Upright Citizens Brigade storm Asbury Park’s House
Impromptu comedic live theater based on audience particiaption
The Upright Citizens Brigade touring company returns Thursday night to Asbury Park’s House of Independents on Cookman Avenue.
Founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh, UCB’s touring company is comprised of burgeoning comedic talent from its Los Angeles and New York training programs.
The program is based on Del Close’s Chicago-based Improv Olympic’s Longform improvisation. The show in essence is an impromptu live theater showcase. In this case, performers Yoni Lotan , Miller Morgan, Keaton Patti [shown below], and Stefan Schuette will establish plot and characters based on audience interaction. The script and scene are set by a dialogue of banter.
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- Yoni Lotan
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- Miller Morgan
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- Keaton Patti
UCB performers have appeared in Broad City, Saturday Night Live, Silicon Valley, Veep, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, as well as Bridesmaids, The Hangover, and The Heat. Writing room credits include Key and Peele, the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and Inside Amy Schumer.
Before the show hits the House’s stage Thursday we had the chance to interview cast member Stefan Schuette [shown below], 29 of Brooklyn.
Stefan Schuette
Q: Tell me about your history and how you became drawn to comedy”
A: Well, I grew up with a typical suburban life in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. I was always the jokester in school, and I grew up watching a lot of television and movies. The Simpsons, SNL, Late Night, and sitcoms all had a great effect on me. I just knew I wanted to work in comedy.
Q: How did you get involved with UCB?
A: I saw a show there and I loved it. I attended their shows a lot from 2007 to 2010. Then I finally started taking classes in 2011.
Q: What are the highlights?
A: When you do well, you feel like a million bucks!
Q: And the challenges?
A: Dealing with criticism – not everyone’s style is everyone’s cup of tea, so as a performer, understanding that is important.
Also, working hard to improve means failing. Being comfortable with failing is against human nature, so that’s also a factor that can make improv challenging, during one’s development phase.
Q: Can you talk about UCB becoming a regular part of Asbury Park’s vibrant entertainment scene?
A: Well, this is the third show in a matter of months, so we’re excited that the House of Independents keeps asking us back! I’m glad when long-form improv comedy does well outside of its traditional homes simply because it’s newer than traditional sketch or standup. Sometimes people don’t know what to expect!
General admission tickets for tonight’s 8 p.m. show are $20, with the doors opening at 7 p.m. For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit www.houseofindependents.com. For more about UCB visit, www.ucbtheatre.com.
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