. 19, 9 p.m., Stars at The American Theater, 446 King St., $12.50, (843) 722-3456
The Pushers are a Virginia-based sketch comedy group who pride ourselves on their edgy, cantankerous, high energy, take-no-prisoners type of comic theatre. At times our show can be caustic, sophomoric, even a tad bit offensive.
INFO: Sat. Jan. 19, 9:30 p.m., Charleston Ballet Theatre, 477 King St., $12.50, (843) 723-7334
Stand Up Showdown
INFO: Sat. Jan. 19, 9:30 p.m., Tonik, 479 King St., $12.50, (843) 853-8406
Festival Finale
INFO: Sat. Jan. 19, 10:30 p.m., Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St., $17.50, (843) 853-6687