A few days ago we wrapped up an amazing weekend run for July. Hundreds of people came through our doors – in masks – and saw a lot of great shows. We even had to turn people away because we are very strict about limiting our seating capacity to do what we can to limit spread. If you missed the July’s shows- fear not for August shows are now online!
Before we get to the hot August line-up I wanted to briefly mention two things that will be announced more officially next week. The first is that we will be running an initiative we hope will lead to some people getting vaccinated. What’s in it for you other than protecting yourself and others? 1.3 years worth of FREE shows at Crossroads Comedy Theater. More info on Monday. The other not-quite-a-tease is that as of today we have a new online and box office sales system! I’ll have a post highlighting this next week, but for now the direct way this impacts our audience is no more ticket fees! That wil save our fans nearly $2 on every ticket. There’s a lot more to it than that, but for now, when you look at the prices below know that that is exactly what you will be paying.
Now for shows! We got some! Here are a few highlights with the full lineup below. In March of 2020, Not Yet Rated was practicing for an Improvised Slasher on Friday the 13th- then the world shut down. On Friday the 13th of August they finally get their chance and this time… it’s personal. Study Hall returns with special guests Dr. Melinda Lewis (Drexel University), April Rose (Fringe Arts), and another TBA. Extree! Extree! returns to turn the news on its head. Making it’s Crossroads Comedy Theater debut is a show I’ve run on and off since 2011 – the Sideshow! This iteration, The Sideshow: A Comedy Variety Showcase, will feature Hoffman and weird and wonderful acts with Shannon Fahey as our host / barker this month. Kicking off Sunday nights remains our FREE Improv Jam hosted by Jabari Dortch & Rachel Semigran.
Visiting from New York is one of my favorite shows to bring down, Electoral Dysfunction! Politics, yelling, improv, and puns await. The N Crowd returns this month now with 50% more comedy! They’re taking over the full hour to do a show closer to what they’re known for. Finally, Thank You, Places: An Improvised Musical returns to create another musical right before your eyes. July’s show sold out before the doors opened, so don’t temp fate again this month.
It’s another weekend run where we have something for everyone. Hope to see you around the theater!
Mike Marbach
Crossroads Comedy Theater Founder
A FEW SPOTS LEFT IN OUR BOOTCAMP!
It’s been nearly eighteen months since you have been in a real classroom or on a non-Zoom stage. That’s three times as long as it took Frodo and Sam to reach Mount Doom. Your improv skills have been lying dormant withering away with each passing day. Work that brain out with this 8 week class that will run you through ringer to get you back in stage shape! Each week will focus on a different skillset; starting with the basics; moving to more advanced moves; culminating in a performance. Every two weeks will feature a new instructor, giving you multiple points of view within one eight week course. If you’re nervous about getting back on stage after so long, want a refresher on a variety of improv skills, or simply want to have fun with real humans for two months- we got your back!
NOT YET RATED: AN IMPROVISED SLASHER
Do you like scary movies? Then you will love Not Yet Rated: An Improvised Movie. It’s Friday the 13th and that means it’s improvised Slasher time! Using horror movie tropes and your suggestions, the cast improvises a completely new horror comedy you definitely won’t see in theaters. Masked psychos, blood and gore, helpless teens, and so much more are on the table in this show never seen before and, like some of the characters, never to be seen again! No Script. No Props. No Escape. This film is Not Yet Rated
Friday, August 13th @ 8:00 p.m. | $12-$15
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS!
THANK YOU PLACES: AN IMPROVISED MUSICAL
Crossroads Comedy Theater is excited to welcome the first visit from the hilarious Electoral Dysfunction! The show where comedians and experts debate the news of the week. Host Tom Brennan (Marvel Entertainment) and token Never Trump Republican Robert George (Daily News) talk to folks from the Daily Show, The Onion, NPR, and EVEN a mayor who ended up getting indicted (Guess which one!) in this weekly talk show about the strange times we live in. Features an improv inspired by the debate performed by some of Philly’s best improvisers. Bring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to receive 50% off your ticket!
Friday, August 13th @ 9:30 p.m. | $10
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS!
STUDY HALL: COMEDY INSPIRED BY LECTURES
Study Hall is back live on stage for some in person lessons and laughs! Invited guests from different areas of expertise will present a lecture on a topic from their field for discussion after which a cast of some of Philly’s funniest performers will use what they’ve learned (or didn’t) to improvise hilarious scenes right before your eyes! You’ll learn and laugh in one fantastic hour! 8/14 features Dr. Melinda Lewis (Drexel University), April Rose (Fringe Arts), and one more guest TBA!
Saturday, August 14th @ 7:00 p.m. | $12 – $15
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS!
THANK YOU, PLACES: AN IMPROVISED MUSICAL
Broadway isn’t open yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see a Broadway style show! Crossroads Comedy Theater is proud to welcome a guest performance by Thank You Places: An Improvised Musical in their first show since March 2020! This independently produced improvised show is a one-hour, Broadway-style musical that is entirely made up on the spot, created from a single audience suggestion! The story, the music, the lyrics, everything created just for you.
Saturday, August 14th @ 8:30 p.m. | $12 – $15
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS!
THE SIDESHOW: A COMEDY VARIETY SHOWCASE
Step right up! See the wonders that Philly comedy has to offer in the Sideshow Comedy Variety Showcase! You might see improv! You might see sketch! You might see dancing! You might see any number of fun, weird, or interesting things that don’t fit neatly into any one category! All in the same block for one low price. The Sideshow this month will be hosted by the fantastic Shannon Fahey.
Saturday, August 14th @ 10:00 p.m. | $8
FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS CLICK HERE!
FREE IMPROV JAM AT THE CROSSROADS
Itching for some stage time after a year indoors? Looking to try improv for the first time ever? Come on out to our Free Improv Jam! All experience levels are welcome to sign up and hop on stage. Don’t have any improv experience? No worries! You’ll be paired with a more experienced improviser so you two can shine together. You’ll do a scene or two, have some fun, and maybe make some new friends! The jam is hosted by Jabari Dortch and Rachel Semigran who also appear in the Crossroads show Extree Extree: Comedy Inspired by the News.
Sunday, 8/15 @ 6pm | Free!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS!
EXTREE EXTREE: COMEDY INSPIRED BY THE NEWS
Extree! Extree! Read all about it! Comedy show discusses the news of the week and improvises hilarious scenes inspired by it! News articles and videos are presented to the cast who will be seeing them for the first time. Get caught up on the latest goings on of this big blue marble and have a laugh with some of Philly’s best improvisers! Features a core of regular performers and guests from other Crossroads shows and the world of improv at large.
Sunday, 8/15 @ 7:00 p.m. | Pay What You Can!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS!
THE N CROWD IN A FULL BLOCK SET!
Crossroads Comedy Theater is thrilled to welcome back the N Crowd for a special full-block performance! The N Crowd has performed improv comedy shows every Friday since 2005. Our rotating cast of hilarious performers play a variety of improv games you may have seen before and ones you’ll never see anywhere else! The N Crowd was called “Philadelphia’s premiere improv troupe” by the Philadelphia Style Magazine and has often been named as one of the top places to see a comedy show by the Philly A-List. We have been performing at the Philly Improv Theater since 2017. After nearly 15 years and 800 shows inside and outside of Philadelphia, The N Crowd is still going strong with shows every week.
Sunday, 8/15 @ 8pm | $15
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS!
