Monday, June 9, 2014

Kevin McDonald is Coming! Again! For More! Movies! Stand Up! Sketch! Q & A and Improv!

 When sketch comedy legend and TV & Film star Kevin McDonald came to visit National Comedy Theatre last fall, he must have had a great time. We did too. And we learned so much. We had a delightful and rewarding workshop, show, Q & A and then hanging out time with Kevin. It was a once in a lifetime experience, for sure.

And now its turning out to be a TWICE in a lifetime experience for us and for YOU (The Audience)

Kevin McDonald is joining us again this July for a movie screening, a workshop and a show!

First up is Brain Candy, the Kids in the Hall's 1996 comedy cult classic. Kevin is going to be there to hang out and watch the movie with us, he is going to show us the rarely seen alternate ending and then hang around for a Q & A with everyone at the show. Its only $12- $14 to enjoy this totally unique experience and tickets are already 1/3 gone! make reservations today

 On Sunday we present Improv into Sketch Workshop... and Show!
Participants will spend the day with Kevin workshopping improvised sketches into comedy gold. Having had the pleasure of this experience once before, I can assure you that it is worthwhile and enlightening for anyone interested in learning more about comedy in general, sketch or improv in particular, and getting one on one feedback from a comedy legend... a very polite, Canadian comedy legend.
The best and most unique part of this experience is that we will perform the sketches we create that evening in a live show, with a real audience, right alongside Kevin McDonald and the cast of National Comedy Theatre!


 If you aren't the comedy performing sort but you still want to get in on the fabulous action, theres something for YOU too! Join us for An Evening with Kevin McDonald! He will present some stand up comedy, then the best of the sketches from the day's workshop, then some improvisation with the cast of NCT! Exciting stuff! And its only $12- $14! Make reservations today!

 You know Kevin McDonald best from the Kids in the Hall sketch comedy troupe, now touring again with the Rusty and Ready Reuinion Tour. You might have also seen him on That 70s Show, Arrested Development, Seinfeld, or Friends. You might recognize his voice from Disney's Lilo & Stitch, Invader Zim or Phinneas & Ferb. You might have enjoyed him in films like Sky High, Epic Movie, or right there at the end of Galaxy Quest. You might also have laughed at some of his work as a writer on Saturday Night Live...
Seriously, guys! Get in on this! Who knows if this twice in a lifetime experience will ever present itself again!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Phoenix Comicon 2014 Features a Whole lot of National Comedy Theatre

I tell you what. June 5-8 is nerd Christmas here in the Valley. Its Phoenix Comicon! This year is going to be a DOOZY! Not only will Nathan Fillian, John Barrowman, Adam West, Stan Lee and Bruce Campbell be there... so will National Comedy Theatre!

Why, we have 5 panels to choose from, more than double what we have presented in years past. Heres where and when you can find us!

Spoof & Cinema Mash Up: CLONE WARS!
Friday, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: North 124b
Spoof & Cinema like you've never seen it! This will feature no holds barred comedy as the hilarious cast of NCT creates new dialogue & sound FX LIVE in front of your very eyes!
who'll be here
  • Andi Oliver
  • Andrew Melnik
  • Anthony Thornton
  • Becca Thornton
  • Francis Zagarrigo
  • Krissy Lenz
  • Paul Broccolo
 
Spoof & Cinema Mash Up: DROIDS!
Sunday, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: North 124b
Join the NCT as they tackle the weird stories of R2D2 & C3P0 in their animated cartoon. Weird humor & new dialogue provided!
who'll be here
  • Andrew Melnik
  • Anthony Thornton
  • Becca Thornton
  • Ellen Lopercio
  • Jordan Collier
  • Krissy Lenz
  • Paul Broccolo
 
Spoof & Cinema Mash Up: EWOKS!
Thursday, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Location: North 124b
Join the NCT as they add their own mixture of humor to bad plots, cheesey acting and crude SFX to Star Wars Universe's Ewoks!
who'll be here
  • Andrew Melnik
  • Anthony Thornton
  • Becca Thornton
  • Ellen Lopercio
  • Jordan Collier
  • Krissy Lenz
  • Paul Broccolo
 
#ShipIt
Friday, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: North 223
Have you ever wanted to talk about your favorite pairings? Do you ever wonder if there is something better? Come join the Mahou Shoujo Defense Force and set sail for your favorite ships and we'll tell you why there's something better.
who'll be here
  • The Mahou Shoujo Defense Force (4 panelists)
 
Location: North 124a
It's Star Trek: the Animated Series like you've never seen it before, because the hilarious cast of National Comedy Theatre is taking out all the sound and replacing it with new, hilarious dialogue, sound effects and more.
who'll be here
  • Andrew Melnik
  • Anthony Thornton
  • Bob Caplan
  • Krissy Lenz
  • Paul Broccolo
 
10 Must See Doctor Who Stories
Thursday, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Location: North 121bc
Considering it has been named the "Longest Running Science Fiction Television Program", Doctor Who has a multitude of fascinating stories to choose from. Join our Whovian Experts as we discuss The Top 10 Must See Doctor Who Stories!
who'll be here
  • Chris Swanson
  • Courtney Lovejoy
  • Gavin Hazeldene
  • Katie Reilly
  • Melanie Hazeldene
 
Spoof N Cinema: Doctor Who
Saturday, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: North 121bc

The Spoof N Cinema crew from National Comedy Theatre have hijacked Dr Who! Complete with all new, hilarious dialogue, plot, sound effects and more! Prizes & Trivia following the episode provided by Bookmans Entertainment Exchange and National Comedy Theatre!
who'll be here
  • Andrew Melnik
  • Bob Caplan
  • Francis Zagarrigo
  • Jordan Collier
  • Krissy Lenz
  • Paul Broccolo
 
IF you shall be in attendance, kindly add us to your conquest and come see the shows! Say "Hi!" when you see us walking around the exhibit hall, if you can pick us out from the crowd of 90,000 people! 
 

Friday, May 23, 2014

The High School League Tournament 2014 in Pictures

Every year the High School Improv League Tournament is a highly anticipated event. This year was no exception, with 8 schools coming from all across the Valley bringing their teams of High School Improvizeers to show off what they have learned this year for a team of professional improv judges.
 For some of the kids participating this was their first year at Tourney. For some, who spent their whole high school career participating in the National Comedy Theatre's High School Improv League, this would be the last Tourney to compete in.... an exciting and happy day.

Perry, Basha, Campo Verde, Horizon, Centennial, Willow Canyon, Agua Fria and Liberty High Schools all attended and participated.

And action packed, as always. Here we see Centennial High School's Plan B Improv Team in action.


This team, "And... Scene!" from Willow Canyon participated for the first year in 2014!

The big award for the day went to the Perry High School Perrywinkles as High School Improv League Champions. The judges felt their improv skills were sharp and strong, and their heart, teamwork and showmanship won everyone over and they took home the Championship trophy, signed the wall of fame and then performed with our Main Stage team on Friday May 16th. Congratulations, Perrywinkles!
 We started some new traditions this year. After all, the High School Improv League and the Tournament are always growing, changing and becoming awesomer.
This year we had a team of High School League Alums perform and keep everyone entertained during our intermission, while the judges deliberated and added up scores. Mike Warner is a National Comedy Theatre Main Stage professional improviser and graduate of Horizon High School and their 56th St Comedy Team. Alex Mattingly, a Thursday Night Troupe performer at NCT, Ryan Usher and Caleb Colson are all graduates of the High School Improv League from Horizon's 56th St Comedy Club. 
 Another new tradition this year, the beloved Franken Trophy (awarded to the runner up team) would not be built by the League coaches & administrators, but rather by the team that one it last year, thereby passing the torch with positivity and enthusiasm. The Perrywinkles were last year's FrankenTrophy runners up, and they did not dissapoint with this amazinly huge FrankenTrophy. It was taken home this year by close runners up, Horizon High Schools 56th St Comedy Club!
 Here are the Champs from Perry High, the runners up from Horizon High, their teachers Shawna Marquis and Elizabeth Orr. Oh, and me! Krissy Lenz, Coach to both teams.
 Here we see Juliet signing the wall of fame in the NCT Green Room.
It was an exciting and positive year. We cant wait to add more schools, more teams, more new students, more coaches and more judges to next years High School Improv League and Tournament!

If you would like to learn more about National Comedy Theatre's High School Improv League go ahead and contact Head Coach and League Administrator Krissy Lenz: 602-374-5638 krissy@nctphoenix.com

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

The Events.... They're, They're.... They're Upcoming!!!!



Here's whats on the dockett! It starts this THURSDAY!


Level 2 Improv Comedy Showcase
Thursday May 8, 7:30pm FREE All Ages

The crew of National Comedy Theatre’s Level 2 Workshop have been learning improv skills and honing their performance abilities for 12 weeks… now they want to show them off for YOU (the Audience!) Its FREE to come support them with your suggestions and laughs and the show is open to all ages.

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



Mama-Rama
Friday & Saturday May 9 & 10    7:30pm & 9:45pm
$14- $12 Moms Save $2!
Everyone saves the drama for their Mama… National Comedy Theatre suggests you save some comedy too! At Mama-Rama Competitive Comedy Shows the whole family can laugh along with the hilarious, interactive comedy created spontaneously just for you!
And Moms save $2! Just make reservations online at www.nctphoenix.com/showtimes.html and use coupon code MAMA. 

Two Show Thursday
Featuring Thursday Night Troupe & High School Improv League All Stars!
Thursday 5/15,  7:30pm   $8   All Ages

Two Show Thursday slaps ya with two awesome comedy shows for just one ticket price! Shows are all ages and YOU (the audience) get to participate by shouting suggestions and more!

At this month's Two Show Thursday our second act will be the best of the best of this year's High School Improv League. Each of our 9 participating schools across the Valley will send their best and brightest to represent them in the All Star Showcase!

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

Level 1 Improv Comedy Workshop
$175 6 weeks Tuesdays 7:00- 9:00pm
Begins Tuesday 6/3 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. ***February Level 1 SOLD OUT, so please do not hesitate to reserve your spot today***

Additional 6 week Level 1 sessions in 2014 September 23 and November 4, 2014.
Dates are subject to change. Check online at www.nctphoenix.com/classes.html and www.nctphoenix.com/events.html for most current listings.

Cheesy Tie Weekend for Fathers Day
Friday & Saturday June 13 & 14 7:30pm & 9:45pm
All Ages $12- $14 * save $2 when you wear a CHEESY TIE, the CHEESIEST TIE could win a prize package
Bring Dad and the whole family to laugh out loud at the hilarious, spontaneous, interactive comedy show for all ages at National Comedy Theatre. Save $2 on admission when you wear your CHEESY tie, you know- the kind your Dad has so MANY of- the CHEESIEST tie of the night could win a ticket package!
Make reservations online at www.nctphoenix.com/showtimes.html enter code TIE for your discount, but don’t forget to wear your CHEESY tie!

Kids Improv Camp & Performance
$150
Ages 7-11     June 16-20  12-2:00pm Monday- Friday, SHOW on Friday at 2:15pm
Kids are amazingly creative and spontaneous. National Comedy Theatre’s Improv Comedy Camp will teach them to hone their creative energy into team work, listening skills, trust and self confidence through fun, no pressure improv games. The 5 day camp will cap off with a half hour show on the last day of camp.
Discounts are available for kids that sign up with a friend. Class size is limited and summer kids camp tends to sell out so get your spot today!
National Comedy Theatre’s award winning and critically acclaimed improv comedy shows and classes have been taught and performed all over the country and the world. NCT’s instructors have years of teaching experience and performance training. www.nctphoenix.com
 To inquire or register please email workshops@nctphoenix.com or call 602-374-5638
Tween & Teen Improv Comedy Camp &  Performance
$150
Ages 12- 15   June 16- 20   3:00pm- 5:00pm   Monday- Friday, SHOW on Friday at 5:15
For tweens & early teens who want to learn some super fun and totally positive improv comedy. National Comedy Theatre’s Improv Comedy Camp will teach kids to hone their creative energy into team work, listening skills, trust and self confidence through slightly more challenging improv games and exercises. The 5 day camp will cap off with a half hour show on the last day of camp.
Discounts are available for kids that sign up with a friend. Class size is limited and summer camp tends to sell out so get your spot today!
To inquire or register please email workshops@nctphoenix.com or call 602-374-5638

Teen Improv Music & Genre Intensive
$175
Ages 12- 17   June 23- 27   12:00- 2:00pm   Monday- Friday
Teens with a little bit of improv experience will find a fun and exciting challenge in National Comedy Theatre’s Music & Genre Intensive. In this class we will explore the elements of musical improv games & exercises as well as individual genres such as Shakespeare, western, sci-fi and more.
Discounts are available for kids that sign up with a friend. Class size is limited and summer camp tends to sell out so get your spot today!
To inquire or register please email workshops@nctphoenix.com or call 602-374-5638

Spoof N Cinema: Sci-Fi Surprise!
Thursday June 19, 7:30pm FREE All Ages


It’s a Spoof N Cinema Surprise! You’ll be treated to a full 60 minutes of sci-fi hilarity where really old, really bad cartoons get new comedy make overs complete with dialogue, sound track and more! This FREE event only comes around once a year so don’t miss it, make a reservation today at www.nctphoenix.com/showtimes.html

Join us for these special events and more! 

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Splash! With Glitter Tattoos!

If I have one super power it is that I can watch a movie I really enjoy over and over again and still get as much joy out of it as the first time, sometimes more. Hence, the mission of First Time Film Club to make sure that everyone gets a chance to see the best movies ever.

Splash fun facts!

It seems like just about EVERY 80s movie star passed on the role of Alan Bauer before it got to Tom Hanks.Michael Keaton, Chevy Chase, John Travolta (you'll do Look Whose Talking but not Splash? Really John?) Bill Murray, Dudley Moore, Jeff Bridges, Richard Gere, Kevin Kline and Burt Reynolds all passed. Can you picture Splash with Burt Reynolds? Yikes.

Same goes for the role of Madisson. Tatum O'neil, Michelle Pfeiffer, Julia Louis Dryfus, Melanie Griffith, Diane Lane, Kathleen Turner, Sharon Stone, Jodie Foster, Rosanna Arquette and Brooke Sheilds all said no before Daryl Hannah came on board. Bonus, Splash is credited with originating the name Madisson, which is now one of the most popular girls names ever!

Now lets all picture Splash starring Burt Reynolds and Sharon Stone... shiver.

Also, Daryl Hannah refused to eat real lobster (shes a vegetarian) and so the lobster shells were filled with tofu... she still cried after each take because the lobsters still had to die for their shells.

John Candy nailed the raquet ball to the head scene, literally, in one take.

And, just for fun: Eugene Levy
Join us for Splash! 
We'll be giving out Leis and adorning you with free glitter tattos!
Bookmans has provided more great prizes!

Thursday April 24 at 7:30
Saturday April 26 at 1:30
only $8!
www.nctphoenix.com/showtimes.html 

Monday, April 7, 2014

What the Heck is the Pay What You Want Hi 5 Benefit Show?

That's an excellent question. My, you are an inquisitive and alert individual!

The Pay What You Want Hi 5 Benefit Show!
Sunday April 13, 2:00,  All Ages and you PAY WHAT YOU WANT!
All of the proceeds will go to the Hernandez family to aid in their quest to have a family.

Still seems mysterious... let's break it down...

Pay What You Want.
This simply means that the sticker price for this Comedy Show is up to you. If you want to kick in 5 bucks because its the Hi 5 Comedy Show and that seems like a nice round number, fair enough. You can pay $5 and enjoy the show. If you want to kick in $8, which is the traditional cost of our non-Competitive Comedy fare, great. If you want admission to be $12 for Students and Seniors and $14 for adults because, well, that's what your used to and you're a creature of habit, set in your ways and unlikely to change ever again... ok. You can pay a dollar. You can pay $37.50. You can do the three easy payments of 9.99 plus shipping and handling... its up to you!
Every dollar you contribute will benefit the Hernandez family in their quest to have a family of their own.

Hi 5 Comedy Show.
We're putting 5 different acts on stage to delight, amuse, bewilder and enchant you.

Benefit for the Hernandez Family
As you may know, NCT Directors Dorian & Krissy Lenz have 2 beautiful children that they love and adore to infinity and beyond. Johanna & Michael are Dorian's cousins and they reached out to the family requesting whatever aid could be given in their quest to have a child of their own in spite of overwhelming difficulty, odds and costs.
So, Dorian, Krissy, NCT and even our friends from the Torch Theatre in Phoenix are contributing what we can.... which is comedy.
The idea is that we can all get together, have a great time and laugh and maybe be inspired to help out two wonderful people bring more love into the world. Yeah?

You can read more about Johanna and Michael and their story by clicking Here.

Oh, and Johanna is making some delicious artisan cupcakes too. Don't forget the cupcakes... there will be cupcakes.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Voyage Trekkers Live! From the Web, to the Big Screen and on Stage!

Guys, have you seen the amazing and award winning and all around awesome web series Voyage Trekkers?

Voyage Trekkers is a comedy web series about the worst starship crew in the Galactic Union.  Lead by the charismatic but self-centered Captain Sunstrike (Adam Rini), with the help of the unfazed first officer Commander Powell (Logan Blackwell), and the exasperated Doctor Rena (Gabrielle Van Buren), they seek to climb their way up the space adventure ladder.

Well, you can watch the series online, which I highly recommend...  but I also really REALLY highly recommend that you check out Voyage Trekkers Live at National Comedy Theatre on Thursday April 10th!

Not only will we be showing you a couple of our favorite episodes, we will also have the real life Commander Powell and Doctor Rena here with us for an improvised epsiode that YOU (The Audience) will get to take part in!

We've never done anything like this before and we are really looking forward to the collaboration with the Voyage Trekkers gang. Some of the episodes were even filmed right here at NCT!

its only $8 to see improv slash web series history in the making.... AND the proceeds are all going toward the making of Voyage Trekkers: The Movie!

 Get tickets HERE!