Caitlin White
Staff Writer
Amidst the surfeit numbers of dead-beat comedy clubs that have invaded Los Angeles, it can be hard to decipher where one will find true laughter versus where one will be over-charged to listen to painfully unfunny jokes. Thankfully, a beacon of light has been found, and that beacon is Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.
With theatres in both New York City and Los Angeles, this organization has been inundating America with its brand of improvisational comedy from coast to coast.
The tiny United Citizens Brigade Theatre is smashed in between a coffee shop dubbed the “Bourgieous Pig” and a restaurant called “La Poubelle”, which means “the trash can” in French.
In spite of the dubious location in the downtown Hollywood area of Los Feliz, a line of at least 40 people snakes out the door and down along the curb nearly every night.
As one of the few comedy clubs with shows seven nights a week, along with its reputation as one of the best comedy schools around, it is easy to see why illustrious publications like The Onion describe UCB as “witty, irreverent, and conceptually ambitious.” The tickets are cheap, ranging anywhere from free to $8, at the most. This is a huge draw for students.
Once inside, past a small lobby and an even smaller hallway, the theatre holds less than 100 people, with extra folding chairs that can be thrown right onto the stage if more show up. The audience trickles in, many holding suspicious looking plastic or paper bags, but UCB doesn’t mind. As the shows progress and audience members dip into their stashes — the shows seem to get funnier, and the performers appreciate the help.
Depending on the show, the performers will be varied. One will most likely not be able to distinguish them from those on Comedy Central, but their passion for comedy is evident.
In order to see what all the fuss is about, one only need attend UCB’s Mad TV show, which includes the talents of Katie Dippold, Chris Kula and Keegan Michael Key.
In a “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” fashion, the comedians took suggestions from the audience, around which they built their entire show — a show that was even more hilarious through the unlikely connections the audience suggestions formed. Because of the informal nature of the show, no holds were barred, as the actors freely touched upon any and all explosive issues, including Communism, hurricanes, offshore drilling, outsourcing and even Sarah Palin. This freedom is certainly part of the reason why UCB has experienced such success, both in its expansion into Los Angeles and its home and founding location in New York City.
The UCB also specializes in improv and impromptu shows, such as its Open Mic Nights, which performers are not allowed to sign up for until 10:30 p.m. The show starts at 11 p.m. The names of each performer are thrown into a bucket, and, before the show starts, ten names are drawn out. These ten are the comedians for the night, who each have five minutes to perform their sets.
If expecting a classy and politically correct show, do not attend a show at the United Citizen’s Brigade. This theatre is the place to go only if one is in the mood for riotous laughter, as open-minded comedians are eager to mock all aspects of American life.
Although one may have to walk down a few alleys to get there, the light-hearted, quick-paced comic timing will make up for it. And the ability to help create part of the show may just make the night a little more personal. If the comedians get too personal, do not be surprised — they probably have their own brown bag concoctions back stage.
09-18-2008
