The UCB Theatre Announces the 12th Annual Del Close Improv Marathon

July 7, 2010 - PRLog -- THE UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE THEATRE PRESENTS
THE 12TH ANNUAL DEL CLOSE IMPROV MARATHON
3 days of fully Improvised Comedy on 4 Stages!
July 30th  – AUGUST 1st, 2010

July 7th, 2010 – The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre will host “The 12th Annual Del Close Improv Marathon” in tribute to the godfather of improvisation Del Close. The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre has curated a full week of shows to compliment our annual 56-hour Non-stop Marathon.  Performances will be taking place at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, The Hudson Guild Theatre, Urban Stages and the Kate Murphy Amphitheater at F.I.T.  A Weekend pass is available for $25, individual shows at FIT are available for $12 each.  

Del Close was the driving force behind improvisational comedy in Chicago for over 30 years influencing the likes of Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Mike Myers, John Belushi, Chris Farley and the Upright Citizens Brigade. After Del’s passing in 1999 the Improv Marathon was started to celebrate their mentor and keep alive his name and teachings for future generations.  

This year’s Marathon will include performers from 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report sharing the stage with the best comedic improvisers from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington DC, Chapel Hill, Austin, Philadelphia, Raleigh, San Francisco, Montreal, Atlanta, Toronto, Australia and more.

Highlights include Horatio Sanz and the Kings of Improv (featuring Horatio Sanz of Saturday Night Live), THE COLBERT WRITERS: Seize The Mustard, (featuring improvisation by the writers of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report), and Adsit & Gausas (featuring Scott Adsit of NBC’s 30 Rock and Christina Gausas of The Colbert Report & Delocated). This year’s marathon will see the return of UCBT favorites Hot Sauce (featuring Adam Pally of CBS’ Happy Endings & Gil Ozeri of Death By Roo Roo) and Derrick Comedy (featuring Donald Glover of NBC’s Community, DC Pierson and Dominic Dierkes).  Also scheduled to appear throughout the weekend are such UCB Theatre alums as Paul Scheer (FX’s The League, Human Giant), John Lutz (NBC’s 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live), Jason Mantzoukas, Rob Huebel (I Love You Man, Human Giant), and more.  The Marathon will conclude with a special performance of ASSSSCAT at F.I.T.’s Haft Auditorium, featuring members of the Upright Citizens Brigade (Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh).  

On Friday July 30th at 4:30pm, the annual Marathon Press Conference will take place at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.  This year’s press conference will be focused on the life and work of Del Close.  The Upright Citizens Brigade will be speaking extensively about their mentor Del Close, as well as taking questions from members of the press about Close’s continuing influence on the world of comedy.

In addition to the insanity of the Marathon the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre will host a full week of special improvised shows including Chicago’s Baby Wants Candy and Improvised Shakespeare. These shows take place at the Hudson Guild Theatre, please see www.ucbtheatre.com for more info.  
This special week of shows also includes a rare New York City appearance by Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh of the Upright Citizens Brigade. The three will appear in RADIO UNDERGROUND, a live show at the UCB Theatre that will be simulcast live on Sirius/XM Radio. Matt Besser will appear in The Greatest Concert Ever on Thursday, July 29th. This show will also be simulcast on Sirius/XM Radio. Visit www.ucbtheatre.com for details.

“The 12th Annual Del Close Improv Marathon” will run from Friday, July 30th, through Sunday, August 1st, 2010. For information and reservations call the UCB Theatre at 212-366-9176. The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre is located at 307 West 26th Street (at 8th Avenue).  Additional shows will he held at The Hudson Guild Theatre 441 West 26th Street, Urban Stages 259 West 30th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues) and the Kate Murphy Amphitheater at the Fashion Institute of Technology on the corner of 7th Avenue and 27th Street.  For complete event schedules and information visit the UCB Theatre website at www.ucbtheatre.com or the official Del Close Improv Marathon website at www.delclosemarathon.com.