2009
GOD’S POTTERY
As finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, this hilarious comedy duo caught the attention of the nation. God’s Pottery performed at the 2007 Charleston Comedy Festival and fresh off their stint on NBC's Last Comic Standing, GP are bringing their unique blend of music, people-skills and Biblical know-how to Charleston on a holy mission to connect with the Youth of today. They play music! They sing songs! They break-dance! If you brought your partici-pants, put 'em on! Y’all, seriously…it’s funny.
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FUCT
New York City
FUCT is a twisted, “no-rules” sketch troupe that challenges what audiences find “taboo” or “offensive.” Their mission statement is simple: “We do what we think is funny.” Our culture has become too politically correct, so FUCT approaches “dangerous” subjects with a sense of humor and serious theatrical intent, while strapping themselves to a boulder and begging the audience to lash out at them as they will. . . both literally and figuratively. They are, in many ways, a circus of comedy, suffering, and social commentary, incorporating music and dance, nudity and pain, misdirection and audience participation. A show that always asks. . . are you ready to get FUCT?
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COOK COUNTY SOCIAL CLUB
Chicago, IL
Co. Social Club is a critically acclaimed improv and sketch ensemble hailing from Chicago. Forming in 2005 over a mutual love of beer and fast-paced transformational improv, they have since built a cult following, appearing weekly in open run at the iO Chicago Theatre. Members of Cook County perform with other comedy outfits including: the Second City National Touring Company, Improvised Shakespeare Company, and Baby Wants Candy.
"Some of the flat out funniest moments we have ever seen in an improv show come from this fantastic four." - Time Out Chicago
"Dream Team" - Chicago Magazine
"Cook County Social Club are as brazenly committed to improv's "affirm everything" mantra as any I've seen. Their dark, flamboyant comic sensibilities clearly aligned, they orchestrated black-comedy vignettes thethered to richly odd characters."- Chicago Reader -
BUFFOONS (UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE THEATRE)
New York City
Edgy, in-your-face, and unapologetic...Come see why New Yorkers rave about this sketch comedy show that is a fixture at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Charlie Sanders and Eugene Cordero perform old school sketch comedy. Buffoons was a hit at the 2006 Charleston Comedy Festival. The New York Times Buffoons “the 3 stooges of the new milenium.”
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HOT SAUCE
New York City
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre mainstay Hot Sauce (Montreal Comedy Festival) returns to the Charleston Comedy Festival with a full set of improv. Hot Sauce interviews a random audience member for inspiration on their first half of lightning quick comedy. The second half is anyone's guess as the boys try out a secret form they've been perfecting in NY!
Hot Sauce is Ben Schwartz (Robot Chicken), Adam Pally (Taking Woodstock) and Gil Ozeri (Honky Sausages) -
I EAT PANDAS
New York City
Back by popular demand, I Eat Pandas is Glennis McMurray and Eliza Skinner - two NYC-based performers who create 3 spontaneous, sparkly musicals in under an hour. Using a large digital clock and unexplainable musical improv skills, they perform a 25 minute, 15 minute, and 5 minute musical all based on one audience suggestion. Since their first show 3 years ago at New York's Upright Citizens Brigade Theater they have played to sold-out houses and standing ovations all over the country. They were made a featured Critics Pick by Time Out NY's Jane Borden, who said, "You'll smile all the way home and sing their impromtu tunes in your sleep." The NY Daily News' Sean McCarthy went so far as to say "I Eat Pandas (is) the funniest improvised musical comedy duo either side of the Hudson." Alan Rosenberg of the Providence Journal wrote, "You can almost envision their work as beging penned by some Off-Broadway luminary. Dilemma, humor, and resolution in a quarter of an hour-- all in time to music."
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ROSEVILLE: A SUSPENSEFUL COMEDY
Roseville is an original comedy where every character drifts into the
next scene. Jet Eveleth (The Reckoning) and Brendan Jennings (Cook
County Social Club) created the show inspired by the long-form style
"La Round". In a small town a man is gone missing, but will anyone see
beyond their own lives to find him? Two actors create fourteen
characters with all costume changes on-stage. The show is set in real
time with scenes that range from slapstick to silent.
By Jet Eveleth and Brendan Jennings
One town, two actors, fourteen characters, with all costume changes
on-stage and moments that range from slapstick to silent. -
STAND UP DOUBLE FEATURE featuring Jon Steinberg and Rory Scovel
Jon Steinberg
Jon Steinberg is a comedian who gets his material from his unique and twisted view of the world. He has been nominated for several awards including a Canadian Comedy Award for best new comic. Performing since 1999, this dark young mind has appeared on The Comedy Network and XM Satellite Radio, and had his own half hour comedy special on Canadian network T.V. He has toured across Canada blowing minds and pushing boundaries. A truly original and genuine voice - be sure to do yourself a favor and come see this brilliant young comic when he comes your way.
www.jon-steinberg.com
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Rory ScovelRory Scovel's presence on stage can only be equated to the overwhelming awe that you feel when confronted with the blinding beauty of the northern lights. His ability to improvise a large portion of his act is proof that for some comedians even the sky is not the limit, nor space, nor the heavens. For the other portion of his brilliant display of humor, Rory will take simple topics and dissect them to the root of their very being leaving audiences not only with tears of laughter and joy but with the responsibility to think about his words and make this world a better place for him to live .
Rory has been seen on Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham" and appeared in numberous comedy festivals and competitions.www.roryscovel.com - click on "live at gotham" on homepage.
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STAND UP SHOWDOWN featuring Kenny Z and J. Reid
Kenny Z
New York CityKenny Zimlinghaus (aka Kenny Z) is a regular at the Charleston Comedy Festival and former Chucktown resident. Zimlinghaus is remembered best among locals as a wise-crackin' stand-up comedian and radio morning show host. (He currently can be heard on Sirius Satellite Radio's "Cosmo Radio" ch 111 and XM162). Each year, Kenny's brings fellow performers from NYC (seen on Comedy Central, VH1 and The Montreal Comedy Festival). The Charleston City Paper says "Kenny Zimlinghaus has a shuffling and wry style that incongruously comes from a permanently smiling face and great skill in improvisation and left audiences ready for more". This show is fresh, uncensored and fall out of your seats funny and no doubt a great opportunity to see a rising stand-up star in a great setting.
www.zimlinghaus.com
www.myspace.com/kennyzimlinghaus
J. Reid
Las VegasA regular at comedy clubs in Las Vegas, J.Reid is by far one of the hardest working comedians today. With his witty style and his funny impressions, he captures audiences and brings them into his world. His style of comedy is really something special. He can also be seen in the Kevin Spacey film “21.”
www.myj-reid.com
www.myspace.com/jreidscomedy
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GET HYPNOTIZED!
See the comedy show where participation means a lot more then shouting from your seats! Comedian and certified hypnotist Peter Gross gets into your head and creates a show of amazing demonstrations, hilarious skits and 'family friendly' hypno-fun. Peter transforms mild-mannered volunteers into dancing, singing, improvising super stars. Peter has been featured at the Vancouver Comedy Festival and at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal . He has performed for corporations including Microsoft, Intel, and Bose and on the ships of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
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PETER GROSS: MAGIC AND OTHER SUSPECT ACTIVITIES
The CCF is proud to present a comedy show for the WHOLE FAMILY!
Not since Roy got into a wrestling match with his own tiger has there been a magic show that really made people sit up and take notice. But now Peter Gross presents a show with just as many surprises but less Lycra and no need for pressure bandages. And relax: No top hats, no wands, no capes - just laughs. -
THE PUSHERS
Norfolk, VA
This show was a hit at the 2008 Charleston Comedy Festival. The Pushers are a Virginia based sketch comedy group who pride ourselves on our edgy, cantankerous, high energy, take-no-prisoners type of comic theatre. At times our show can be caustic, sophomoric, even a tad bit offensive. Political correctness prevails in American society. We are aware of the sticky fact, and after careful deliberation weave decided to test the system. H.G. Wells once said Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo. We’re not really sure what that means but we do apologize in advance to anyone we may offend.
"Imagine Wild and Raunchy on steroids and you’ll have an inkling of what The Pushers are all about. Portfolio Weekly.
“The Pushers' comedy is cutting edge, often controversial and definitely not for those who are sensitive or close minded.” Mace and Crown.www.thepushers.net
www.myspace.com/pushers
www.youtube.com/pushers -
ROCKOLA! (from Dad’s Garage Theatre in Atlanta)
Now the music you love the most can be a part of this fast paced unscripted show. Audience members provide a list of songs, which are played thoughout the performance. The actors use the music to inspire scenes and personal stories that will totally rock you like a hurricane.
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HORSE & HOUSE
Horse & House is a four-man longform improv ensemble with a reputation for fast, physical, and wildly imaginative comedy performances. Armed with a single audience suggestion, Horse & House fires off 30 minutes of comedic scenes that ricochet around a central theme. Together the members of Horse & House have delighted crowds in their hometown of Washington, DC as well as New York City, Chicago, Toronto, Philadelphia, Charleston, and Baltimore.
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BEST FRIENDS
As a kid, it was half of your little league team. As a teen, it was half a six pack. As an adult, it was half of your wedding party. As an old man it's half your memories. BFF: what makes friends last forever? Best Friends, the always hilarious and often heart-warming show from Washington DC & New York City, explores the things that bring people together and the stresses that pull them apart.
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SID VISCOUS
As a longform house team that performs weekly at the Peoples Improv Theater in New York City, Sid Viscous has experimented and explored many forms of improv.
"SidViscous performed at the Baltimore Improv Festival this year and
they rocked the house! They have a style that's energetic and
hilarious. They're not afraid to take risks and they really enjoy
themselves on stage. We hope they come back to Baltimore soon!"
---Bob Carter, a founder of the Baltimore Improv Festwww.sidviscous.com
myspace.com/sidviscous
myspace.com/sidviscousimprov
www.youtube.com/sidviscousimprov
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LEAD MCENROE
Lead McEnroe Presents: Songs of the Cul-De-Sac is a character driven long-form improv show featuring scenes inspired by an actual location that holds some significance for a member of our audience. It's a comedy show that takes on a different (slightly more theatrical) feel than a typical long-form improv show. They perform regularly at The Magnet Theater in New York City.
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ELVIS MEETS EINSTEIN
Atlanta
Einstein meets Elvis is ROCKET FUELED improv! JaCKPie's award winning touring team, EmE, is made up of an all-star cast that promises to rock your socks off. (EmE not responsible for lost socks.) A "real life" filmmaker, a lawyer, a computer guru, a builder of motorcycles and graphics, a master of props, a builder or songs and music, an actor and an actress... these minds create a show that just can't be missed.
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MISTER DIPLOMAT
Dirty South in Raleigh, NC
Mister Diplomat has been making audiences laugh since 2003. Each show features true stories told by one of the performers, a local celebrity or special guest. These anecdotes inspire a world of absurd scenes, fully improvised by the most aggressive comedians in North Carolina. Hailed as a "...blitzkrieg of hilarious shorts" and repeatedly named "Best Bet" by The Independent, Diplomat tours the country performing comedy and plays to sold out crowds at home every Friday night.
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NECKPROV
What's funnier than rednecks doin' improv? Maybe cats boxing, but where are you gonna find that? Come join Charleston's newest improv group featuring redneckness at its best!
Come join Skeeter, Wild Man, Jackson, Carlene, R.L., Ray Ray and Chevron for an evening for rednecks and those who are curious about rednecks. This long form will weave a tapestry of stereotypical redneck situations and not so stereotypical situations into a gut busting show that will have you waving the stars and stripes and yelling “Free Bird.” What if rednecks were at the signing of the Declaration of Independence? What if they were the brains behind such great inventions as the telescope, duck pate or the atom bomb? Come find out! Someone is gonna burn down their trailer house trying to deep fry some road kill. It’s all improv based on your suggestions. Rednecks don’t write scripts. -
3 PLAY
3 Play is a three person long form improv group. The members of 3 play (Jenny Pringle, Greg Tavares and R.W. Smith) approach improv as actors first and comics second. They start each scene by describing a setting with no idea about the characters who are there.
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BIG DICKTIONARY
Big Dicktionary is a two-person, long-form improvisational comedy team composed of Timmy Finch and John Brennan. The two have just enough in common to share the stage and break many of the "rules" to entertain. Neither one is safe from the other as they keep the show tight and fast even as they call out each others' foibles. Oh yeah, they use a very big dictionary in the show.
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MORAL FIXATION
Moral Fixation is a 2 man long form improv show birthed from the fertile loins of Lee Lewis (Doppelganger, Fishing with Dynamite, Who Wants to be a Superhero, The Harry and Sam Dialogues) and Greg Tavares(The Have Nots, History of Charleston For Morons, 3-Play, The Harry and Sam Dialogues). Come watch as they take one audience member suggestion and through personal revelation and virtuoso scenework weave an intricate tapestry of artistic deliciousness. With almost 10 years of improv and acting experience as a team, it's improv at the speed of brilliance! The perfect show for those who like their comedy a little on the meaty side...
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DOPPELGANGER
In a world where rock was king, the drugs were free, and the women were easy; two men formed from fire and brimstone a band that would transcend time and space: "DOPPELGANGER!" Now that Clive Neilsen (Lee Lewis - Moral Fixation) and Johnny Dregg (Jason Cooper - Playlist, Weird Science), have fallen on hard times they are bringing their "hits" to their most rabid fans...for ONE NIGHT ONLY!!!
Come see Charleston's only all improvised rock show, where you, the audience, shout out the "titles" of your favorite DOPPELGANGER! songs, and have them performed for the first and last time ever. -
THE BANANA MONOLOGUES
A perspective on relationships from the Banana's point of view
The hilarious true story about one relationship, one woman... that gave one man, the best sex of his life... and all the crap that went all long with it. The Banana Monologues, written by John Brennan and Jason Cooper, is based on a diary by Gus Weiderman about his tumultuous 5-year relationship with his then-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.
John Brennan, voted Best Local Actor & Best Local Comic by the readers of Charleston City Paper and co-writer of 'Hobo the Musical' voted Best Non-Piccolo and Spoleto play of 2006, plays all the characters including the banana. Jason Cooper, a writer and performer with 'The Bottom Line' (a now-defunct sketch comedy group), currently performs in a music/improv show as one of the front men from the fictional band, Doppelganger. The Banana Monologues is directed by Mary Cimino. She brought 'Lilita', her own show, to Piccolo and the Edinburgh Festival in 2005 and before that to the New York Fringe. She has also directed the Have Nots in 'A Tuna Christmas.'For more information on the Banana Monologues (including pics and videos) go to www.thebananamonologues.com
For more information about or to order the book, 'Tales From the Relationship' go to www.talesfromtherelationship.com -
FULL LOVE THROTTLE
After working together since 1991, Greg Tavares and Brandy Sullivan (both of The Have Nots!) decided it was time to do a 2-person show. It starts by taking information from one audience volunteer and then dives headfirst into characters and scenes that you won’t soon forget.
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THIS IS CHUCKTOWN
Wildly inventive, original and sharp sketch comedy from your home town, CHUCKTOWN! This is CHUCKTOWN! is a collection of the best local comics combined forces to present the greatest comedy the world has ever produced!!! You'll laugh! You'll Cry! You'll laugh at other people crying! Special appearance from local sketch group Foxhole Feng Shui. The duo that is so funny you'll piss someone else's pants! Ladies and Gentleman, this is local, this is the best, This is CHUCKTOWN!
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FESTIVAL FINALE
The hottest ticket in the festival! This 2 hour extravaganza is a sample platter of many of the festival shows and artists. Get your tickets now before they sell out.