December Events... Get Ready to Save Christmas

Fun fact, you can see ALL of Ernest Saves Christmas on YouTube for FREE... so soak it up before we enhance it for you.

Two Show Thursday: Thursday Night Troupe & The Ernest of Being Important Comedy Shows
Thursday 12/12 7:30pm $8 All Ages
Two shows for $8! See the hilarious up and coming improv comedy stars of the Thursday Night Troupe as they perform spontaneous games and scenes based on audience suggestions. Followed by The Earnest of Being Important, a dramatically comical reading of Earnest Saves Christmas

The White Elephant Holiday Comedy Show at National Comedy Theatre
Thursday 12/19 7:30pm $8
4 improv comics will face of head to head (to head to head) competing for YOUR laughs at this special, spontaneous, holiday comedy show. The White Elephant Holiday Comedy Show is All Ages, so bring the whole family and squeeze in some laughs together this holiday season!

Christmas Comedy Shows at National Comedy Theatre
Friday 12/20 & Saturday 12/21, 7:30pm & 9:45pm, $12- $14
National Comedy Theatre’s Christmas Comedy Shows will bring you the laughs you’ve been asking Santa for all year! Join us for hilarious and competitive comedy where YOU (the audience) will give out the points! It’s an All Ages event, so bring in all that crazy family you’ve got coming in to town- the cast of comedians at National Comedy Theatre will entertain them so that you don’t have to! Ticket give-a-ways at every show!


Spoof n Cinema Presents Topper Returns
Thursday December 26 7:30pm, $8
A crazy old movie gets a new, hilarious soundtrack live, before your very eyes! Join the cast of comedians from National Comedy Theatre as the 1941 hit movie Topper Returns gets a comedy overhaul. A whole new soundtrack created live, on stage, before your every eyes! New characters, a new plot, new foley and score and more!
Prizes and trivia following the screening provided by Bookmans Entertainment Exchange.,

The New Years Eve Comedy Extravaganza at National Comedy Theatre

Tuesday December 31 9:30pm $29
Comedy! Cake! Champagne! Laugh your way into 2014 at the New Years Eve Comedy Extravaganza at National Comedy Theatre. Start the evening with hilarious Competitive Comedy where NCT’s teams of comedians will go head to head in spontaneous comedy games and scenes. Stick around after the show for delicious deserts and mingle with the cast as we count down to midnight with our Champagne and Cider toast!
This event SELLS OUT every year, so get your tickets early! Seating will be arranged on a first come, first served basis. If you have particular seating requests please call 602-374-5638 when you set up your reservation.

Get tickets online at http://www.nctphoenix.com/showtimes.html

Holy Canoli, its the Holiday Show Lisings!

AND... now through January you can save $2 at any show (except the New Years Eve Extravaganza) by bringing a donation of non-perishable food items! The donations will benefit United Food Bank and families in our community! Use the discount online at www.nctphoenix.com/showtimes.html enter code FOODS

when should you use the discount? How about at these fun holiday comedy shows...

Two Show Thursday
Thursday November 21, 7:30pm, $8

Two hilarious comedy shows in one awesome night! First the Thursday Night Troupe will delight and amaze with games and scenes spontaneously created based on audience suggestions. Then the LongForm Team presents an entire hilarious comedy show based on a single audience suggestion. It's a lot of comedy to take in on a Thursday night!

Pilgrim-Palooza at National Comedy Theatre
Friday 11/22 & Saturday 11/23, 7:30pm & 9:45pm, $12- $14

If the Pilgrims had improv comedy, we are sure they would be very, very thankful for it. Join us at the National Comedy Theatre for PilgrimPalooza, hilarious and spontaneous comedy that will help you laugh away some of the extra calories you’re about to pack in. It’s an All Ages event, so bring in all that crazy family you’ve got coming in to town- the cast of comedians at National Comedy Theatre will entertain them so that you don’t have to!

Level 2 Improv Comedy Workshop and Performance
$175, 6 weeks, Tuesdays 7:00- 9:00pm
Begins Tuesday 11/26 and meets every Tuesday night for 6 weeks at National Comedy Theatre (November session meets 11/26, 12/3, 12/10 and 12/17 with a break for the holidays- resuming on Tuesday 1/7 and 1/14)
Building upon the skills learned in Level 1, this class places a strong emphasis on improvisational technique and individual performance as well as character development and story telling skills.
WIth instruction from dedicated, professional improvisers this class will culminate in a FREE performance for family and friends on the National Comedy Theatre Main Stage.
Level 2 is intended for participants 18 years and older who have completed Level 1.
Please call or email for more information and registration: 602-374-5638 workshops@nctphoenix.com
Additional 6 week Level 2 sessions begin April 1 and July 29.
Dates are subject to change. Check online at www.nctphoenix.com/classes.html and www.nctphoenix.com/events.html for most current listings.

The White Elephant Thanksgiving Comedy Show at National Comedy Theatre
Wednesday 11/27 7:30pm $8

4 improv comics will face of head to head (to head to head) competing for YOUR laughs at this special, spontaneous comedy show. The White Elephant Thanksgiving Comedy Show is All Ages, so bring the whole family and do some laughing to loosen those abs for tomorrow’s feast!


Ha Ha Hanukkah at National Comedy Theatre
Friday 11/29 & Saturday 11/30, 7:30pm & 9:45pm, $12- $14

It’s the Festival of Laughs! Join us at the National Comedy Theatre for Ha Ha Hanukkah, hilarious and competitive comedy where YOU (the audience) will give out the points and NCT’s comedians will have to SPIN THE DREIDEL to see if they get to keep them! We’re also giving away our 8 CRAZY TICKETS at each show. It’s an All Ages event, so bring in all the family you’ve got coming in to town- the cast of comedians at National Comedy Theatre will entertain them so that you don’t have to!

The Midnight Show
Saturday 11/30 at 11:45pm, $8
(17+ NOT ALL AGES)

National Comedy Theatre's UNCENSORED comedy show returns this month at 11:45pm! TWO comedy teams will present no holds barred hilarity for your amusement; NCT's LongForm Team and then special guests FLD Productions will create raucous comedy based on ONE suggestion!

This show is for audiences 17+. There is no "Brown Bag Foul" and ANYTHING GOES.

Two Show Thursday: TNT & LongForm Comedy Shows
Thursday 12/12 7:30pm $8 All Ages

Two shows for $8! See the hilarious up and coming improv comedy stars of the Thursday Night Troupe as they perform spontaneous games and scenes based on audience suggestions. Followed by The Earnest of Being Important, a dramatically comical reading of Earnest Saves Christmas


The White Elephant Holiday Comedy Show at National Comedy Theatre
Thursday 12/19 7:30pm $8

4 improv comics will face of head to head (to head to head) competing for YOUR laughs at this special, spontaneous, holiday comedy show. The White Elephant Holiday Comedy Show is All Ages, so bring the whole family and squeeze in some laughs together this holiday season!

Christmas Comedy Shows at National Comedy Theatre
Friday 12/20 & Saturday 12/21, 7:30pm & 9:45pm, $12- $14

National Comedy Theatre’s Christmas Comedy Shows will bring you the laughs you’ve been asking Santa for all year! Join us for hilarious and competitive comedy where YOU (the audience) will give out the points! It’s an All Ages event, so bring in all that crazy family you’ve got coming in to town- the cast of comedians at National Comedy Theatre will entertain them so that you don’t have to! Ticket give-a-ways at every show!

Spoof n Cinema Presents Topper Returns
Thursday December 26 7:30pm, $8
In 1941 a hilarious mishap led to the accidental murder of a sassy young lady. Unwilling to let it go, her ghost is out to get to the bottom of things! And just when you thought that couldn’t possibly get any more entertaining, the hilarious cast of National Comedy Theatre is creating a whole new soundtrack live, on stage, before your every eyes! New characters, a new plot, new foley and score and more!
Prizes and trivia following the screening provided by Bookmans Entertainment Exchange.,

The New Years Eve Comedy Extravaganza at National Comedy Theatre
Tuesday December 31 9:30pm $29

Comedy! Cake! Champagne! Laugh your way into 2014 at the New Years Eve Comedy Extravaganza at National Comedy Theatre. Start the evening with hilarious Competitive Comedy where NCT’s teams of comedians will go head to head in spontaneous comedy games and scenes. Stick around after the show for delicious deserts and mingle with the cast as we count down to midnight with our Champagne and Cider toast!
This event SELLS OUT every year, so get your tickets early! Seating will be arranged on a first come, first served basis. If you have particular seating requests please call 602-374-5638 when you set up your reservation.

Level 1 Improv Comedy Workshop
$175 6 weeks Tuesdays 7:00- 9:00pm

Begins Tuesday 2/4 and meets every Tuesday night for 6 weeks at National Comedy Theatre
The National Comedy Theatre improv classes are an exciting and fun approach for people from all walks of life: actors, writers, lawyers or plumbers, beginners to experienced performers, the skills we teach can be applied to all areas.
In National Comedy Theatre’s Level 1 Improv Comedy Workshop you will get up on stage and participate in some of the same improv games you see on stage at NCT’s weekly professional performances in a fun, no pressure atmostphere.
Class size is limited. Level 1 is intended for participants 18 years.
Total class fee is $175. $50 deposit is non-refundable and due at registration. Balance is paid prior to beginning of first class session.
For more information or registration please email workshops@nctphoenix.com
or call 602-374-5638
Additional 6 week Level 1 sessions begin June 3, September 23 and November 4.
Dates are subject to change. Check online at www.nctphoenix.com/classes.html and www.nctphoenix.com/events.html for most current listings.

3 Amigos at First Time Film Club
Thursday January 30th, 7:30pm, $8

Join us for The Three Amigos and you will have a plethora of hilarious fun. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Chevy Chase hit the road as three unemployed actors accept an invitation to a Mexican village to replay their bandit fighter roles, unaware that it is the real thing. Furthermore, the infamous El Guapo is not a man to trifle with!
Prizes and trivia follow the screening provided by Bookmans Entertainment Exchange

She Said "Yes!"

This past Sunday we hosted a show that included an elaborate ruse, see... Laura thought she was there to watch a comedy show for her boyfriends company. Slowly it was revealed that the show was all about HER and, in the end, her boyfriend Mike proposed!

Mike & Laura - Proposal Trailer // Something New Media Wedding Videography // Phoenix, Arizona // (602) 730-0478 from Something New Media on Vimeo.

Labyrinth! As the World Falls Down...

Behold, the music video for David Bowie's "As the World Falls Down" from Labyrinth...



Im reasonably certain that David Bowie is making up for the tight pants he wears in the film with the extra wide and fluffy ones he has donned for this video. Although, an arguement could be made that he is wearing at least as much make up, if not more.

And who doesnt want a xerox machine that only prints pictures of David Bowie, am I right?

Come see Labyrinth this Thursday the 17th! Prizes and Trivia sponsored and provide by Bookmans Entertainment Exchange.

Get tickets online for only $8 from National Comedy Theatre

and plan to stick around afterwards for a discussion with our First Timers!

Hi 5! The 5 year Anniversary... What Have We Learned? (if anything)

I thought it might be nice to do some reflecting at a milestone type occasion such as this.
Here are 5 things I think I may have learned in the last 5 years, accidentally or otherwise...

1. Wishes come true, not free. (into the woods)

5 years with open doors and shows every weekend at National Comedy Theatre Phoenix is ACTUALLY more representative of 7 years of hard work and 18 years of practice.

Yikes. Stuff takes work. And work is hard. Is it worth it? I say yes. And that thing that you do, whatever it is, that weird thing that you love so much that you WISH could be the thing you spend your life doing? It CAN BE. And it absolutely SHOULD be... just be aware that at least 18 years of practice and 7 years of hard work will most certainly be involved in the process.

2. Be Excellent to Each Other. (the great ones, Bill S. Preston Esq. and Ted Theodore Logan. Whom together are known as Wyld Stalynz)

Be nice to everyone. Never burn bridges.... bridges are great for gettin' around. And, in our experience, people rarely leave your life for good. Yes, folks come and go. But most of the time people come back to you again in some way or another. One will find many occasions in life to look back and wish they had done things differently, I have not yet found an occasion to look back on life and regret how nice I was... even to people who were not nice back.
I can not recommend being excellent to each other highly enough. With a side of party on, dudes.

3. Say Yes. Add Something. (every improviser ever on earth and possibly other universes or parallell words where improvisation is popular)

People will want to help you, let them. Say yes, and let them add. You almost never get to choose your family, and sometimes you might end up with an uncle or a cousin with whom you don't see eye to eye. Improv teams are like that. Just like your family, find the good in everyone. Everyone adds something to a family... usually. I mean, at least like 80/20- right?
Furthermore, along the lines a lot of projects have come our way and we have said yes, and done the best we could with them. And some were not great and some were kind of disasters, but each thing always led to the next thing. And that's how we ended up with MashTerpiece Theatre, which became Spoof N Cinema and First Time Film Club and brought us into a great relationship with Bookmans Entertainment Exchange. So, I also highly recommend saying YES to life and always ADD the best of yourself to whatever you do. And, party on.

4. Dream Improbable Dreams... Nothing is Unpossible.... The only possible mistake is to do nothing.... (the Doctor, a tee shirt I got online, again- the improvisers)

In workshops and rehearsals we always say, "don't be afraid to fail." Failure is opportunity. Mistakes are opportunity. And, really, if you are GOING to fail, which we all know is inevitable anyway and, really, failure is REALLY just an opportunity, after all- as we discussed... well- knowing all of that... if you ARE going to fail, fail HUGE. Do not merely crash, CRASH and BURN. Blaze of glory... give yourself a really nice BIG opportunity. Right?
We have everything, because we have nothing! The Only regrets we have are the risks we didn't take! Fortune favors the bold! And so on!

In workshops and rehearsals we always say, and I highly recommend applying this idea elsewise in one's life... the only REAL mistake is to do NOTHING.

5. Goonies never say Die... Just Keep Swimming... (the Goonies, the ones never saying die, and Dory, whose quest was to find Nemo)

Of course its hard. Its supposed to be hard. If it was easy everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great. (a league of their own)

The likely hood that, if we go for the above discussed ideas and put something of ourselves out there in the world, you will be- at one time or another- punched in the face by life... is pretty good. The likely hood that life will punch you in the face occasionally is pretty high. Here is the thing though, if you really believe in what you do and whom you do it with and for... getting up again is easy. Working hard is easy. With a basic understanding of leverage and physics, anyone can accomplish anything.

And, party on. Dudes.

For the Feasting of the Eyes: Pictures from Kevin McDonald Workshop & Show

the workshop with Kevin McDonald was amazingly fun and here are some behind the scenes peeks...

...its like he is watching himself give notes... to himself...

And then An Evening of Stand Up and Improv Comedy with Kevin McDonald
our friends Anthony Thornton and Travis Thurman kicked off the stand up comedy

after which Kevin took the stage for some stand up. Fun fact: I sent some of these photos to him and he said, "I look like a college professor whose students told him he was funny so he tried out stand up comedy at an open mic" and we told him we knew a few college professors like that.

and then Kevin joined the cast of NCT and their friends (Dorian Lenz, Krissy Lenz, all the way from San Diego- Greg Rojceweicz, recent winner of Del Close Student of the Year award at I.O. West in Los Angeles- Allsion Reese and the Torch Theatre's Mack Duncan)

we finished off the evening with some Q & A.
A great time had by all!

and, just to cap it all off, we leave you with a treat... you can not avoid the puppies of purgatory!

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

The Biggest Round of Applause Goes TO.... YOU (The Audience!)

Look at all those shiny, happy mugs.
Thank YOU for gettin on stage with us!