dccomedyfest!

Interview with Todd Barry!!!

2008-08-06T18:42:00.001-07:00

If you are like us, you're sitting there thinking about the best way guarantee that you will have a stellar time at the dccomedyfest. You've combed over the website and your mouse keeps bring you back to the same conclusion... "Must see Todd Barry!"

Take your own advice, go see Todd Barry.

Don't trust yourself? Well then, let's see if Todd himself can talk you into it. Todd has three Cd's that will convince you to put yourself in one of our seats. If that's not enough we caught up with Todd and sprinkled him with questions (so if he has sprinkles on him when you see him, it was probably us) and he was kind enough to answer them.

DCCF: What would you be doing if you hadn't gone into Stand-Up?

TODD: I'd probably work at the Apple Store, or be on the Supreme Court.

DCCF: What was it like to roast Chevy Chase?

TODD: It was a bit odd because you usually roast someone who you are friends with. I didn't meet him until I was done roasting him. But still, it was one of the best times I've had performing.

DCCF: Random question here, but we see from the picture of your refrigerator on your website that you enjoy “All-Bran” serial. Do you eat it with soy, skim, 2% or whole milk?

TODD: I rarely eat cereal, but I'd probably go with skim milk. IT JUST MAKES SENSE!!!!!

DCCF: Our research shows that you've performed all over the world. How do your international fans differ from those here in the U.S.?

TODD: For the most part, they don't differ. They're just people sitting there waiting for you to be funny.

DCCF: What was it like for you to see yourself turned into a cartoon on Comedy Central's "Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist" show?

TODD: I'm pretty happy with it, except in one of the episodes they had me wearing a vest. I've never worn a vest in my life. I don't think so, anyway.

DCCF: Any “Great Todd Barry Quotes” that we could use exclusively for or about this dccomedyfest interview?

TODD: DC!!!!!!

See that DC, even one of his famous "Great Todd Barry Quotes" has your name all over it. Catch Todd and the rest of the dccomedyfest by getting your tickets now!

Interview with TJ Miller!

2008-08-04T20:09:00.001-07:00

Didn't think we'd let the fest come and go without interviewing at least one of our amazing acts, did you? Of course not! Danielle Scherr, one of our awesome festival producers who you'll see running around keeping the magic going, caught up with TJ Miller (Hud from the hit movie Cloverfield and Carpooler's Marmaduke Brooker) for a chat.

Danielle: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with dccomedyfest, and for giving your fans the chance to spend some time inside the mind of TJ Miller himself.

TJ: Hey Dccomedyfest. Thanks for spending the time with me, and for spending some time inside, in my mind, with me myself.

Danielle: You have worked in a large variety of comedic venues: from live group Improv and sketch comedy - with Recess at GWU, Second City and IO in Chicago - to stand-up across the country, TV roles, and even on the Big Screen, of these many forms of performance is there one that you prefer in particular?

T.J.: No, not really. I prefer interactive children’s theater, but just as an audience member. I prefer sitting with the children. That to me is performance, sitting with children. I’m really interested in how the medium affects the performance, or how the mediums works in different contexts. It’s interesting to see what lends itself better to stand-up more than sketch, or in an improvisational setting, or to racist ventriloquism. It’s also interesting to see how the medium affects the comedy. Shows on TV require a lot less physical exertion as opposed to a live performance. The content to me is most important, not just the medium - if it’s a great idea on film then it’s just as interesting to me as a great stand-up bit. It’s all about what the content is.

Danielle: Sorry about the awkward silences, I’m writing down what you’re saying. This more half bad-date, half interview.

TJ: *laughs* Well I definitely want that mentioned somewhere in the interview

Danielle: In terms of your live performances, do you feel a strong distinction between how audiences receive your Improvisation versus your stand-up routines?

T.J. - That’s the most interesting question of the three, and thank you for interviewing me. Group improv is often giving you a little more lee-way because the audience knows it’s made-up and it doesn’t have to always be funny. While with stand-up the audience tends to be a lot harder on you, they expect, and rightly so, that everything you say is going to be funny. There is a tacit agreement between you and audience that you can talk about anything but, first and foremost it has to be funny. Improv allows for the performer to be dramatic at times and is of course more organic. I try to incorporate improv into my stand-up. The best version of my stand-up is improvising my way to and from the pre-written material, and that all meshes to become my act. In the best stand-up you can’t tell what was improvised and what was written.

Danielle: What was your experience like at Second City?

TJ: It was good. Second City was a great place to work, there is a reason people that work there end up doing well outside of Second City. It’s a place where there is so much performing going on, and talented people. I was touring all over the country, and one Monday a month you can perform at the mainstage in front of a very big hometown Second City audience. It has all the frustrations of any theatre company, but it was a great experience improvising after every show. It gave me a lot of repetition performing, and you work with some of the funniest people in Chicago, they’re really pretty amazing people working in that building. It is comedy university in a way, but you have to have extracurricular activities.

Danielle: What would you say has been your most memorable stand-up experience?

TJ: A lot of them are memorable, but recently I did a show with Andy Kindler in Montreal. It was this big theater show with a lot of people that I really look up to, and suddenly I was performing in a show with them. I think Andy Kindler is one of the funniest guys alive and now I’m doing a show with him which is pretty amazing. Even just performing in Montreal was a really great experience. I’ve been doing showcases and performing etc. but I always wondered about how people get invited to perform in certain shows, and once I got “Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch” I just got invited up to do a set. It’s pretty amazing to be a part of a festival that I have always been in awe of. I don’t know if it’s the MOST memorable, but this one was great. Some of the worst performances are just as memorable as the best, and they are all equally valuable for your development as a comedian.

Danielle: As Marmaduke Brooker on “Carpoolers” you play a character whose humor is drawn from his combination of large physical stature and “emotionally stunted and hyper-articulate” personality. Do you enjoy playing characters whose comedic qualities are so clearly emphasized in the show, or do prefer roles based in more subtle absurdity?

TJ: It was a very specific situation, I try to tailor what I do comedically to the context. “Carpoolers” was on a network that was more family friendly and I was this element that was the most outrageous part of the show. I played a character that was very different from myself. While acting in Cloverfield I wanted to play a character that was closer to home and more relatable. In “Carpoolers” my character was written to be played as a stoner/slacker but I said, I think this has been done before, so instead I did a character living at home by choice because he thinks it strengthens the family unit. A sort of a eccentric guy that maybe was brilliant, the character was retarded in some ways but accelerated in others. Hud (from “Cloverfield) is an awkward dude that wants everyone to have a good time, but he has been thrown into a crazy situation: and that’s where he gets his bigness from *Tj dramatically yells “MONSTROUS” at this point in the interview*.

Danielle: On "http://www.tjmillerdoesnothaveawebsite.com/" I found that you have a list of both notable and impressive skills. Such as, fold tongue, juggle and define most words. Could you tell me the best thing you have ever juggled?

TJ: I’ve juggled knives, torches, clubs, and apples; all sorts of dangerous things.

Danielle: What is the best word you have recently defined?

TJ: I feel like I use surreptitious too much. I’ve been very surreptitious about using it in this interview. I like to use it because I can define it using another word people don’t know, which is clandestine.

Danielle: Do you have anything in the works right now?

TJ: OH YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! I HAVE SO MANY PROJECTS IN THE WORKS I CANT EVEN SAY IT ALL OVER THE INTERNET. It won’t even fit on the internet, but you can try. I’m telling you, it won’t fit. I’m working on “How to Train Your Dragon” a Dreamworks, animated film. Also, “She’s Out of My League” which will be in theaters next spring. I have an incredibly small part in the movie “The Goods: The Don Ready Story” where I am physically attached to Jeremy Piven (WHICH I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT). I also wrote a short called “Successful Alcoholics” that Lizzy Caplan from “Cloverfield” is in. Also, I’m pitching a TV show which will probably not get picked up, and if not we’ll make it a dvd.

Danielle: Your comedic career has grown very rapidly, what is one of the major goals you hope to accomplish in the future?

TJ: I’d like to take my stand-up to the next level, but not a full next level, just a half a level. I really want to develop and tour more with stand-up. Also, I’d like to get to do something I have more control over. All the things I’ve worked on I’ve just been hired to be an actor in, and although I’ve improvised on those projects, I really want to get to a place where I have more control over the content. Which is why I love sketch and improv and stand-up where I have complete control. It’s your content. Not just your take on the content. It takes a really long time and a lot of credibility to get to that point. For example I play a character named “Stainer” in “She’s Out of My League”. If I had to tell 8 year old TJ that he would be called Stainer in a movie called “She’s Out of My League” I don’t know how he’d feel. He might cry. He might just be really scared and confused about how someone from the future came back to tell him about movies he’d be in. But you have to do this stuff to build credibility. I want to get to a place where I have creative control.

Danielle: What was the best part of being a guest on the “Late Show with David Letterman”?

TJ: Honestly, that whole experience was surreal. The thing that makes me laugh over and over again is when I say “I’m on letterman!”. That was a bit I had prepared, there was more to it. Someone on a comedy blog (thecomicscomic) had actually said I was so excited that I just yelled it out, which is not true. I’m really much more professional and composed than that. If you watch the clip David Letterman has seen it all, and so when some guy yells out “I’m on Letterman this is amazing” he just glosses right over that comment, moves right on to the next thing like a seasoned vet. It also makes me look slightly crazy.

Danielle: Is there anything you want us to make sure dccomedyfest blog readers know about before coming to see you perform this year in the festival?

TJ: Get in there! If you miss the show it’s not something you’re ever going to get back in your life. So don’t face the possibility of regret, it’s something you can’t overcome. Not only is it going to be funny but I’m performing with some incredible acts, it will be a really great show that you’ll regret missing. Regret is really hard to live with.

Take our word for it, don’t regret not seeing TJ Miller live in action. Get you ticket’s now to reserve your seats.

No Joke! The dccomedyfest is here!

2008-08-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

So there you were in March. No dccomedyfest. April, same deal. May?!? No dccomedyfest! What up with that? Quietly, Silently, Carefully we were planning the best fest yet!

"Best fest yet" you say!

Yes, Best fest yet!

How can that be? We've got it all. Stand-up? Check! Improv? Check! Sketch? Check! Come see Todd Barry (yes that awesome guy from Dr. Katz), TJ Miller (Hud from Cloverfield), JB Smoove, The New Adorables, Lizz Winstead, and so many more at the fest.

When is it? How about next weekend! That's right August 7, 8, and 9th!

Where can you find out more? How about our main website http://www.dccomedyfest.com/? Check it out to find out if you are going to see shows at your favorite venue! The ComedySpot? Check! The DC Improv? Check! The Black Cat? Check! The Source Theater? Check! The Arlington Cinema and Draft House? Check! A Synagogue? Sure we've got one... Sixth & I! A dance club? Check, head for Town Danceboutique! No taverns, I don't see a tavern, do I? Check, we've got Solly's Tavern on Tap!

Order your tickets today!

Interview with Rob Cantrell

2007-04-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

You've been combing over our Shows page (not your bald spot) and probably have thought "Snap, I love all these new acts this year. But, and I have a really BIG BUT, how about some comics I know and love. Last year you had Rob Cantrell from Last Comic Standing. Where is the talent like that?" Well brace yourselves, we have Rob Cantrell coming back just for you.

Yep, that's right Rob Cantrell. Rob grew up right here in our area, went off to pursue happiness and fame, and now comes back on occasion to show his city of origin a little of the funny that made him famous. We got him to answer a few questions just for you.

dccf: Hey Rob, thanks for taking the time to talk with us again. It’s been a year since we last talked to you. We are looking forward to having you back at this year’s dccomedyfest. What have you been up to since last year’s fest? Any highlights you want to share with us?

Rob: I made Theatrical debut in Chicago in The Marijuana-logues with Doug Benson and Tony Camin last week. That was huge and so the Yacht bought with Fat Joe last September.

dccf: We saw that you were just in DC for a show with Zach Galifianakis at Lisner Auditorium. How was that experience?

Rob: It rocked!! Zach is super talented. He is the only pianist that I know that can dip Copenhagen tobacco and smoke crack at the same time.

dccf: Along with Zach, who have been some of the performers you have performed with over the years? Any dream match-ups for a One Night Only show?

Rob: Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan, Mitch Hedberg, Arj Barker, Dave Attell, Lewis Black and Todd Barry. ///Chappelle or Chris Rock would be my dream line up.

dccf: Is your DC fan base different from the fans you encounter else where in the U.S.? Rob: I really don't make it back to DC as much as I would like but everytime I am in town I am doing something new and I think my fans appreciate that.. ... They have seen me grow like a flower..An extremely hetero-sexual flower.

dccf: On the CD page of your web site (http://www.robcantrell.com/cd.html), you appear in a Karate outfit. Any chance you are vying for a Jackie Chan styled role in an upcoming film?

Rob: Yeah, that photo is for my album which is tentatively titled "Exile On Lame Street". On the Chan film? Nope, I'm an old school Bruce Lee motherfucker.

dccf: This year on your “What’s Happenin’…” space on your website you have a link to a video clip of you performing? Are there any other good places for folks looking to check out a little more of your material before coming to see you at this year’s dccomedyfest?

Rob: Brooklynradio.net

dccf: What is the strangest place you have found the idea for one of your jokes or bits?

Rob: In jail.

dccf: Stand-up must have a lot of moments for you where you just have laugh off how strange or surreal something that just happened to you. Was there one moment you could share with us where you were like “I don’t even think I would believe me that that just happened!!!”?

Rob: I grew wings and I took a shit on a cop in mid flight.

dccf: For dccomedyfest audience members who haven’t been lucky enough to see you perform yet, what can they expect to see? And is there a special treat for people who did catch you last year (or several times since)?

Rob: I keep it real and I have new sweatshirt.

dccf: Anything you want us to make sure dccomedyfest blog readers know about this year?

Rob: My show is 7pm Friday @ HR-57, I love you in a very hetero-sexual flower way.. Check me out!

Want to get more pre-fest samples of Rob before you come to the fest? Tune into 106.7 FREEFM on Friday Morning April 13th to hear Rob Cantrell on the Sports Junkies. Then make a bee line to the fest to see his show (the seats will fill fast).

Interview with Rory Scovel

2007-04-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

It's time to check in with a local favorite. You've seen him all over the DC area performing. And then you haven't seen him for a while.

He's a Stand-Up. No! An Improvist! No! A Stand-Up! That's right, he's both. And who is the local rising young star? None other than Rory Scovel. Rory started local, has toured around some, and is now taking the Big Apple by storm. We caught up with Rory and found out what he has been up to since last year.

dccf: Hey Rory, Thanks for taking a few minutes to answer a few questions. Sure you are from DC, but people have questions. What have you been up to lately?

Rory: Things have been pretty hectic lately. My girlfriend and I recently moved to Hoboken, NJ to pursue our entertainment dreams. We've been playing in NYC and trying to get some stage time. She was recently cast in 2 productions and I have been doing any standup show I can get on.

dccf: We understand you spent a lot of time in Canada and other northern places last fall. Were you hiding from the police or was it something comedy related that took you out of town for a while?

Rory: I did a yuk yuks comedy tour through western Canada. I was fortunate enough to get a booking with Yuk Yuks through Dave Moroz at Aspen Talent and couldn't see myself turning down the offer. It landed me the opportunity to meet great comics in Seattle, Washington as well, which is what landed me a spot in the 2006 Seattle Comedy Competition.

dccf: Any way people can check out parts of your adventures from last fall?

Rory: On my website (www.roryscovel.com) I have the 17 minute set I performed the very last night of the seattle competition and also a new documentary that I'm working on. The doc is about myself and a few comics and what performing comedy means to us and what effect it has on our outlook on life. We all have different opinions but one bond, we love performing.

dccf: Your website mentions that you have "infectious stage presence". Has this been reported to the Center for Disease Control and what are the symptoms?

Rory: It has been reported and they told me to F off, which I thought was a little immature. Since that day I've been trying to bring down the Center for Disease Control. Everyone has a platform, this one is mine.

dccf: You just finished taping for Live at Gotham. Can you tell us what that was like and where and when we can expect to check that out?

Rory: It was an amazing experience. I never pictured myself getting such an opportunity so the entire weekend was overwhelming. The experience overall was great. All the comics that were taping that weekend were really cool and the actual show itself was more fun than I can describe. I was very nervous prior to my set but then realized the audience was very much on the performers sides. I think the show airs sometime in May or June. i haven't been fully informed but heard that info from a small white rabbit. hahahahaha, see how funny I am?

dccf: Why are we under the impression that you can help us with the purchase of an HDTV?

Rory: I taped a commercial for Circuit City a year and a half ago or something like that. Thanks to my buddy and improv partner Tyler Korba I was given the chance to audition for the shoot. Tyler works with Discovery Channel and they were hired to shoot the commercial. That experience was really cool as well. I'm just glad they were able to find something I said on tape usable. I don't see myself as much of an actor.

dccf: What was the strangest review that you've ever received after a show?

Rory: Hmmmmm. I'm not sure. I don't get reviewed very often. I was told that there was someone in the audience this past christmas in Greenville, SC who found my set to be super cheesy. Nothing pisses me off more than not knowing who that person is so I can ask them why they think that.

dccf: What was the 2006 Seattle International Comedy Competition experience like for you?

Rory: It was a really cool one. I was able to meet a lot of great comics that were competiting who have dropped my name to many people and helped me get random stagetime and attention. Comics help comics more than anyone else and that competition was a great way to meet more comics. I also was given the chance to spend a month in Seattle, a city I have now grown to love more than most. If you haven't visited Seattle, do so. The comedy here is incredible, the scene is thriving and the overall energy in the city is very creative and artistic.

dccf: Now that you are a full time stand-up comic, will audiences who know you from the various improv shows still be able to see you perform some improv?

Rory: Dr. Fantastic will be performing improv at the DC comedyfest this year. If you know anything about Dr. F, you know that we are the greatest improv troupe in the history of time and even before time was invented. This show will see the return of Dr. F cofounder Zhubin Parang. He is a "lawyer" now in NYC and has missed a few Dr. F performance opportunities. It will be fun to play with him again. I use quotations because lawyer stands for drug dealer in the big apple.

dccf: Anything you want us to make sure dccomedyfest blog readers know about before coming to see you at the fest?

Rory: I love money. Bring some money and just hurl it at me while on stage. I love pretending I'm in "showgirls" also. I use quotations because showgirls stands for "Zhubin's living room buying drugs."

Don't miss your chance to catch Rory at the fest. You'll then be able to say you saw Rory before the he "Made It Big". And by "Made It Big" we mean "Made It Big".

2007-04-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

You, the blog reader, are probably sitting there thinking "Gee, dccomedyfest, you've talked to top notch acts from the world of improv & sketch, and even talked to a stellar Canadian Stand-up comic. Do we need to prompt you to talk to some homegrown all-star American talent?" The answer, a resounding no. In fact, we sat down and blogged a while with none other than Elon James White.

We think you'll love Elon James, but we'll let him win you over.

dccf: How did you get first get involved with Stand-up comedy?

Elon James: I first started stand-up after being yelled at. I was working in corporate (Information Technology Bitches, WHAT!) and I would go hang out at a little west Indian restaurant and complain. Every day I'd go tell stories about all the people I hated and one of the customers who would come by and hear my complaining told me I should be a stand-up. I argued for about 6 months but then relented and have been doing ever since.

dccf: So far in your career, what has the most interesting place Stand-up has taken you to perform?

Elon James: The most interesting place I've done comedy was at a bar somewhere in the middle of Pennsylvania where people were wearing cowboy hats, but not in an ironic way. They were serious. It looked like the bar from "The Accused"(never heard of it? Wiki that mutha!) Me walking into the town tripled the Black population. I realize that's mathematically impossible, but rest assured it happened. But I had a great time.

dccf: What made you decide to found "The Brooklyn Comedy Company"?

Elon James: Drinking. Definitely started with a little drinking. I was at my favorite bar (Ripple Bar, what!) in Brooklyn and in an effort to rationalize the inordinate amount of time I was spending there, I figured I'd start doing shows there. But I over do EVERYTHING, so next thing you know I was holding auditions, branding a style of comedy that I wanted to push and then boom. We have BcCo. It's been one of the defining things in my comedy career.

dccf: For those of not in the know, can you tell us about "4 Shades of Black" and why it has received so much critical acclaim?

Elon James: "4 Shades of Black" was born out of frustration. A lot of people have one view of a "Black" comedian and its normally shaped by Comic View and Def Jam. I was told "You're not a black comic" 1 too many times. So I decided to create a show with other comedians I know who had similar experiences. I wanted to show that black comedy is quite diverse. And I think that's why the show is well received. It's not conforming to anything. Its comedy that messes with preconceptions.

dccf: What should fans looking to see "4 Shades of Black" at the fest expect to see?

Elon James: A top of the line show. Baron Vaughn was at the HBO Comedy Arts Festival last year and is all over the country now. Michelle Buteau was on Premium Blend, HBO Comedy Arts Fest '07 and has a few TV shows under her belt and Jordan Carlos Just did Live At Gotham and was at the "Just for Laughs" festival last year.. This is a dynamic show that I'm proud to be apart of.

dccf: The other members of "4 Shades of Black" are Jordan Carlos, Michelle Buteau, and Baron Vaughn. Do you all have a competitive relationship off stage, trying to be the funniest person in room? Or is more of a family feel?

Elon: Everyone does what they do. There's not really any competition since we're all very different types of people. It's all about the funny.

dccf: We see from your blog, Catharsis 101, that you live with two women. Do you ever find yourself in and Three is Company moments?

Elon James: If by "ever find" you mean "at all time" then yes. I live with 2 comedians and one of them is my girlfriend so its constantly a full fledged sitcom. 'How can I drive my roommate crazy? Ooooh, I know. Wax the floor! Yeah, she won't be able to walk with out falling, but then again, I did clean the floor, hahaha, Life is grand.'

dccf: Your blog mentions that you didn't try out for "Last Comic Standing" this year but are planning to do so next year. Are you going to watch this year? Is it hard to watch other stand-ups?

Elon James: I'll watch if anyone I know gets on. I do watch an incredibly large amount of comedy in general so I may not be the first one in front of the TV but I'm sure I'll be well versed (since everyone I know will tell me about it)

dccf: Occasionally the audience must do things that catch you off guard. What has the audience done at times that has kept the shows fun for you?

Elon James: I've had audience run up to me after my set to give me updates about my old neighborhood. I come from Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, and occasionally discuss the ghetto of legend on stage. No matter where I am there's always someone who's from there, or has family from there, or has been there on a very unfortunate day. I had a family run up to me yelling "There's an APPLEBEE's! There's an APPLEBEE's IN BED-STUY!" The concept of thugs trying to get an apple turnover, to me? Hilarious.

dccf: What acts at this year's dccomedyfest are you looking forward to having a chance to see in action?

Elon James: Well I'll probably catch Rob Cantrell. I've worked with him a lot in NYC but haven't seen him in a while so it'll be cool to see him do his thing. I'll probably get over to catch Eddie Brill as well.

dccf: For dccomedyfest audience members who haven't been lucky enough to see you perform yet, what can they expect to see?

Elon James: A Blazer. I'm pretty sure there's gonna be a Blazer involved.

dccf: Anything you want us to make sure dccomedyfest blog readers know about you and "4 Shades of Black"?

Elon James: That we're awesome. Pretty sure that's all they need to now. oh, and we'll be giving away money and gold and other things that might make people want to come to the show.

If we've peaked you interest head to our shows and tickets page for more details. Then we'll see you at the HR-57 Mainstage: 9:00PM on Friday April 13th for The Tonight Show Audition Show where you'll get to see Elon Audition to be on you guessed it THE TONIGHT SHOW!!!

Interview with LOUNGE-ZILLA's Fiely Matias

2007-03-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

If you find yourself thinking "The dccomedyfest has a lot of good acts, but I'm looking for something that is refreshingly adult in nature and outside what I would see in the average club or theater. I bet they don't have that kind of show!" Well, you'd be hands down, flat out, 100% wrong.

Please Welcome Back LOUNGE-ZILLA. This sensational act wowed audiences at the 2005 dccomedyfest and is a fan and critic favorite everywhere they go. This show has it all. Lounging Singing, Adult Humor, and an AMAZING 3-D Special Effects Finale that MUST BE SEEN TO BELIEVE. So get your tickets and line up now to insure you get your seats for this show.

Not convinced yet? Let's meet Fiely Matias (aka LOUNGE-ZILLA) and just see if you can resist getting in line to see him in action.

dccf: Thanks for taking a few minutes to share some info with dccomedyfest audiences. It sounds like Lounge-zilla has been very busy since we saw you guys at the 2005 dccomedyfest. What have you guys been up to since then?

FIELY: The past few years have been all about the 'LOUNGE-ZILLA! - Asian InvAsian Tour!' My trusty piano-clanging sidekick Dennis T. Giacino (better known as 'Scary Manilow') and I have been on the road full- time and it's been a blast! We've performed at by-invite-only comedy fests and venues in New York City, Singapore, Toronto, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, Palm Springs and, of all places, a cruise ship bound for Belize! We're about to embark on a tour of Canada this summer (Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver, Saskatoon and Regina). The last city, Regina, is pronounced like 'Vagina' so it just feels a little bit naughty everytime we talk about it but we're going no matter how anatomically female the place sounds. My future plans also include working on a duet album with Tony Bennet just so I can win a Grammy. Now if only someone would tell him about the project I'd be on my way!

dccf: How did the shows in Prague go? Was the language difference a problem or is good comedy fun a language of its own?

FIELY: Prague was crazy, Euro fun! The castles, the parks, the people -- beautiful! The men, the women -- all gorgeous. I was walking across the Charles Bridge one afternoon and it was jam-packed with hundreds of super-model-like Czechs -- that's when I realized that I was the ugliest person in the city. Prague is a real melting pot of Czechs, Brits, Germans and Americans so most folks speak English there. They loved the show! And for those who didn't speak English -- well, they just cheered when I stepped out the pup tent sporting a giant penis in the 3-D finale of my show. Those newly democratic Commie countries just love anti-establishment, edgy comedy! Besides, where else can you see an Asian that well hung?

dccf: Do you find that audiences know what they are getting themselves into when they come to a Lounge-zilla show?

FIELY: Mostly. We attempt to get the word out in the press with such taglines as "an atomic blast of TWISTED MUSIC, NAUGHTY COMEDY and an OUTRAGEOUS 3-D FINALE that must be seen to be believed!" Or "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned . . . except for a bitter gay Asian cabaret singer with a broken heart and a microphone." Even better -- "He sings. He dances. He sucks! He's the Armaggedon of Queer Cabaret and he's invading the world!" Still, every once in a while, we get someone who thinks they're seeing a cute little Asian guy singing Karaoke! And now with that Sunjaya kid on 'America Idol' -- all the crowds want are goofy hairstyles, funny costumes and off-key singing. Sunjaya and I are doing our best to oblige.

dccf: What made you guys decide to do a bad lounge act comedy show? When did you realize that you had failed to do a bad lounge act and had to accept that you had a great show on your hands?

FIELY: We have a great show on our hands? Thanks for the compliment but don't tell nobody! Our act is much better if the audience's expectations are low. And if they're liquored up a little beforehand. For real, we made the decision to create 'LOUNGE-ZILLA!' -- the most ludicrously awful, self-centered lounge singer known to mankind -- several years ago in New York City. We had mistakenly stumbled into a supremely awful lounge show (which will go unnamed to protect the guilty) which was filled with overly emoted contrived ballads, ridiculous costumes, clunky piano accompaniment and botched tech cues. We felt so bad for the guy. It was sad. Very sad. Which, naturally, makes it very funny and ripe for a comedy spoof -- bad singers, fun punchy lyrics, loud costumes -- who could pass that up?! Think of 'LOUNGE- ZILLA!' as our homage to so-bad-it's-good entertainment -- kinda like 'The Captain and Tennille' only without the creepy sailor outfit and the page boy haircut!

dccf: Which review or award has meant the most to you since you started doing the show?

FIELY: Reviews and awards are great but what's the meant the most to us over the year's is just watching our audiences enjoy the shock and shlock of 'LOUNGE-ZILLA!' Laughter is so very healing and we somehow feel that we're doing our part to make the world a better place. Too Miss America for ya? Well, then the 'BEST COMEDY' and 'BEST OF FEST' awards at the USA National GLBT Theatre Fest, the San Francisco, Orlando and Halifax Fringe Fests feel pretty damn good. And Theatermania.com in New York City calling the show "A helluva lot of fun!" And getting the covers of the San Francisco Weekly, New York Blade, Miami Express News, Orlando Sentinel, Seattle Gay News and the Washington Post (Express Edition) -- that was rewarding. And EdgeBoston.com rating the show an "A+!" above the Blue Man Group, Elaine Stritch's Tony-award winning show and 'The Lion King.' Sweet! But more than all those meaningless kudos, we mostly do the show as a love letter to humanity.

dccf: Should the audience bring their own 3-D glasses?

FIELY: We supply the 3-D glasses free of charge -- we're a class act. Oh, and the best part is that you get to keep the glasses -- take 'em with you. We only ask that you don't tell us what else you do with them in the privacy of your own home. We prefer that little secret stays with you.

dccf: What are you, the Oops Guys, looking forward the most about in coming back to DC?

FIELY: The audiences and the folks who run the dccomedyfest! The best! Blaire, Dave and the dccomedyfest! gang really know how to put on a grand show -- very artist friendly! And the D.C. audiences are great! Real laughers -- and how could you not be considering the political climate nowadays in town? Speaking of which, I am also looking forward to testifying in the Alberto Gonazalez investigation. I have nothing to do with the situation so I know they won't subpeona me but wouldn't I love to appear on CSPAN wearing a glitter kimono and an orange-pink boa? Maybe we could do it in 3-D!

dccf: Occasionally the audience must do things that catch you off guard. What has the audience done at times that has kept the shows fun for you?

FIELY: They show up. That always catches us off guard. Actually, the audience plays a central character in our show. And some folks do find their way to the stage from time to time. We had this 79-year-old grandmother who was a real wise-ass in one of our New England shows last summer. She was so sweet but had the comedy chops (and mouth!) of a truck driver. Always one-upping the 'ZILLA with off-color one-liners! It was an absolute blast! We love the audience interplay during the show. It makes 'LOUNGE-ZILLA!' wildly unpredictable, new and exciting every time you see it and, above all, dangerously LIVE! Q: For dccomedyfest audience members who haven't been lucky enough to see you perform yet, what can they expect to see? FIELY: Something the likes of which they've never seen before! We think that this quote from the Columbus Dispatch in red-state, conservative Ohio says it best: LOUNGE-ZILLA! "Incorporates cartoonish hyperbole, masterful subtlety, strong singing, insult humor, interactive shtick, amusing props, outrageous costumes, partial nudity, profanity and a truly monstrous X-rated 3-D finale that can't be described in a family newspaper." The review goes on to say that I'm "talented", "charming", "clever" and "hilarious" but I would never mention that in an interview. That would be bragging and so declasse!

dccf: Anything you want us to make sure dccomedyfest blog readers know about Lounge-zilla?

FIELY: Come one, come all. 'LOUNGE-ZILLA!' is a joke that everyone gets! The show plays to all crowds -- men, women, straight, gay, in-between, young (well, 16+), not-so-young (even Bob Dole old), Democrat, Republican. The Green Party laughs like rabid hyenas at the 'LOUNGE-ZILLA!' show! And even the Christian Conservatives eat this crap up! Contrary to what you've heard, we happen to know that those Bible-belters really know how to throw a party! LOUNGE-ZILLA! is hilarious, bawdy and rude -- it's an 'everyone can play' show -- just come ready for some good, clean, naughty, rude fun! Okay, maybe 'clean' is pushing it a little. But naughty and rude fun are definitely in store!

Nuff said! Go see LOUNGE-ZILLA or hear about afterwards and wish you had seen it yourself.

Interview With Trophy Dad's Brad Bazzle

2007-03-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

If you're like the dccomedyfest you can't get funny off of your mind. You live it, you love it, and maybe, just maybe you brush your teeth with it (not recommeded by any Dentists or Dentist's Associations). Thank God we are here for you. The dccomedyfest endeavors to bring you new, fresh, and that's right funny comedy (you don't want to get near the unfunny kind of comedy without a biohazard suit or something with a major SPF... Suck Proof Factor).

With that in mind, if you want to get out your towel and bask in the glory of some good old fashioned American funny we've got a sketch show for you. We'd like you to meet Trophy Dad. Not kept around just for their good looks Trophy Dad offers a mix of live comedy and video comedy. This group of young guys will not fail to impress you with their wares. Brad Bazzle from Trophy Dad took a few mintues to answer a few questions for the blog. So open a cool refreshing beverage and relax on your beach towel as you get to know Trophy Dad.

dccf: Did you guys get your name, Trophy Dad, because you were all married for your looks?

Brad: Yes. Unfortunately all of those marriages ended in divorce. They were all to the same woman.

dccf: Who is in the group Trophy Dad and how did you first get together?

Brad: We're underemployed twenty-somethings right now, but we used to go to college. That's where we first started working together. We moved to New York after graduation and expected immediate success. And you know what? We got it. And by "it" I mean hepatitis.

dccf: What was it like being one of only three acts to be a part of NBC's 2005 NYC Sketch Showcase?

Brad: It was fun. Having industry professionals in the audience really brings up your energy. I'd say we safely reached palpable frenzy.

dccf: Your website indicates that Trophy Dad has a "meticulous and large-scale approach to comedy video production". Can you tell us what is behind that approach and where we can see some of your comedy videos?

Brad: When we started in 2003 we were one of the only groups in New York that put a lot of effort into videos—multiple lights, good digital camera, painfully thorough editing, etc. It's very time consuming, and at one point we were all on Adderall. You can see our stuff on our website and youtube, but also on newer sites like Grouper ( www.grouper.com/Members/2100625), Secretfuntime ( www.secretfuntime.com) and Veoh (http://www.veoh.com/users/TrophyDad). In the wake of the Super bowl, Grouper dusted off one of our old videos—Peyton Manning's Opera Hits Classics—and put it on their front page. It got like 30 thousand hits. Turns out people love Peyton Manning! And classic opera jams!

dccf: We hear you guys are a pretty popular (regularly selling out) show at places like the PIT and The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. What makes your show such a draw for audiences?

Brad: I think people really dig the video stuff, and our live material has a visceral, out-of-control quality that's refreshing for some people. It's like a secret world where murderous weirdos roam free.

dccf: What is the main consideration (other than is it funny) that goes into deciding if a sketch is Trophy Dad worthy?

Brad: At this point it's instinct. If we're all excited about it then it has a place in our show. It also helps if there are rambling, lunatic monologues.

dccf: Anything the members of Trophy Dad are looking forward to doing while in DC for the fest?

Brad: My girlfriend lives here, working for the Defense Department. So mostly we plan to embarrass her in front of her colleagues and friends.

dccf: Are there any particular acts Trophy Dad cast members are looking forward to checking out at the dccomedyfest?

Brad: We enjoy Fearsome and some of the other New York acts. We've never seen a group from DC, so we're pretty pumped about that. DC is the best.

dccf: Anything you want us to make sure dccomedyfest blog readers know about before coming to see Trophy Dad at the fest?

Brad: If you have any extra wigs lying around, we'll take them off your hands.

Not enough video links for you? Here is another link for you to get just few more Trophy Dad rays of sunlight before you pack it in for the day:

youtube http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=trophydad

Want some TD video for your DVD player, then don't miss your chance to order a Trophy Dad DVD.

Not enough for you. Then check out RoofTop Comedy and then make sure you get your passes to the fest.

Interview with Tony Mendoza

2007-03-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

So dccomedyfest blog reader, you think we have forgotten the sketch fan do you? We haven't. In fact we have a rare treat for you this year. We are proud to bring you the Annoyance Theater's Showstravaganza PRESIDENT BUSH IS A GREAT MAN!

That's right! SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2006 @ 8:30PM at the Warehouse Mainstage be sure to catch this amazing show brought to us by Chicago's famed Annoyance Theater. Students of Improv and Sketch Comedy are sure to recognize that this is a rare treat that usually requires you go to Chicago for a chance to see the Annoyance Theater folks in action. So if you're quick you can beat the die hard fans to the good seats for this cannot be missed opportunity.

Tony Mendoza, a performer and faculty member at Chicago's Annoyance Theater, took some time to answer a few questions we had about this sure to please offering at the fest. Tony is a multi-talented preformer and playwrite who has held some interesting jobs over the years. We'll let him tell you about them...

dccf) Thanks for taking time to answer a few questions for the dccomedyfest blog readers. Let's start right off with an important question, tell us a little bit about the show PRESIDENT BUSH IS A GREAT MAN!

Tony) It's a silly, smart, stupid, gross, weird, angry, songy sketch comedy about the currently great president.

dccf) What is the best part of being involved in PRESIDENT BUSH IS A GREAT MAN!

Tony) The cast and director have been family to me for awhile. The kind of family you choose to be around. So I liked working with them.

dccf) How did you get involved with PRESIDENT BUSH IS A GREAT MAN! and Annoyance Theater?

Tony) I took classes at Annoyance in 1997 and hung around. I wasn't a crazy weirdo and so they asked me to do shows and eventually teach.

dccf) We understand that you are also involved with Second City, what's it like to be a drummer for Second City Shows?

Tony) Those are fun gigs. It's good to not have to be the funny one and watch your friends struggle to make people laugh. And the musicians get paid more.

dccf) We would love to hear about your play 58, a play about bike messengering. What drove you to write a play about bike messengers?

Tony) For the last 6 years I've supplemented my meager improv earnings by bike messengering. It seemed like each week at the bar, I'd have a new work story to tell...often involving some sort of dumb altercation, or accident, or humiliation. And because people asked me about my job all the time, there appeared to be an interest in the subject. I kept a blog about it: http://home.earthlink.net/~tonymendoza/mess We did a one-man-show-with-people called 58 (which is my messenger number) which was written by me and the city of Chicago.

dccf) How has your play been received?

Tony) It won Best Musical at the 2006 NY Fringe Festival. People have said it has changed the way they drive or perceive messengers. I'm proud of it I suppose.

dccf) What is the strangest, yet still positive, compliment you have received after a performance?

Tony) In reference to my band Let's Get Out of This Terrible Sandwich Shop someone recently said "You guys are the like the Shags! I love you guys!" The Shags didn't know how to play their instruments.

dccf) Relatives often say the strangest things about what people are doing for a living. What has been the best or strangest review you have received from a family member?

Tony) I don't let my family see anything I do. They are very supportive and we have an understanding.

dccf) Is there anything you want to make sure dccomedyfest audiences know before coming to see you and PRESIDENT BUSH IS A GREAT MAN! at the fest?

Tony) Bring your silly frown and let's have fun about it.

Hope this teaser interview has provided you with some answers to questions you might have asked. If you take nothing else away from this blog... GO SEE TONY AND PRESIDENT BUSH IS A GREAT MAN! You won't regret the effort put into checking out this fan favorite show!

For more details about this and all the dccomedyfest shows, check out our show and ticketing web pages.

Interview with Big Black Car's Matt Oberg

2007-03-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

Some of you are probably thinking "Gosh, dccomedyfest! I like stand-up, but I'd love to see me some crazy improvised comedy that will make me lose my mind. What do you have that's new and off the hook?" Or some could be thinking "I'd loved to see me something with up and coming artists who I've seen on TV doing comedy but who might not yet be household names. You got any of those acts dccomedyfest?" Other still might be thinking "God, I wish I had a banana?"

Well if you are a person who isn't wishing for a banana, then you are in the right place. We have an off the hook act for you catch at this year's fest that features people you might have seen on TV. They are an Improv group called Big Black Car. Big Black Car is a house team at New York's legendary PIT theatre. They have won critical and fan acclaim, and are drawing crowds where every they go. Matt Oberg (not pictured above) from Big Black Car took a few minutes to answer some questions for us so we could introduce you to this must see act.

dccf: First questions first, What's the story behind your group's name, Big Black Car?

Matt: Truth be told, no one really knows the story behind the name. Sadly, it has been lost to history. Legend holds that it's a lyric from a Tori Amos song. I prefer to believe it is from Leviticus 4:20.

dccf: Who is in the group and how did Big Black Car first get together?

Matt: Big Black Car is Justin Akin, Chris Caniglia, Scott Eckert, Ellie Kemper, Megan Martin, Matt Oberg, Tom Ridgley, and Kristen Schaal. BBC (as our friends call us) formed out of some of the earlier classes at the PIT and steadily worked it's way up to becoming one of the permanent house teams. Chris Caniglia seems to enjoy taking credit for starting the group. "You people would be nowhere without me!" he says. "I have arthritis!" he also says.

dccf: Anything the members of Big Black Car are looking forward to doing while in DC for the fest?

Matt: Personally I look forward to beholding the quiet dignity of many of our nation's capital's monuments. And then making fun of the fat people in ponchos who are leaning against them.

dccf: Some of Big Black Car's member have appeared on '30 Rock', 'Chapelle's Show', 'Ugly Betty', 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' and a soon to be released Lifetime Original Mini-Series 'Take me Home - The John Denver Story'. Okay, who is in the John Denver Story? Who do they play? What was the experience like for them? And were they disappointed with the ending of the film?

Matt: Again, Chris Caniglia can take the credit on this one. He plays Mr. Denver's estranged brother Derek. When asked about the project Chris said "Being involved with 'Home' was a real privilege. Such a great cast - Lisa Kudrow, Haley Joel Osment, Alfonso Ribeiro, the list goes on. I couldn't be more proud of the work. " When asked about his joint pain Chris said "It's worst in the morning."

dccf: Are there any particular acts Big Black Car cast members are looking forward to checking out at the dccomedyfest?

Matt: A lot of the acts look great. Elephant Larry are friends and they always put on a great show.

dccf: We hear you guys are a pretty popular show at New York's legendary PIT theatre. What makes your show such a draw for audiences?

Matt: Most of us have been improvising for a while, and I think we just have a pretty relaxed informal style that is fun to watch when everything is going well. We split the bill with a great group called "Fancy Dragon" and that's part of it. But to be honest, I think people just can't get enough of my rock solid gags.

dccf: What was the strangest review that you've ever received after a Big Black Car show?

Matt: "That was awful."

dccf: What was it like to be named 'Best Improv Group' by the Emerging Comics of New York awards back in 2005?

Matt: Wow. What a roller coaster ride. I think more than anything it just helped the group's mojo. So much of improv is about the attitude you bring to the stage and if you are under the impression that people enjoy you it helps you to believe that you are good and that in turn makes you good. It's like karate.

Dccf: What should a dccomedyfest audience expect to see when they come to check out Big Black Car at the 2007 dccomedyfest?

Matt: Personally I feel we are one of the best looking improv groups out there. So there's that. But beyond that a very fun, and very funny half hour of state of the art long form improv. I can almost guarantee you we will not ruin your evening. And some day you will be able to say "I saw them in DC before their drug problems became very, very real."

dccf: Anything you want us to make sure dccomedyfest blog readers know about before coming to see Big Black Car at the fest?

Matt: The climate crisis and what they can do about it. Fluorescent bulbs are a lot less booger than they used to be.

If you are thinking "Gosh, I am so excited that I am going to check out Big Black Car at the fest. Where can I get tickets?", then proceed to our tickets page to find out about our open pass system. Big Black Car is only one a many other must see feature performer acts to check out at this years fest. Check them all out on our Acts page. Not enough for you, then come to the fest and challenge yourself to a class? Maybe then you can form your own improv group and be in the 2008 dccomedyfest.

For bananas see any of your local produce vendors for a fine selection of ripe and pre-ripe bananas.

Interview With Jon Dore

2007-03-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

Comedy fans have already begun to wonder when they will get their chance to find out more about some of the acts coming to this year's dccomedyfest! How about starting right now! And who better to start off our series of interviews with than one of today's most exciting and fastest rising acts. If you love Stand-up Comedy then let's get to know Canada's own Jon Dore.

Not only is Jon Dore comic who's impeccable timing thrills audiences everywhere he goes, but he has also become a household name as the Roving Reporter for 3 Seasons of Canada's #1 TV Show, Canadian Idol (okay those houses are in Canada, but it still counts). He is a main stay at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, and was the 2006 Winner of the Canadian Comedy Awards for Best Stand Up Newcomer. If that is not enough he has his own television series in development with CTV & The Comedy Network.

Jon took some time to answer a few of our questions. So without further ado, let's meet a comedian who is sure to be a favorite at this year's fest.... Jon Dore!

dccf: Thanks for taking time to answer a few questions for the dccomedyfest blog readers. Let’s start right off with an important question, how did it feel to be “hailed by TV GUIDE as one of Canada's top ‘rising stars of the future’”?

Jon: I liked being hailed. I had never been hailed before. It was my first hailing and I think I learned a lot from being hailed.

dccf: We are sure that part of this accolade can be contributed to your participation in the Canadian Idol phenomenon. How has that experience been for you?

Jon: Canadian Idol was a wonderful experience. I would rank it 2nd to being hailed.

dccf: What was the highlight of the Canadian Idol experience for you?

Jon: I got to meet Lionel Ritchie aka Nicole's Dad...He signed my breasts. Hail Lionel.

dccf: You are currently in the middle of Hosting the Just For Laughs National Homegrown Comic Competition, how is that going?

Jon: It's been a blast. I've had the opportunity to travel the country and see some hilarious comics. I'd hail them as fantastic.

dccf: The Just For Laughs National Homegrown Comic Competition must be full of chances to have fun and see tons of new acts. How does it feel to be Hosting a competition you once competed in?

Jon: It feels like Canada is giving birth to 10 talented comedians every night and I am there to say push. I would rank it 3rd to being hailed.

dccf: We were reading that you recently got your own show on The Comedy Network, The Jon Dore Show. How did you celebrate such a big moment in your life?

Jon: I threw out my suicide note and called my mom. I am now going to type an exclamation point!

dccf: We see that you appear to go back and forth between having a beard and not having a beard. When did you start going back and forth, and should we start taking bets as which look we will see you in at the fest?

Jon: I hail this question to be rude, superficial, and almost racist...I will answer it. I have a rare genetic condition that causes a random hormonal imbalance resulting in the loss of facial hair. Also...It causes me to lie.

dccf: What is the strangest, yet still positive, compliment you have received after a performance?

Jon: "You're the funniest Asian comic I've seen!"

dccf: Relatives often say the strangest things about what comedians are doing for a living or about their performance style. What has been the best or strangest review you have received from a family member?

Jon: Dad: "I could barely hear your jokes over your mother's heckling"

Mom:"Great set...Can you pay my tab?"

dccf: Is there anything you want to make sure dccomedyfest audiences know before coming to see you at the fest?

Jon: I would like the audiences in DC to keep in mind that: Laughter Is The Best Medicine. It's been proven. People who laugh, live longer than people with terminal diseases. Gotta go hail a cab. Love, Jon.

So DC you have it straight from Jon himself, go hail a cab and come check him out at the dccomedyfest. Check out our shows page to find out when you can see Jon and all our other great acts. Don't miss him at our benefit for the Brain Tumor Society on THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2007. There will be a Post-show kick-off party at Bar Rouge. Hail a cab on your way home from that too.

Be sure to check out www.jondore.com for some cool videos and other info about Jon.

Don't Miss Your Chance To Join the dccomedyfest!

2007-01-29T15:22:00.000-08:00

LIVE ACT SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2007

SHORT FILM SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2007

Live Act acceptances will be announced by February 20, 2007.
Short Film acceptances will be announced by March 20, 2007.

DVDs and other submission materials will not be returned, so please do not send things you can't spare.

Don't miss your chance to submit and be a part of this years awesome fest.

SUBMISSIONS for dccomedyfest! 2007!!!!

2006-11-29T19:27:00.000-08:00

Got a top notch comedy act that you want to make sure people come out and see the weekend of April 12-14, 2007? Looking for a reason to gather your sketch troupe together and head to DC for a visit? Just your luck the dccomedyfest is now accepting submissions for dccomedyfest! 2007!!!! That's right, you got it, it's time to put together your submission so you can get in on the fun.

Got questions on how to submit? Check out our submissions page for more details.

Also check out all the cool info about the 2007 fest that we already have in place. Check our homepage to find out about upcoming contests, featured acts and special guests. And do we already have some very special guests lined up!!! That's right Annoyance Theater will be performing its hit original sketch comedy production President Bush is a Great Man, Saturday, April 14 at dccomedyfest 2007!

Check back regularly to find out more on fest details as they are released. Also soon we will have interviews with some of the acts you'll see at next years fest. We'll be looking for your submission soon! Maybe you'll be one of the acts interview right here on the dccomedyfest blog.

Don't forget to check out the interviews from the last fest.

Fest Starts Tomorrow!

2006-04-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

You are probably thinking "So much to see. I won't be able to see it all at this years dccomedyfest!" That's right, so start planning now so you can optimize what you do see. Tickets are on sale now. Get your Emo Philips tickets now. Don't get sold out of Mitch Fatel and Demetri Martin. Or check out the Headliners Extravaganza for Comedy Giants in the making.

Lisner Auditorium isn't your only chance to see the big time comics. Check out the guys on their way up at not one but two "LETTERMAN AUDITIONS". That's right you get to see comics auditioning for the "Late Show with David Letterman". If that's not enough for you can check out Eddie Brill, the talent coordinator for the comedians on 'The Late Show with David Letterman', performing on Saturday night.

Improv more your thing swing by the Warehouse Mainstage to see Emo Philips perform with Bassprov or rock the house with Baby Wants Candy.

Check out our show page to get the whole story of where and who you need to see. See you at the shows.

Fest Spotlight On MITCH FATEL!

2006-03-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

Just over one week left before the fest and you still want more info on the acts coming to the fest! You've come to the right place. You've already had a chance to meet the people behind POW, MEAT, ELEPHANT LARRY, kevINda, BABY WANTS CANDY, and UPHILL BOTH WAYS. We've even hooked you up with dish from EMO PHILIPS and ROB CANTRELL. But you want more, don't you?

Maybe you want to know how it's all going to end? Maybe you want to know more about Mitch Fatel, co-headliner of our BIG FINALE SHOW at Lisner Auditorium on SATURDAY, APRIL 8 at 9:30PM? You have your tickets don't you? Well okay, well give you some inside scoop on Mitch. But only because you asked so nicely and were so eager to learn more.

Mitch is that comic you know and love for getting away with saying stuff that rest of us can't say in any company. Clever, for sure! Mischievous, yes! Funny, undeniably! And here is your chance to get to know him better. Mitch gave us a few minutes of time and answered the Spotlight Interview questions. Let's see what he had to say on muffins, making the big time, and joining us at the fest:

dccf: We hear that you have a thing for muffins! Where did that come from?

Mitch When I was a child I fell naked into a tray of fresh hot muffins. This defining moment, though painful at the time, changed my life forever.

dccf: What was it like to win "Album cover of the Month" in the February issue of Stuff Magazine for your Super Retardo CD? Who did you beat to win the honor?

Mitch: I didn't really beat anyone, they just give out an award every month. Suddenly one day all my friends started calling saying "You won best album cover of the month in Stuff" My first thought was "My friends read Stuff?" Then my second thought was how friggin cool it was. The amazing thing about it is you remember working on it months earlier, making choices, agonizing over changes and hoping you're right and that people will dig it. Then one year later to actually see it getting recognized in that fashion is truly a thrill. It's the exact opposite feeling of getting your penis caught in your zipper.

dccf: If you won a Grammy for one of your comedy CDs, who would thank?

Mitch: Satan for somehow convincing the Grammy committee that a guy writing jokes about putting his secret ingredient on a girls face is some how deserving of an award. (PS: Listen to the track "Secret Ingredient" on Super Retardo to follow along).

dccf: What would you like to be doing if you hadn't gone into Stand-Up?

Mitch: Hard Time. Seriously though, that wasn't an option. I knew from 5 years old I would be in show business. There was never ever even an inkling of a thought I would be doing anything else but be a stand up. People used to tell me it was a stupid dream and that was the one thing in my life I never cared what people had to say. I just knew.

dccf: What is the strangest complement that you ever received after a show?

Mitch: One time a girl, who was hot by the way, showed me that she had actually peed in her pants. I mention she was hot because it makes the story sexy. Lets be honest if it was Janet Reno saying it, it wouldn't have been a compliment it would have been a very sad and uncomfortable encounter.

dccf: What is the most interesting place you found material for your act?

Mitch: In girls pants. I still can't believe how much more I have to write about Vagina's and Panties. I have just now begun to scratch the surface of material about this wondrous area.

dccf: What was it like to see yourself as a cartoon on Comedy Central's "Dr. Katz"?

Mitch: My greatest honor to date. I used to watch that show and think you're not really a comedian till you've been on Katz's couch. When they called and asked me to do it I felt this sense of arrival. After taping it I went home and threw out my waiters uniform which I had kept for 10 years after starting standup.

dccf: For dccomedyfest audience members who haven't been lucky enough to see you perform yet, what can they expect to see?

Mitch: Time permitting I'm going to make comedy history and make love to one lucky audience member live on stage (never been done before, we're just awaiting the zoning permits).

dccf: Any thing you want us to make sure dccomedyfest blog readers know about you?

Mitch: Honestly, I don't need any more muffins. Every show people have been bringing me dozens of muffins and although it's appreciated I'm beginning to want to puke at the sight of another muffin. Next time just bring me some Sushi.

Now that you have the inside info, come check out Mitch along with Ryan Conner, MEAT, and Demetri Martin. You won't regret it. Although come prepared, if Mitch and our dccomedyfest t-shirts are correct, you'll pee yourself at the 2006 dccomedyfest. And this time it will be from laughing.

Fest Spotlight on 161

2006-03-28T13:54:00.000-08:00

Question time once again. You're thinking "Okay, dccomedyfest. I see you have lots of local acts, but where in the heck is WIT? I see ComedySportz, Poppycock, Grimprov, Season Six, Caveat, Jackie, T-Rexx, Chris White, Ryan Conners, Alicia Gomes, Dr. Fantastic, Bright Young Things, Baltimore Improv Group, Screaming Puppets, Basil White, Biscuitville, Rory Scoval, Seaton Smith, DCUP, Well Sung Players, Joe Recca, Rob Cantrell, Al Goodwin, TJ Miller, John Mumma, Danny Rouhier, Justin Schlegel, Vijai Nathan, Andy Campbell.... wow, that's over half the people who are from around here, but you get my point dccomedyfest, but where is WIT? No slight intended to acts from DC at the fest that weren't on this, but answer the question!"

We have WIT, but under their new onesixtyone name! Let's find out more about the change via spokesman Topher Bellavia:

dccf: What is the concept behind onesixtyone's new show?

Topher: We've always prided ourselves on our no rules, take no prisioners style of play. For this new run we've decided to try to color within the lines and take some prisoners. We've gone back to the basics. You know, like Picasso doing landscapes. Exactly like that.

dccf: How do the members of onesixtyone describe the show to their friends and family?

Topher: We don't try to explain ourselves. With longform improv the only explaination is to actually see it. It's undescribable, yet unmistakable. Like poetry. Or pornography.

dccf: Who makes up the cast of onesixtyone?

Topher: The show you'll be seeing is made up of Mark Chalfant, Tyler Korba, Topher Bellavia, Katie Carson, Brian Coleman, Michael Bass, Dave Johnson and Natasha Rothwell. That's also the order in which we entered the group. That's the only way I can remember it without forgettinganyone.

dccf: Any thoughts on onesixtyone's up comingappearance at the dccomedyfest?

Topher: Last year we did a fully improvised musical and the dccomedyfest show was the first time in the run that it really clicked. It was all sunshine and roses after that. We know that the comedy fest show will be the best one of the entire run, so were psyched to get to share it with all the fest peeps from across the country.

dccf: What is the most interesting review aonesixtyone show has received from an audiencemember?

Topher: The woman introducing us came out at the endand said, "Thank you. That was different and interesting." Which is another way of saying, Holy fuck. That was a train wreak.

dccf: Which acts coming to dccomedyfest are members of onesixtyone keen to check out?

Topher: You gotta love Bassprov. They rule over allcomers. I'm also picking them up at the airport. So they get an entire awkward trip with me telling them how cool they are. ChuckleSandwich has one of our alumni in it. They are awesome. Personally, I'm excited to see Emo Phillips. I grew up listening to his stand up in the way other people grew up listening to their favorite band.

dccf: Being from DC is there anything dccomedyfest audiences might be surprised to find out about the onesixtyone experience?

Topher: Maybe. In that DC has longform improv that stacks up admirably against Chicago, New York,L.A. I think locals can be proud of us.

dccf: Anything you want dccomedyfest blog readers to know about onesixtyone?

Topher: We're an old group with a new name and timeless comedy.

That about says it all. We hope to see onesixtyone and all the home grown talent kick some comedy butt at the fest. Don't forget your tickets.

Fest Spotlight On POW!

2006-03-27T12:43:00.000-08:00

Nope, POW! isn't a reference to the mighty fist of the Batman on the faces of cartoonified villains! Nope, it isn't some ham-handed reference to the stellar acting of Chuck Norris! Just say a silent prayer to the memories of those who were Prisoner's of War, as this is not a veiled homage to them either. Nope, it's a chance to for you to familiarize yourselves with the comedy of POW: PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOP.

Sit back and enjoy as you attend a workshop show at the dccomedyfest that will change how you see all other meetings/workshops/trainings/events that you have attend in your adult life. This workshop is not only fun it's funny. Take off your tie, remove your ID badge, and put the kids in night care (day care usually is just for the day time). It's time to check out POW: PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOP.

Who is POW: PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOP? Good question! We asked them some questions so you can find out for yourself. Matt Oberg of POW was kind enough to speak for himself and Bob Wiltfong. Let's see what Matt had to say:

dccf: How did the two of you originally get together and decide to do POW!?

Matt: Bob and I met at the 2004 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Bob was there with Neutrino and "Anchors Away" and I was there with a show called "Fatboy". I was a guest improviser with Neutrino some nights and Bob and I realized we had a somewhat similar look and vibe. We were both goofy looking white guys who part their hair. Bob had already started to develop the POW show and needed someone to play the Brooks to his Dunne. The rest is history.

dccf: Do you get requests for bookings that sometimes indicate that people think you are strictly a business training company?

Matt: No one has yet been fooled into believing we are actually giving a legit workshop. Although we would be honored if someone was dumb enough to do that. If and when it happens we will let you know.

dccf: How does Matt working with "Chappelle's Show" and Bob working with "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" effect your dynamic?

Matt: Well, my work on Chapelle while exemplary and ground breaking was very brief. Bob's work on the Daily Show doesn't really effect our dynamic on stage, but off stage it creates a tremendous amount of tension. Bob went out and had a Daily Show varsity jacket made with his face embroidered on the back. And on the front he had them put a nickname that he gave to himself: "Da' Sizzler". It's awkward for all of us.

dccf: What's it like to work on a national show like "Chappelle's Show" or "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"? They must have very different production styles.

Matt: Again, I am not a recognized authority on either production, but both were very rewarding experiences for us. It's great to have shows like that based in New York. It gives people in the New York scene a chance to get some really great exposure. We are both grateful for the opportunities and look forward to someday maybe even producing our own show that will have it's own style. We are still honing that style but both Bob and I are drawn to "Business Casual".

dccf: What, for each of you, has been the most rewarding "Professional Opportunity" you've had? No Pun intended, Sorry!

Matt: I trust that Bob will agree, but beyond the fact that we both now have a tremendous team of representatives who somehow see the chance of us making some money some day, our most rewarding "Professional Opportunity" was the recent birth of Bob's son Sawyer. That kid is cute, and with his old world charm and Bob and my knack for writing hooks in the studio we are optimistic that his album will go platinum. Look for "Baby Baby Baby" to drop sometime in July.

dccf: What is the strangest review you have gotten from an audience member directly after a show?

Matt: "I feel like I'm going to vomit, but I'm going to vomit diarrhea."

dccf: What should dccomedyfest audiences know in order to prepare for attending a POW: Professional Opportunities Show?

Matt: That the only true god is Allah and Mohammed is his messenger. And that you don't need to have worked in a bad office to get our jokes. If you enjoy grown men wearing sweaters and talki ng loudly, then you will love "POW".

dccf: Anything else you want to make sure our audiences know about?

Matt: Yes. They should know that I hate Avery Johnson and that Bob has two cats named Mariska and Hargitay.

Want to know more, why not come see them perform at one (or both) of their two shows at the dccomedyfest? You'll also get to see Elephant Larry both times. So it's a two for one special on comedy when you come see the guys of POW do their thing. Get your weekend pass now, and don't miss a second of the fest or POW!

Fest Spotlight On Elephant Larry!

2006-03-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

By now you're thinking "Ok dccomedyfest! I thought I've heard that you will be bringing back that group LAWRENCE THE PACHYDERM . I've loved their appearances at last year's fest, and at last November's Taste of the Fest with Daniel Tosh. Where is their interview?"

Good question. First and foremost, the group you are thinking of is ELEPHANT LARRY (maybe you are confusing them with the Missouri based "Lawrence County Pachyderm Club" (a republican group in, you guessed it, Missouri). Secondly, yes you did love them at both of those appearances. Thirdly, their interview is right here.

Geoffrey Haggerty of Elephant Larry sat down and answered a few of questions about what Elephant Larry has been up to since we last saw them.

dccf: What has been happening with Elephant Larry since we last saw you guys back in November?

Geoffrey: I could tell you but I'd have to kill you! Hahaha! No seriously, we've been all over the place: Chicago, Charleston, and more excitingly, rural Virginia and Pennsylvania. We've even performed in New York City! Apparently, that's where we live.

dccf: Some folks might know you all are podcasting some of your sketches. Are you guys getting a good response to your podcast?

Geoffrey: It's been very strong so far. It's cool to have a place where we can constantly create and try out new things while having an instant cyber-audience at the same time.

dccf: How does it feel for you guys to know that people might be using an iPod(or similar device) to check out your sketches on a bus, during a business meeting, or even while taking a home pregnancy test in Lodi, CA?

Geoffrey : Creepy. 1984 is here. And by the way, we would NEVER allow our material to be broadcast in Lodi, CA. We have standards, thank you.

dccf: Anything you guys are looking forward to doing while in DC for the fest?

Geoffrey: Well we've checked out the Smithsonian and the Supreme Court, so I assume we're done at this point. In fact, we checked out the Supreme Court mere days before that big hunk of marble fell off the facade. So we should probably just stay in our hotel rooms.

dccf: What do the Elephant Larry guys watch for laughs these days?

Geoffrey: A lot of stuff on the internet, to be honest. The SNL digital video shorts that have been circulating are quite awesome. We're also huge fans of the Colbert Report, and the dear departed Arrested Development. Thank God for TV on DVD.

dccf: Are there any particular acts the guys of Elephant Larry are looking forward to checking out at the dccomedyfest?

Geoffrey: Yup, a LOT of particular acts! Our comedy mothers/sisters/girlfriends MEAT are gonna be in DC, as well as our comedy brothers/sisters/cousins/uncles(?) Fearsome. They are both awesome. Bassprov was amazing last year and we'll definitely be checking them out again. From DC itself, Rory Scovel is one of our good friends so anything with him in it we will follow feverishly. And not only will our guy Alex be at the Madame Funnypants show, he'll be IN the Madame Funnypants show.

dccf: This will be Elephant Larry's third trip to DC for a dccomedyfest event (we are counting). What can our audiences expect to see this time around?

Geoffrey: Well first off, expect the unexpected. Since that's kind of an innate oxymoron, expect some songs, some video, and whole lotta wordplay.

dccf: Anything you want us to make sure dccomedyfest blog readers know about?

Check out elephantlarry.com, elephantlarry.blogspot.com, and myspace.com/elephantlarry for more info. As Geoffrey said "That's the kind of stuff they should probably know. " We agree.

And now you do. Elephant Larry is not to be missed if you can avoid it. Try not to miss them. If you want to know more about the Lawrence County Pachyderm Club why not try a yahoo search! Don't forget to check out the main dccomedyfest page for links to all the awesome groups coming to the fest.

Fest Spolight On EMO PHILIPS!!!

2006-03-21T09:53:00.000-08:00

In the last two posts, you blog readers have challenged us to show you we had political comedy & West Coast Based comedy coming to the fest. It's challenge time again. So get out your thinking caps (yes, it can be baseball hat from your college of choice) and prepare to ask the big question. That question is "Sure you have comedy coming to DC and sure it's not stuff we've seen before, but what kind of big name comedy acts do you have coming to the fest. Bet you don't have Emo Philips! DO YOU? DO YOU?"

Hold on to your thinking hats (or caps)! We do have Emo Philips coming to the fest. For not just one big show, but two nights of fun, laughs, and memories you won't soon forget (unless you have no long term memory, and then you can hardly blame us or Emo if that is the case). Fan's of stand-up comedy will remember Emo from his top shelf HBO special, his 2 comedy CD's (or tapes) from the 1980's (now available in one package) and mutiple appearances on other TV shows (Cinemax, Late Night with David Letterman, etc). Movie and television fans may also remember seeing him in Weird Al's "UHF" movie, animated on Dr. Katz, and most recently as himself in "The Aristocrats". After 30 years in the business of comedy, Emo has resume that shows he has what it takes to bring you the laughs.

Some might say "I'm not even from the United States, and I love Emo's material. How is that possible?" Emo has performed for audiences worldwide. He has made friends & fans at all of his appearances. Most notiably in 1989, Emo charmed the fans at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival before continuing on to tour the UK. This set him up for a triumphant return to the fest in 2001 where fans flocked to his shows. He's even managed to win the adoration of English speaking audiences in Paris, France. So you know him because he is just that big of a deal.

For those who love Emo and those who will soon see their first Emo Show, we asked him some questions. He was kind enough to answer. Here's what Emo had to say about his 30 year career and his upcoming appearences at the fest:

dccf: This year is your 30th Anniversary as a stand-up comedian. Thinking back on the beginning, how has the journey been for you?

Emo: Apart from whatever else I have achieved, my proudest boast is this: I have spent my entire adult life exclusively in show business. My entire adult life! It's like riding a commuter train from a distant suburb all the way into the city without ever being asked by the conductor for your ticket. And not once did I have to hide behind a newspaper!

dccf: What is the biggest change you've seen since 1976 in the world of stand-up comedy? Is it a good change?

Emo: The biggest change is that, back in 1976, there was almost no profanity on the comedy circuit, and now it is pert near ubiqitous. And it's a very bad thing, not only because it offends a large segment of the audience, but because when a comedian swears it's the swear word that gets the laugh, and not the comedian, and the comedian is never forced to learn how to be funny on his own for real. I realized this years ago when, just for an experiment, I inserted the "f" word into the absolute weakest, suckiest joke I had...and it got a gigantic laugh. And I thought, why not just pump nitrous oxide through the vents?

dccf: Our research shows that you're not only a fan favorite here in the United States, but thanks to your success at events like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that you have quite an international following. How do your international fans differ from those here in the U.S.?

Emo: In all my years of performing in the UK, I have found only one significant difference between what people laugh at over there and what they laugh at over here: the British never ever ever laugh at jokes about mowing the lawn. And I really have no idea why. My best guess is that over there they all either live in cities, or use sheep.

dccf: What would you have liked to be doing if you hadn't gone into Stand-Up?

Emo: I would have also accepted: film comic, circus clown, mime...or pretty much anything else as long as it involved being funny and performing. If I couldn't have been a performer, then I think I would have enjoyed becoming either a) a cartoonist, or b) the author of a series of humorous books about either a) a dolphin or b) an African toxic waste site (I haven't bothered to choose yet, and the way things are looking will probably never be forced to.) As a last resort, I would have considered writing for others...but only as a last resort, because it would have been very rough on me emotionally; if I wrote a joke for a famous comic, everytime I heard him or her do it I'd feel like one of those poor women in a 1930's weepy film that gives up her baby to a rich woman and then becomes the maid in the mansion where the kid is growing up and at the end she has to choose between telling her child the truth, thus destroying his bright and happy prospects, or else never ever seeing him again, and by this time, everyone in the movie theater is sobbing uncontrollably. I admire comedians who can write for others...but I doubt if I could ever have been strong enough to.

dccf: What is the strangest complement that you ever received after a show?

Emo: Once after a show a woman of eighteen told me that, when she was four, her mother would repeatedly play the video of my Hasty Pudding Theater concert over and over, day after day, so that as a young child she learned my entire performance by heart. Then when she started kindergarten, the teacher overheard her saying a few of my jokes, found them offensive, and punished her. So the strange (yet wonderful) compliment is this: since I can get away with telling my jokes, but she could not, it follows, with inescapable logic, that I am cuter than a four year old girl!

dccf: What was it like for you to see yourself turned into a cartoon on Comedy Central's "Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist" show?

Emo: I think the subconscious appeal of "Who Killed Roger Rabbit?" is that, deep down, everyone thinks of him or herself as a cartoon character: ageless, immortal, impervious to permanent injury. So my theory is that in Heaven, we will all be our respective cartoon characters...because I don't see any other way it can possibly work. And I will always be grateful to the Dr Katz team for allowing me to experience Heaven on earth.

dccf: For dccomedyfest audience members who haven't been lucky enough to see you perform yet (and they have had ample chances), what can they expect to see?

Emo: In addition to my act, which I have been three decades augmenting and (in collaboration with six thousand audiences) honing, I will be doing something very special that I can only do in a theater: I will be showing an eight-minute silent comedy film I made a few years ago called "The Can Man"... and which I vow to accompany on my clarinet.

dccf: Many folks here in Washington D.C. are looking forward to seeing both yourstand-up act and your appearence with Bassprov at the dcccomedyfest. What are you most looking forward to when you join Joe Bill and Mark Sutton for some improvised fishing?

Emo: The improvised fish fry afterwords. Mmmmm! That's good imaginary eating!

We hope you'll join us at Thursday 4/6 at Lisner Auditorium to see Emo Philips live. It's bound to be an experience that you be telling your friends about for years to come. Hopefully that will get you to pop over to the Warehouse Theater to see Emo join Bassprov (an improv duo that is a must see for any fan of improv) for some fishing. Both shows are sure to be highlights of the fest. Plus, 30 years of comedy can be wrong.

Fest Spotlight On Uphill Both Ways!

2006-03-20T08:22:00.000-08:00

You are sitting there, at your computer, and mustering up the courage to scream "Ok dccomedyfest, sure you have a lot of East Coast and Mid-West Groups! But do you have any cool acts from California? I've heard that California, along with several other states on Pacific Ocean exist, and that they have funny people too. Maybe even folks who live in the hills where land costs nearly $100,000 per square inch, and they have a Golden Gate Bridge that's actually Orange. Do you have any cool acts coming from there?"

Well brace yourselves, WE DO! Meet Uphill Both Ways. This San Francisco based sketch group are seasoned veterans (think comedy Paprika) of the comedy festival circuit (even though it's more a zig-zap maze of festivals, we still call it a circuit,... It's all loosely connected through the love of comedy). Uphill Both Ways doesn't seem to shy away from any topic, and is picking up fans wherever they go.

But who is Uphill Both Ways? Let' find out via their question based answers (one of the top methods of getting answers being used by both journalism and research organizations in our modern age) to our queries into the experience that is Uphill Both Ways:

dccf: Audiences checking out the 2006 dccomedyfest will get their first chance in DC to see Uphill Both Ways. What do they need to know about Uphill Both Ways to prepare for your style of sketch comedy?

COLIN: Just because we're from San Francisco doesn't mean that we're gay and eat Rice-A-Roni... That being said, Dave is gay.

DAVE: And Colin eats Rice-A-Roni.

dccf: Every group has a dynamic that the audience never sees. Can you give us a glimpse into
who the members of Uphill Both Ways are off stage?

DAVE: Well, Colin and I are old friends; we met while members of the Cornell Skits-O-Phrenics, the same sketch group that spawned NYC's 'Elephant Larry' and 'Madame Funnypants' so we have a long-lasting dynamic. It helps that we get along so well as friends and as comedic colleagues' we've worked together for so long we tend to agree on 99%of everything, and I let Colin win the 1% that we argue about.

COLIN: Damn straight.

dccf: How do the members of Uphill Both Ways describe the show to their friends and families?

DAVE: I usually say something like, 'hey, check out our new show 'I'm playing a giant cat, a gynecologist, a tree, and the Pope, and Colin's playing a Styrofoam tray full of leftovers, an imaginary friend' and 'OH, he's gonna wear that dress with the lemon pattern! Check it out!'

COLIN: You're obsessed with that dress.

DAVE: I wish it fit me.

dccf: Great sketches don't just fall out of the sky by themselves. What kind of process does Uphill Both Ways use to bring them to the stage?

COLIN: Most of the time, we come up with ideas on our own, whether from real-life experience or from the delusional exhaustion of being up at 4:30 in the morning for no apparent reason. Then, we'll meet up at one of our apartments and I'll blurt out something like, 'Oh hey, I had this idea the other night for a rock/paper/scissors peace conference', and then Dave will think it's brilliant (or pretend not to hear me), and one or both of us will sit down and write the script. From there, we are always editing, right up through the dress rehearsal, and when we improvise a moment on stage and it's well-received, it becomes part of the script.

DAVE: We have a combined experience of 16 years in sketch comedy -which basically means we've seen sketches of all shapes and sizes... and our combined experience can legally drive. Ultimately, we always strive to write unconventional stuff. If it's going to be something more conventional, though, like a doctor sketch, it better be something new or unexpected, like a patient with an immaculately-contracted STD.

dccf: What has been the most surprising thing Uphill Both Ways has encountered while
bringing its shows to the masses?

DAVE: Turns out you can't always predict which of your new skits will bean audience favorite. I wrote a skit on an airplane once called 'Before Microsoft Word... There Was Helen', and I thought it was so terrible that I didn't even want to bring it to the table and it's become one of our signature pieces - mainly because of Colin's use of paper clips and his lemon dress.

COLIN: It won't fit you. Seriously. I'm starting to think you have a fetish for dresses with citrus patterns.

dccf: What is the most interesting review you have received from an audience member after a performance?

DAVE: I once overheard a friend say to another friend, 'you haven't lived until you've seen Dave lick himself and bite on a rubber chew toy'. He was talking about a skit where I played a tiger. I think.

dccf: Anything that we should make sure our 2006 dccomedyfest audiences know before coming to check out an Uphill Both Ways show?

COLIN: Well, once again, just because we're from San Francisco doesn't
mean we'll do a 45-minute rock-opera tribute to 'Hair' and pass out huge bags of
quality reefer and rolling papers to every audience member

DAVE: That's right. We're only doing a 30-minute rock opera and we've only got smack, blow, dust, rocks, shrooms, ludes, whizz, poppers, doves, dots, giggly, jellies, and smileys. Sorry everyone.

We here at the dccomedyfest think those answers stand for themselves. So now that you've had your free taste, come by a sample the pay-per laugh experience. I think you find our quality top notch, and the value for you dollar unbeatable. Besides, we weren't paying attention when we interview them, but it sounded to us like they said something about bringing Rice-A-Roni. Yummy, tasty Rice-A-Roni.

Fest Spotlight On kevINda!

2006-03-16T10:36:00.000-08:00

Maybe you are sitting at your computer and scratching your head while thinking "I see funny stuff, but do you have a group that would describe themselves as a 'smart mix of racially-charged political satire'? Bet you don't have that dccomedyfest! Do ya? Huh? Well do ya? Maybe I'm not making myself clear here dccomedyfest I want an answer. I wish you would pay attention when I ask questions, it hurts my feelings....blah, blah, blah". Well, if you are thinking that, you'd be wrong. Very wrong.

Let dccomedyfest provide you with your second chance to meet kevINda in DC. Kevin Douglas and Inda Craig-Galvan make up a duo like none other you will see performing anywhere. Hailing from Chicago, they combine Second City training, years of performing experience, and just plain brilliance into an act that will make you think, make you laugh, make you wonder if they can really say that, surprise you, and then make you laugh again even harder. While that description may seem as complex as putting together the EFFEKTIV workspace series (a fine workspace series if ever there were a fine workspace series) from IKEA, it boils down to one simple fact. They will make you laugh hard.

Inda was nice enough to send us some answers to our questions (more than a few were about kevINda). Take a look and get to know this returning dccomedyfest favorite. We loved them so much we had to have them back.

dccf: How did you and Kevin come up with idea to do kevINda?

Inda: Kevin held one of my kids hostage. At this point you say, "Inda, you have kids? How is that possible? You look so young and fit." But we digress. Kevin and I met while attending a class at The Second City Training Center. We did a student show together a while later, then both got cast as part of an "outreach and diversity" ensemble there. Eventually I got tired of Kevin saying, "We should write a show together," and we just did it. His name was Arthur back then. kevINda is much catchier than arthurnda. And the letters don't match up in the middle. Thanks for being a team player, Art.

dccf: kevINda has performed in a lot of interesting places recently, what has been the most interesting place you have gotten to perform?

Inda: If by "most interesting" you mean "scary-bad idea," then I'd have to say a mid-week, afternoon, outdoor show in the middle of downtown Chicago where families with little kids gathered to hear us say things like "tell him you got crabs" and "fuck Spike Lee" and, my personal favorite, "what's that pussy scent?". It started out as a well-intentioned effort by the Chicago Comedy Association. Actually seeing the acts you book before they perform might take that idea a little further.

dccf: How do you and Kevin describe the show to your friends and families?

Inda: It usually starts off with, "Me and my writing partner...." It sounds so legit. Writing partner. Ha!

dccf: Where do you and Kevin most often look for inspiration for your sketches?

Inda: The things that piss us off usually end up providing the most laughs for our audiences. Kevin and I will complain to each other about the absurdity of FEMA's response to Katrina, or about the ridiculousness of a furniture store running radio ads for a Dr. King Day sale (because the father of the civil rights movement was all about free financing and delivery of a living room sectional), or the not-too subtle similarities between the Curious George children's book and the African slave/middle passage history. One of us will complain for so long that the other one will say, "Just write a fucking sketch about it, will ya? Stop telling me about it or I quit." Neither of us is ready to go solo.

dccf: What has been the most surprising thing you and Kevin have discovered since you started performing together as kevINda?

Inda: You know, that line from Shoeless Joe (the novel) and Field of Dreams (the film)-- if you build it, they will come -- that shit is true. Once we started focusing on our own work and putting up a good product, opportunities came flooding in. Windows and doors are constantly opening. Letting go of that negative stuff and getting to work on something that we believe in allowed us to do all sorts of stuff that we hadn't expected. Not to sound all self-helpy, but once you get busy doing what you love and you stop waiting for "them" to put you on/hire you/cast you/fix your life for you, stuff just starts to happen. That's been the biggest surprise. Nope. I take that back. Kevin's not gay. That was it.

dccf: How do your friends and families describe the show to their friends and families?

Inda: Our friend (and Def Poet) Kevin Covall said "you wonder if you should laugh at it. It's okay to laugh." Or something like that.

dccf: What is the most interesting review you have received from an audience member after a performance?

Inda: One time...(reminiscing music here) a Chicago Tribune reviewer said, "...most sketch comedy groups are white..." as part of a much longer sentence, but that one portion got picked up by another local paper as if that were the entirety of the review.

dccf: kevINda rocked the dccomedyfest last year with some awesome sketches, what can our audiences expect to see in 2006?

Inda: More nudity, more penetration...oh, you meant in our show?! Got it. Well, definitely more angry colored folks dissing Bush, more social satire aimed at putting down Bush, and maybe even some Bush-bashing! And a surprise visit from Osama. Kevin,was I supposed to keep that a secret? See, you should have never made me the contact person for the group.

dccf: Anything that we should make sure our 2006 dccomedyfest audiences know before coming to check out kevINda?

Inda: The government WILL put you on a list for being there. kevINda out!!!!

Even if you are not a government agency, make sure to put kevINda on your list. You won't regret it. dccomedyfest out!

Fest Spotlight On Rob Cantrell

2006-03-14T09:58:00.000-08:00

Have you been too lazy to go see live stand-up comedy? Crave it, but not enough to enough to put on pants?

Well maybe, just maybe, you've been waiting for one of those guys you've seen on TV to come to a theater near you. Well we have the guy for you. And we're going to give you three chances to see him with some other pretty awesome comics! Who could this be? It's none other than Rob Cantrell (hope the title above and the picture didn't give the surprise away)! That's right, DC raised, comic Rob Cantrell (Yep! He's the guy you saw on the "Last Comic Standing!").

When Can you See him? Try:

Thursday April 6th, at 9 PM at with T Rexx (a one-two punch of comedy)
Friday April 7th, at 9 PM in the LETTERMAN AUDITIONS: The Pros. You get to see Rob plus Vince Averill, Andy Campbell, Kevin Downey Jr., Al Goodwin, Andy Hendrickson, David Landau, TJ Miller, Vijai Nathan, T Rexx, Tony Woods & Dwight York
Friday April 7th, at 11 PM with Andy Campbell (another killer comic with DC roots)

Check out the dccomedyfest site for location and ticket info!

We took a few moments to get some answers from Rob about himself, his start, and what we can expect to see at the fest. If you already aren't sold on coming to check him out at the fest, you will be! You will be!

dccf: What made you decide to head out to San Francisco to pursue stand-up comedy?

Rob: In 1999, I was twenty five years old living in an apartment in Glover Park in DC with a couple friends, I was three years out of college with a job placing Computer geeks with temp work. It was a rock n roll day dream gone wild. The truth was I was really bored with what I was doing, but it afforded me the ability to move out of my Mom’s house, drink heavily and to wear lots of business casual clothes with hamburger stains. I was creative and funny but I never really put it together where to start with Stand Up comedy. I majored in English at Denison University and I took a couple acting classes but nothing serious. Three years of a two hour commute on 495 was enough motivation to rethink my future career. I put together a plan. The last year I worked a ‘real job’, I moved back home to my Mom’s house on Capital Hill where I was born. I saved up 6,000 dollars, then quit my job and traveled all around Asia for six months. I never had time away from the US. I went to Thailand, Bali, Hong Kong, Cambodia and the Philippines, after that I ended back in the states on a friends coach in LA. I had another friend from college in San Francisco who had room for 375 a month for a limited time, so I moved right up there and started working at a sporting goods store during the day. At night I discovered the desperate world of open mike comedy. It took me two years but I worked my way up to getting paid at the club level. I never lived or really been ‘Out West’ till then. San Francisco is a funky town with plenty of music, art, culture and comedy. It was a great place to learn how to write a joke and far enough away from people that I know to see me completely bomb with that joke. I lived in San Francisco off and on for three and a half years. I always wanted to be Stand Up comic, it took me moving to California to start doing it.

dccf: What was the most fun part of doing “The LastComic Standing”?

Rob: Getting paid to be yourself and do stand up on national television during prime time, plus all the free cake.

dccf: Do you ever get confused for any of the other comics from “The Last Comic Standing”? If so, are there any that you consider to be a compliment, when compared to wanting to be confused for yourself?

Rob: No, Yes, No, Yes, Right there, stop, wait, who ate all my cake?

dccf: You have appeared all over, and have had chances to be seen via many different types of media. Which appearance do you consider to have been the most fun?

Rob: The most FUN!, remove money, is performing Stand Up comedy live!, being that free to express yourself is a blessing, getting that instant reaction of laughter is hard core fun, I love it!!; TV is great for the ego and a mind blowing experience but it can be stressful. Radio is a trip but it can be tricky as well, but there is nothing like the feeling of doing a great live show where everybody is loving it. I did a night at The Great American Music Hall, a classic old rockclub in San Francisco right after I was on Last Comic. I put a bunch of friends/peers on the show and we sold it out. The crowd was great, everybody killed and I think we got some shakes and steak sandwiches after the show. That was one of the most fun times I have had on stage, it is on my DVD that I sell on my website robcantrell.com. I like it simple.

dccf: You are originally from the DC area, what’s it like when you come home to perform? Do DC audiences treat you differently than when you are performing in other towns?

Rob: I love DC, the Redskins, Go-Go Music, the Metro and shady Hill staffers, what more do you need. The last time I played here, I was at the State Theater in Falls Church and it was packed with smart, cool, down to earth people from the DC area. I have family and friends around here. It feels like I am recharging my batteries when I come back home, plus my Mom still doesn’t mind washing my underwear.

dccf: In the most recent “What’s Happening…” section onyour web site you talk about songs you downloaded from iTunes. What kind of feed back do you get from your fans about your taste in music? Any surprising reactions?

Rob: It’s been good. A chick on myspace told me it should be in Time or Oprah magazine.

dccf: How do your parents describe your act to their friends?

Rob: My Mom sends my DVD to my older relatives and tells them to turn the volume all the way down. I understand, I set up one joke with the line “Pitbull raped my Grandma!”- this is not a true story- the words sound funny, I love pitbulls and Grandmas.

dccf: What is the strangest, but still nice, review youhave received from audience member after a show?

Rob: You were great, can I get a ride home.

dccf: For dccomedyfest audience members who haven’t been lucky enough to see you perform yet, what can they expect to see?

Rob: You, Me, Them, big stacks of Pancakes, 50 Exotic BellyDancers with tiny little cymbals on their fingers, reunited Dread Zeppelin or maybe just a man having the time of his life telling goofy jokes and funny stories about life.

dccf: Any thing you want us to make sure dccomedyfest blog readers know about you?

Rob: I do love cheese but not cheesy people.

Our thanks to Rob for answering our questions. As you can see his shows will be a treat! And maybe if you ask nicely, he'll give you a ride home after the show. If not, we are metro accessible. Do remember to put on some pants!

Fest Spotlight On MEAT!

2006-03-09T13:19:00.000-08:00

We aren't talking about a Spotlight on Ground Chuck here folks, but we are Spotlighting MEAT. If they were a popular cut of the beast, they would be Prime Rib! MEAT is a group of ladies that is putting their own brand on their herds of loyal fans (not to call us cattle, but a metaphor is a metaphor). This amazing foursome makes up one of the funniest sketch troupes working today.

People who attended the 2005 dccomedyfest will remember their performances with awe. It's not every day you are so scared that you laugh until it hurts (see our write-up the Evil British Children). And the raw fun of sketches like Shelac alone will be putting people in the seats for their return visit to our nations capital. So don't miss your chance to see these ladies do what they were meant to be doing.

We talked with MEAT and they were kind enough to fill us in about the phenomenon that is MEAT:

dccf: How did the members of MEAT originally get together?

MEAT: We met at an audition for a different project. I think it is one of the things that makes MEAT unique. Most groups come with a history from college or high school or were started by two friends, etc, but we REALLY met for the first time at that audition and got together out of a mutual respect for each others' writing and acting abilities. We have of course become friends more like family, but the respect is still there, which I think allows us to be more honest about our work.

dccf: What kind of process does MEAT use to generate it sketch ideas?

MEAT: It varies. Sometimes one person will have an inspired moment and write a complete sketch and it's brilliant and we just let it fly and then tweak it after a performance or two. Let us be clear that this sort of confidence comes from working together for so long. More often, someone brings something in and we all give our feedback and they make the call on what suggestions they want to use-- our rule is that if you wrote it, you make the call. We will also get together and write something with one other person... each of us has a distinct sensibility, and so it can be very useful (for example, Biz is the queen of the high energy, ridiculous and insane sketch, Becky's the queen of the experimental and absurd, Livia is the queen of mean people and fast paced dialogue, and when it comes to high drama and camp, nobody does it better than Reggei). The other thing that we'll do is just hang out with each other and ideas will come from that- we all chime in and it becomes sort of like conversational-improv. One of our favorite sketches, "Mr. Knickerbocker," came from that.

dccf: What has been the biggest surprise for the group since it formed?

MEAT: How well we've been received around the country. When you live in New York (and some of us have been here a looooooooooooong time!) it can become isolating... like, we think, "How can anyone vote for George Bush? He is the worst president EVER." Well, it's obvious now that when it comes to that issue, we're really out of touch with how a huge portion of the population thinks about him. (Although not anymore! Ha-ha!) Anyway, sense of humor is particularly relative-- Blue Collar Comedy was a hit and Arrested Development was yanked: what is funny to New Yorkers is not necessarily going to be funny to college kids in the Midwest or people who blow glass in Portland, Oregon. But we've been lucky-- our shows have been appreciated by all sorts of audiences, and we are very appreciative back. We work hard for our audiences and we want them to have a great time while being true to our voice. We aren't just writing sketches for our drunk friends.

We would also like to note that we have been excited at the discovery that there is an incredible sketch community out there, across the country. There are amazing people doing brilliant sketch comedy and we encourage you to search it out. You can always check out our links page at our website to check out the groups we love from around the country.

dccf: MEAT has appeared at many different comedy festivals in the last several years. What has this kind of exposure done to your fan base?

MEAT: It's allowed us to bring them closer to Christ.

dccf: What is the strangest review that MEAT has ever received?

MEAT: I guess this is a review. At one of our shows we had a drunk guy stand up and repeatedly yell "Asshole" at us. We were doing a sketch about priests. While he did not like that sketch, he apparently loved our sketch about George Bush Shitting in the mouth of America. It turned out that we was a priest, by the way. A shitfaced priest.

dccf: If dccomedyfest audience members saw MEAT perform last year, what can they expect to see this year?

MEAT: They can see new "episodes" of some of our reoccurring characters like the Evil British Children and Shelac. I don't believe we did Velvet Scrunchie last year which is our acapella punk band. We also have several new sketches covering everything from mixed cds to Pacman. This will be all new for DC.

dccf: Any thing you want us to make sure dccomedyfest blog readers know about MEAT?

MEAT: We have a new website up with some videos of our sketches and a blog we maintain poorly. Ha ha ha. We also have some fun projects going on, like Biz has a popular blog called "Princess Pony Party Amazing" with Jordana Barnes from Portland's The 3rd Floor, Livia hosts a variety show every week and is working on a solo show called "Goodnight, O.J." and Becky is in the awesome sketch duo Becky and Noelle and a kickass band with other talented NY comedy ladies called "Stickerbook." We are also going to be doing a series of short films with the brilliant and talented Michael (Baz) Balzer from the Chicago sketch group, "Animal Club."

So get your number at the butcher's counter (more specifically order tickets now) to catch them either at the Warehouse Theater or during our fest fanale at Lisner Auditorium. You won't regret your decision to spend some time with MEAT.

Fest Spotlight On Baby Wants Candy

2006-03-08T07:01:00.000-08:00

With just under a month to go before the 2006 dccomedyfest you may be wondering what you can expect to see at the fest. In an effort to bring you up to speed so that you don't miss any of the totally awesome acts at fest, we present you with our Fest Spotlight series of interviews. Each interview will offer you the chance to get to know these acts you may not yet be familiar with, but won't be able to stop talking about once you've experienced them.

Today's Spotlight is on BABY WANTS CANDY. They are an improv group that offers up a one hour improvised musical. In addition to great critical reviews, Baby Wants Candy has great street creds. Every improvist that this blogger has talked to is eagerly waiting for a chance to see BWC at the fest. Seats will probably fill up fast for their shows (check the dccomedyfest schedule for your chance to see them at the fest).

We got Emily Dorezas, Baby Wants Candy's Executive Producer, to answer some questions to help you decide to come check out their shows.

dccf: How do the members of Baby Wants Candy describe the show to their friends and families?

Emily: Improvised musical Simpson's Episode

dccf: Who makes up the cast of Baby Wants Candy?

Emily: On Stage we have 7 people that we rotate in from a cast of 25. We are accompanied by our piano player or full band.

dccf: What kinds of suggestions have you all gotten for shows in the past? Any favorites?

Emily: "Maple Syrup Urine Disease", "The Revenge of Thomas Jefferson","I Just Slept With my Best Friend's Girlfriend"

dccf: In musical improv, are there some types of suggestions that are more difficult to work with than others?

Emily: Typically what is a challenge for one person may come easier for another with in the group. We try to cast a show with a variety of strengths.

dccf: What is the most interesting review a Baby Wants Candy show has received from an audience member?

Emily: We thought we were coming to see a burlesque show and this was kind of like that.

dccf: Is there anything dccomedyfest audiences need to do to prepare for the Baby Wants Candy experience?

Emily: Think of a title of a musical you want to see that has never been performed before and be ready with it as soon as BWC asks the crowd for a suggestion.

dccf: Anything you want make sure dccomedyfest blog readers to know about Baby Wants Candy that we haven't covered?

Emily: Some folks don't know that we've done over 1300 different musicals and typically Fleming farts on stage.

Thanks Emily for filling us in. Now that you are prepared for what to expect, start thinking of titles for musicals you want to see. Just remember it could be your wife or grandmother sitting next to you that gets out their title first. So be prepared to yell out "Abe Lincoln Vs. The Gobots" if that is what you really want to see rather their equally interesting suggestion of "A Tale of Two Snack Cakes". On second thought, those suggestions are already taken for an upcoming episode of Judge Judy, so best to come up with your own original suggestions. Long story short, don't miss BABY WANTS CANDY performing what could be your idea for a musical! Take that Andrew Lloyd Weber!

Spotlight Interviews

2006-03-03T07:50:00.000-08:00

After a month of Silence, you may be wondering what's going on with the 2006 dccomedyfest.

IT'S COMING!!

And we have more great acts than you could hope see in one place, including:

Emo Philips
Rob Cantrell
Demetri Martin
Mitch Fatel
Eddie Brill
Tony Woods
T Rexx
Mickey C.
MEAT
Elephant Larry
POW
KevInDa
Uphill Both Ways
UCB TourCo
Baby Wants Candy
WIT (161)
and many more.

Check back regularly during the coming week(s) for exciting interviews with many of these groups. We can't wait to hear what these folks are thinking, or for you to read all about it.