Author: Ella Fornari
Many think improv died in the ’90s and stand-up comedy takes place exclusively in comedy clubs that have minimum drink requirements on top of ridiculous ticket fees. Well, maybe short-form improv died in the ’90s, but some of the best comedy shows now don’t happen in traditional comedy clubs and range from free to only ten dollars. Welcome to the world of alternative comedy. Luckily, Los Angeles has one of the best alternative comedy scenes in the world. As is the case with most things alternative, getting into the scene needs a bit of know-with-all. Looking at a schedule and knowing where to go can be daunting. Here is a list of comedy events happening in L.A., spanning those geared towards beginners and those for more expert-level comedy fans.
To Begin/ For the Comedy Novice:
The following shows are ideal for those who watch a lot of comedy but have never been to a live show before. These shows are listed as “beginner” because they showcase the best comedy L.A. has to offer in an easier-to-digest format.
ASSSSCAT: The staple show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (UCB), ASSSSCAT, has been running for over 10 years, and it features a crowd of improvisers and a guest monologist. The monologist takes a random word from the audience then gives an on-the-spot monologue related to the suggestion. The improvisers then take over and do a long-form improvised set based on the story told. Hilarity ultimately unfolds.
This improv format is unique to ASSSSCAT and never disappoints. ASSSSCAT almost always includes master improviser Matt Besser, one of the original founders of UCB (along with Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh and Amy Poehler, who also occasionally appear in the show). Guest monologists and improvisers are often familiar faces from comedy, especially NBC sitcoms, as UCB has been a talent feeder for NBC over the past few years (to name a few, alum include Bobby Moniham of SNL, Donald Glover of Community and of course Amy Poehler).
There are two ASSSSCAT performances a week, one on Saturdays at 8 p.m. ($10) and the other, which is free, every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Typically the ticketed show is more contained while the free show attracts more colorful characters and displays more ridiculous performances.
Upright Citizens Brigade 5919 Franklin Ave., Los Feliz. (323) 908-8702.
For tickets and more information: losangeles.ucbtheatre.com.
The Super Serious Show: Super Serious Show is a monthly comedy show, held since 2010, that attracts the best of alternative stand-up acts and sketch groups. The show itself varies in acts every month, but the format is extremely user friendly and provides a nice variety overview into the L.A. alt-comedy scene. The show usually features one headline stand-up act and an array of openers, which range from stand-ups to sketch groups to musical comedy improvisers. Many of the acts are featured comics from late night shows like Conan or Jimmy Fallon. These acts, especially the stand-ups, are smart and witty and will never have overly crude or obnoxious sets like one may find at more brand name stand-up spots.
Even though the comedy takes center stage, pre-show festivities are reason enough to go to The Super Serious Show. From doors at 7 p.m. to the 8 p.m. showtime, the venue holds live DJ-sets, Food Trucks and FREE beer from Eagle Rock Brewery.
The Super Serious Show takes place the third Thursday of every month, Pre-Show at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door. Pre-Sale is available athttp://superseriousshow.brownpapertickets.com/.
Cafe Club Fais Do-Do 5253 West Adams Blvd, (323) 931-4636.
Intermediate:
Although still a necessary fixture in the L.A. alt-comedy scene, these shows have more specific niche followings of their own. They may be a bit less accessible than the shows above but are fantastic for comedy fans who have been to a few shows and know the difference between, say, sketch and improv.
Harold Night: The “Harold” is a 30 minute form of improv created by legendary improv teacher Del Close. Harolds are usually much brainier and more interesting sets than short form improv games characteristic of shows like “Whose Line is it Anyway.” The long-form structure allows time for stories to go full circle and really engage the audience. Each Harold night features about six up and coming long-form improv groups, which often have (as with many things UCB) cultish followings of their own. The typical Harold Night audience is a bit more well-versed in improv comedy, which is why this show is recommended for people to go to once they get a feel for UCB-style improv at ASSSSCAT.
Harold night at UCB is Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and each show features two improv groups. The show usually sells out a week ahead of time, so go online to purchase tickets.
Upright Citizens Brigade 5919 Franklin Ave., Los Feliz. (323) 908-8702.
Tickets are $5 and are available at: losangeles.ucbtheatre.com.
The Meltdown Show with Jonah and Kumail- Comedians Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani host this weekly stand-up spotlight in the back room of Meltdown Comics. This show is the staple of the “NerdMelt” calender, which is a partnership of Nerdist Industries and Meltdown Comics. Nerdist industries is most famous for The Nerdist podcast with Chris Hardwick. In keeping with “Nerdist,” this show caters to a bit of a “nerdier” crowd and fans of reference humor, humor that derives from pop-culture references. The comedians featured in The Meltdown often overlap those at Super Serious Show and other indie stand-up shows around town, but are nonetheless always showcasing fresh material. Big names like Dana Gould, Aziz Ansari, Robin Williams, Louis CK, David Spade and Marc Maron have graced The Meltdown stage over the years.
The Meltdown takes place Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m., Tickets are $8 and available online
Nerdmelt Calendar and tickets to The Meltdown: https://www.nerdmeltla.com/tickets2/
Meltdown Comics 7522 Sunset Blvd., Hlywd., (323) 851-7223
Expert:
After having stalked the UCB calendar and in need of a change of pace from the more well-known shows in the LA Alt-Comedy scene, here are some nice alternatives to the alternative.
Crashbar Improv- For those who’ve maybe caught a Harold night or two, CrashBar provides a more laid back and party-like approach to the long-form improv jam. The show is FREE, but donations are accepted and takes place Sundays at 7 p.m. in Los Feliz. The Sunday night time slot has made Crashbar an alternative to ASSSSCAT at UCB. Each show features about seven long-form improv teams, who all do about 20 minutes sets, and one stand up act. There are lingering breaks between acts, which makes this show even more of a “hang-out” than UCB.
Beer and water are also available by donation. The fact that beverages are set-your-own price reveals the lovable, outsider, hipster-ish crowd that this show attracts. Many of the teams are the same ones featured in Harold Night at UCB and all the teams featured are regularly coached. The show is highly recommended for those who love long-form improv but want a change of scenery from UCB or Groundlings theaters.
Sundays 7 p.m. at The Clubhouse 1107-a El Centro off Santa Monica, Los Feliz, Los Angeles 90026
For More Information http://www.crashbarimprov.com/
Holy F*ck FREE Comedy: As the name suggests, this is a free show, true to its name. This show features overlapping comics from the other stand-up shows mentioned but takes place at the Downtown Independent Theater, which is certainly a nice change of scenery. Since the show is free, it offers a nice stage for comics to try out new bits and really interact with the crowd (though not in a heckling or insult comic kind of way). The show also occasionally features sketch comedy screenings between stand-up acts. Maria Bamford and Dana Gould have become semi-regulars to this show, but Demetri Martin, Paul Scheer, Tig Notaro, Aziz Ansari and Louis CK have also made appearances. The weekly lineup is available at holyfuckcomedy.com, although many big names will come as surprise and not be listed in the weekly poster.
Holy F*ck takes place Tuesdays at 9 p.m.
The Downtown Independent Theater, 251 S. Main St. btw 2nd and 3rd Downtown Los Angeles, CA 90012
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