Comedy Pigs Set 23rd Season

The Comedy Pigs, Maryland Ensemble Theatre's (MET) side-splitting improv troupe, are returning for their 23rd season with 28 performances featuring short-form improvisation and new sketch shows. Since the Comedy Pigs debuted in 1993, they have performed in over 500 shows, including nationwide improv festivals, have been featured on Comedy Central, and were guests at the National Pork Producers Convention. The upcoming 23rd season promises plenty of laughs at classic favorites and plenty of new material that will have audiences rolling in the aisles.

The Comedy Pigs improv troupe is made up of 10 people; Anne Raugh, Sonny Etzler, Cal Holderbaum, Isabel Duarte, Jeff Schnorr, Jon Paul Duvall, Julia Williams, Laura Stark, Matthew Vance, and Thomas Scholtes. Since day one, the Comedy Pigs have written their own material, which can be experienced on their website as well as at their shows. In their "Meet the Pigs" section they each describe themselves as animals looking to be adopted. For example, when "former sheep model" Laura Stark describes herself as, "A gregarious, precocial, defenseless creature, but don't piss her off or she will shank you in your sleep", audiences are getting a sneak peak of The Pig's organic humor.

The Comedy Pigs will have back-to-back late night shows following "One Man Two Guvnors" this Friday and Saturday September 25th and 26th. However, fans are not the only ones who may need reminding, senior member Anne Raugh said, "Oh my god, is it September already?". The Pigs will be opening their season with their usual melange of short form improv and audience interaction, touching on both the issues of the day and the eternal verities with equal parts irreverence and aplomb. And yes, someone did buy a thesaurus over the summer.

"Seriously, it's SEPTEMBER?" said Raugh. Stay tuned all season to scratch your improv itch, for new videos and sketches from The Comedy Pigs. "Wait, our first show is WHEN?!?" said Raugh. Glad you asked. The first shows of the 2015-2016 season are Friday September 25th and Saturday September 26th, 10:30pm at the MET. Be there, or be as confused as ancient Comedy Pig, Anne Raugh.

To purchase $8 Comedy Pigs tickets, bring a ticket stub from the MET's current Mainstage Performance such as "One Man, Two Guvnors". After the first two performances in September, The Pigs return with shows on October 16 and 17 at 9 p.m. and November 20 and 21 at 9 p.m. The Pigs return to late night with a 10:30 p.m. show on December 12 following the Mainstage performance of "The Gifts of the Magi".

In January, the Pigs will have four 8 p.m. performances on the 22, 23, 29 and 30. Following performances of "Tribes", audiences will have another opportunity to catch the Pigs for half price with ticket stubs on February 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 10:30 p.m. The Pigs then return to prime-time with shows on March 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 9 p.m. On April 15, 16, 29 and 30, you can catch the Pigs performing at 10:30 p.m. following "Oedipus Rox". In May, the Pigs will perform at 9 p.m. on the 13 and 14. Following performances of "Superior Donuts", you can catch the Pigs at 10:30 p.m. on June 10 and 11. The Pigs will wrap up their season with a 9 p.m. show on June 25.

All performances will be at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (31 W Patrick St.), located downtown in the historic FSK Hotel. Tickets may be purchased online at marylandensemble.org, by phone at (301) 694-4744 or at the MET box office.