Gettin' Close with Mike Marbach

My guest this episode is none other than 30 Rock’s, Scott Adsit! Many know him as Pete Hornberger, but he’s done lots of other things including Moral Orel on cartoon network, Mr. Show and tons of bit parts and guest spots. He was in town for Duofest at Philly Improv Theater in June where he did a set of shows with Jet Eveleth (whose Gettin Close episode was already posted). We talk a lot about comedy and hear some great stories, but we also talk about his thoughts on comedy and philosophies on improv. Took me a while to get it posted, but it’s finally done. Enjoy it and share!

Also- Friday 11/8 at Greg Sestero and his Disaster Artist book tour is coming to town! He played “Mark” in what is arguably the best-worst movie ever made- The Room. I never miss a chance to watch this movie with people. I really do enjoy it every time. He will be at the PhilaMOCA where he’ll not just be signing copies of the book (I just got mine!), but also reenacting scenes from the film! I’m going to get to reenact a scene from the film as “Peter” and it’s gonna be amazing. Even more amazing- it looks like the next episode will be Gettin Close with Greg Sestero!

Support me and the podcast and sign up for a free, no risk trial of Audible.com! I’m not sure if the Disaster Artist is up there yet, but if it is- there ya go. Free.

The post Gettin’ Close with Scott Adsit! appeared first on Crossroads Comedy Theater.

In this long overdue to be posted episode I sit down with one of my improv mentors, Susan Messing. Susan was in town in July when she did a weekend of workshops and shows at PHIT with Christina Gausas. Susan is one of my biggest inspirations. Not only do I think I get my class room potty mouth from her, but I like to think I get some improv know how as well. This was a great chat in which we talk about how she got involved in comedy (of course) as well as the history of the Annoyance and loads of improv theory talk.

At the top of the show I also talk briefly about Asteroid! Asteroid! is a PHIT house team I’ve coached for over 3.5 years now. We are calling it a run and we have our last 3 shows coming up. 10/24-10/26 at 7pm. It’s the Improvised B-Movie, which is an improvised comedy show inspired by sci-fi and horror films of the 50’s and 60’s. So it’s loaded with aliens, monsters, soviets and lots of other strange goings on. They won a WitOut award for last year’s run of it (Best Short Run Show) as well as took home the “Best Improv Group” honor. It should be a really fun show and I suggest you buy tickets in advance. Saturday is nearly sold out. I’ll write more about Asteroid! tomorrow or Friday, but for now I’ll just say… I’m really, really going to miss this team. They’ve been not only grown into great performers but have all grown to be great friends and I wish them the most fun final 3 shows they could have.

Lastly, Greg Sestero will be at PhilaMOCA next month! Still hoping to snag a chat with him about his book, “The Disaster Artist”.

The post Gettin’ Close with Susan Messing! appeared first on Crossroads Comedy Theater.

After a brief hiatus, the Gettin’ Close podcast returns! The guest this time around is stand-up comedian and author, Michael “F’n” Rainey. I first met Mike in the basement of the Shubin theater where him and his buddy, Tim Butterly, were doing bits in these horrible (being great) delco/northeast Philly accents. I asked them if they could put that together in a set for Sideshow and they created the “Not For Nothin’ Podcast”. They’ve done it several times and it’s become one of my favorite things to see in Philly. This chat is by far the shortest, because we were under time constraints, but it’s a fun one. We talk about how he got his start, what keeps him going, peeing on people, hecklers, bad coke dealers and more. You can support him and Autism Speaks when you buy his book Terrible Advice. It’s only $10 and you will have something that makes you laugh. Keep it in the bathroom under your copy of Leaves of Grass.  Just tweet him at @mrainey82 and ask for it. You should be following him on twitter anyway. Below is the video of “Billy Dogherty: Sucker Punch Attorney”. Watch it and share it. It deserves a lot more views.

This episode was recorded live on 8/1 at the first Philly Podcast Festival. Thank you to Nathan Kuruna putting it all together and inviting me and to PhilaMoca for hosting the event. Check out their site for some really cool events November’s visit by Greg Sestero (Mark from “The Room”!) who will be signing copies of his book The Disaster Artist. You’ll notice thanks to the festival that the sound quality during the chat is a whole hell of a lot better than normal. So that’s pushed me to purchase a real microphone. We’ll see how that goes. Soon this podcast might sound pretty decent. Coming up on the next episode I’ll be Gettin’ Close with one of my comedy mentors, improv living legend, Susan Messing!

Photo taken by someone at Thursday Comedy at PJ Ryan’s Pub during one of Mike’s sets.

The post Gettin’ Close with Michael F’n Rainey! appeared first on Crossroads Comedy Theater.

In this episode I get close with the Reckoning’s Jet Eveleth! I was able to sit down with Jet when she came to PHIT for her Duofest show with Scott Adsit (who happens to be next on the podcast!). It was in the Reckoning that I was introduced to her and their more patient, organic style of improv that came to influence much of what I’m still interested in about improv. In this podcast you’ll be able to feel how passionate she is about the art of improv… watching it, performing it, reading about it and teaching it as we talk about each of those things. We also talk about what got her interested in comedy, how clowning and acting have influenced her improv and life and much, much more. This was a really great conversation and one that I know you’ll get something out of.

Be sure to check out Audible.com/GettinClosePodcast for your free audiboook download and 30 day free trial. Cancel within the 30 days and you are charged nothing and you keep your audio book. When you do the podcast gets some cash. So it’s much appreciated. Maybe I’ll be able to buy a decent microphone if y’all did this. Also check out this podcast and Stark Raven Mad: A Game of Thrones podcast in the upcoming Philly Podcast Festival! It runs 8/1-8/3. Check out PhillyPodFest.com for more information.

The post Gettin’ Close with Jet Eveleth! appeared first on Crossroads Comedy Theater.

In this 18th episode of the Gettin’ Close podcast I chat with one of my improv mentors, Mark Sutton. The Annoyance theater has played a big part in shaping my views about performing improv and Mark specifically has done a great deal to shape my views about teaching it. In addition to the normal background things like how he got interested in comedy, what set him on the improv path, how he met up improv dignitaries like Joe Bill and Mick Napier to form the Annoyance Theater, we also talk a lot about improv theory and the teaching of improv. We break down the improv Philosophy of the Annoyance in various ways. He talks about what he likes about improv. How he’d like teams to be more “theatrical” and much more. This isn’t an episode. This is a class. Much like the Rich Talarico episode, you’ll want to listen to this again. It’s pret-ty good. Sound is a lower quality than it normally is for some reason. Not sure what the deal is there, but it’s fine. Like the link on my page, rate/review/subscribe in iTunes. Thanks for listening!

As always the podcast is sponsored by Audible.com! Please go over to audibletrial.com/gettinclosepodcast and sign up for a free, no risk 30 day trial of the audible service. You’ll get a free audiobook download and I’ll get some money to keep this thing going. It’s very much appreciated. If you don’t like the service, just cancel before the 30 days are up. Simple as that.

The post Gettin’ Close with Mark Sutton! appeared first on Crossroads Comedy Theater.

Philly Improv Theater Executive Director Greg Maughan is the guest on this latest episode of the Gettin’ Close podcast. And it’s a long one. Even when compared to others. I thought of editing this down… then thought of breaking it up into two episodes… but nope. I want it all or nothing at all. What can I say… I like to talk. I ask a lot of questions. In this chat we learn why he can never be president, lots of stuff about growing up including a nickname I’m sure he might hear from some people now, lots of information about the formation of PHIT and all that takes place there, we talk about the PHIT staff including myself, his search for a a permanent theater space and what goes into it and much more. It’s a long discussion, but a good one. This might be the last epic episode. I think I might try to cut them down a bit in recording. Maybe. Probably not.

You’ll also hear why there’s been such a delay in getting this episode posted. I’ve just been busy. One reason I’ll say now… another new podcast. If you are getting this on iTunes check out “Stark Raven Mad: A Game of Thrones Podcast”. It’s me and several other Philly performers of varying familiarity with the books/show recapping each episode and discussing all that’s involved. It’s a fun time.

As always, please like the link on my page, share the facebook blurbs, rate and subscribe on the iTunes. It’s much appreciated.

The post Gettin’ Close with Greg Maughan! appeared first on Crossroads Comedy Theater.

In the sweet sixteen episode of the Gettin’ Close Podcast I’m joined by friend of the podcast and friend of life, Brendan Kennedy. We sit down down his Guitly Pleasures cohort, Roger C. Snair and his lady. This was recorded back in December, but it has now been released upon you all. The podcast touches a wide variety of topics. Roger can speak to just about anything and I’m very glad he does exactly that. Thanks to Roger for sitting down and for Brendan for helping to arrange it and for helping keep it “on track”. Good times were had. Now listen as I get close… with Roger Snair. (Photo: Tom Loveland).

The post Gettin’ Close with Roger C. Snair! appeared first on Crossroads Comedy Theater.

It’s the first episode of the new year/season! When we left of last season the podcast was but a nominee for an award, but we return a winner. Yes, this podcast has won “Best Podcast or Web Series” in the 2013 Witout Awards. Thank you to everyone that voted and thank you to each and every guest. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each and every chat and I hope any listeners out there have as well. There’s lots planned for the podcast this year. Reaching out to more national personalities, but not losing sight of the local people that keep it going. I’ll also be working with some other people on some off-shoot podcasts, but I’ll talk about those another time. For now- it’s all about the Lung.

In season 2  episode 1 I sit down with Philly improv group, Iron Lung, to discuss their two year run, which comes to a high point in tonight’s Sideshow Presents: Iron Lung’s 2 Year Birthday/Party. We talk about how the team formed, picking a name, the experiences in classes, with different coaches, forms, how different people leaving is dealt with… the general ups and downs of producing the team you are on. If you are on an “indie” team then this is a great resource for you.

Iron Lung has done a great job since emerging as a group from PHIT classes and has been a good example of how to make things happen for yourself. Over the last two years members have gone on to join PHIT house teams, duos, sketch groups and have started their own shows as well. As a group they’ve helped to fuel the growing indie improv world in Philly and as individuals they’ve done the same for Philly comedy overall.  This was a particularly good chat for me as I wasn’t just the host of this podcast to them, but an instructor to most, a coach to some and a friend to all. (You should expect this following that). Enjoy it as I get close… with Iron Lung.

The post Gettin’ Close with Iron Lung! appeared first on Crossroads Comedy Theater.

In the season finale of the Gettin Close podcast I sit down with Philly performer, Chip Chantry. We talk about the usual how-he-got-into-comedy stuff as well as what he does for a living, what you do when you have a year off, Steve Guttenberg, Face Time, The Wid, sketch videos, future plans, Bing Supernova, Wizard of Oz, Ghosts and much more. It’s the final episode of the year and I do believe it’s one of my favorites. Chip had me cracking up through out the talk.

See him as he hosts Secret Pants presents: “A Banner Year at the Ol’ Bender House” on 12/23 and see Bing Supernova at the Sideshow Presents: Know When to Leave on 12/28. And be sure to download his comedy album, “Across from the Adonis” from iTunes now.

The Gettin Close podcast is up for this year’s Witout Award for Best Podcast/Web Series. So if you haven’t already voted, head over to witout.net, click the 2013 Witout Awards tab up top and do that. Voting closes on Friday!

As always this podcast is sponsored by Audible.com. Go to AudibleTrial.com/GettinClose for your free audiobook download and a free 30 day trial of the Audible service. They have over 100,00 titles to choose from that work on your smart phones and mp3 players. For each person that does this, I make a little bit. So help a brother out.

The below vidoes are referenced in the podcast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfeL-YqxUsM

youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8YVeMwhDNI

The post Gettin Close with Chip Chantry appeared first on Crossroads Comedy Theater.

Although it was recorded weeks ago, I am finally now posting the Gettin Close episode featuring King Friday! The now former PHIT House Team was great enough to get together and chat about all things Friday. From their birth as 3 Mad Rituals in the 2009 Fringe Festival to the addition/subtraction of various members and how that impacted the team, to their great success on the festival circuit to the last run and shows of the team. I was joined by Fridays from various “eras” talking about their time on the team. Real good conversation that I hope you enjoy.  In the intro I talk about my new kitty, Dog Mountain’s Premiere, Witout Award Nominations a bit and the Roast of friend of the podcast, Brendan Kennedy. Listen, like and share as I get close with King Friday.

*Quick notes I forgot to mention in my afterthoughts of things mentioned during the podcast.

1) I think improv teams should practice as much as possible. Hanging out is certainly helpful, but nothing is a substitute for regular practice under a trained,  outside eye.

2) Although “organic improv” isn’t for everyone, in my experience many that say they don’t like simply haven’t seen it done well, or they themselves are too self conscious to give it 100%, or in some cases, are more interested in getting laughs rather than trusting they will come. Aaaand some just don’t like them.

The post Gettin Close with King Friday appeared first on Crossroads Comedy Theater.