The Definitive Guide to Comedy
While comedy critics and comedians continue to debate the merits of paying the performers at the Upright Citizens Brigade theaters — yes, it remains a healthy debate, along the lines of the old 1970s school versus employer defense once employed by the late Mitzi Shore at The Comedy Store — …
The flagship theater for the Upright Citizens Brigade is moving on up out of the basement of Gristedes supermarket in Chelsea and into a 160-seat theater space of its own in Hell’s Kitchen. After 14 years on West 26th Street, the UCB Theatre will move to 555 W. 42nd St. …
The Upright Citizens Brigade theaters in Los Angeles and New York City will host two special comedy fundraisers next week to support Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with proceeds benefiting Callisto, a nonprofit creating technology that empowers survivors of sexual assault to make the reporting decisions that are right for them. The …
The annual Del Close Marathon brings the founders of the Upright Citizens Brigade together along with thousands of performers from around the world, celebrating their late improv guru Del Close by improvising comedy shows around the clock for a three-day-and-night weekend. In its 18th year, the UCB4 – Amy Poehler, …
The story of the Del Close Marathon is the story of Del Close. And the story of Close is ultimately the story of how improvisation grew from an art form used for acting rehearsals into an actual entertainment event in itself, and how Close spurred its expansion through his disciples …
Ali Farahnakian is living the American comedy dream. Born in Iran and raised in North Carolina, Ali moved to Chicago after college and fell right in with The Second City, improv Olympic and the teachings of Del Close and Charna Halpern. Saying “Yes, And” to life led him to becoming …
Welcome to Last Things First. This is the show that asks comedians about the historic lasts and firsts in their lives as their comedy careers have blossomed — from young people with dreams to adult people living those dreams. Or still dreaming. Questions both big and small are asked and …
