Audience to Determine Winning Troupe for Shadowbox Sketch Comedy

The second annual Shadowbox Sketch Comedy Festival is right around the corner! Next Tuesday and Wednesday 7 troupes will go head-to-head in an American Idol-style competition where the
audience decides which sketches go on to the finals and, ultimately, which troupe will reign supreme.

The Panelists
Even though this year the audience is voting, we still plan to have panelists, explains Shadowbox Executive Producer and CEO Stev Guyer. Local NBC 4 Today Weekend Edition anchorwoman Mindy Drayer will be joined by original Saturday Night Live cast member Garrett Morris and Shadowbox writer and performer Julie Klein. All three will comment on each troupes¹ sketches as the audience casts their votes.

The panelists add a wonderful element of surprise throughout the night, said Guyer. Their personalities are reflected in their comments to the troupes and the audience is genuinely interested in their opinions.

Last year Morris and panel-mates Klein and Jerry Eliott (QFM) kept the audience in stitches as they voiced their opinions; good, bad, and ugly. "They (the panelists) were hilarious," recalled audience member Dave Whinham. Just listening to what they Œgot¹ and Œdidn¹t get¹ was not only
insightful but really, really funny!

The Format
The seven troupes will arrive at Shadowbox on Tuesday morning and spend the day working with the Shadowbox technical crew to prepare for the evenings' show. Each troupe will perform one 15-minute segment followed by feedback and commentary from the panelists. The audience will then vote on their favorite sketch from each troupe, determining which sketch will go on to Wednesday's finals.

The troupes and Morris will reconvene on Wednesday morning to put together that night's performance. Each troupe will perform their winning sketch and the audience will then vote on their favorite troupe. In addition to the troupes, Morris will perform with the Shadowbox ensemble in two sketches as well as with house band BillWho?.

"We're really looking forward to the two days," says Guyer. "It gives us that rare chance to perform alongside other troupes who are working in the same genre as us."

Guyer hopes that the festival creates a greater awareness of sketch comedy, not just in Columbus, but across the country. "As the art form continues to evolve, I hope more troupes out there can find their audiences and continue to expand."

The Shadowbox Sketch Comedy Festival will take place at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, July 20 and Wednesday, July 21, 2010. Doors open at 5:45 PM. Tickets are $25 / $15 students, seniors, active military. VIP tables of 8 are available for $300 (includes admission for both nights). For more information and reservations contact the Shadowbox Box Office at 614-416-7625 or go online to www.shadowboxcabaret.com.

The Shadowbox Sketch Comedy Festival is presented by The Revolution

The Revolution presents the 2nd annual Shadowbox Sketch Comedy Festival! Seven troupes from around the country go head-to-head in an American Idol style competition hosted by Shadowbox and original SNL cast member Garrett Morris. The festival includes performances from each troupe, the Shadowbox ensemble, and Garrett Morris, as well as commentary from a panel of local celebrities.

Shadowbox is a performance troupe that self-produces a wide range of shows, performed Thursdays thru Sundays, year-round.

For over 20 years this creative force has produced world-class shows and has made a name for itself with its irreverent sketch comedy and rock Œn¹ roll shows as well as its vibrant musical Theater Productions.

Shadowbox shows blend diverse elements such as comedy, theater, rock Œn¹ roll, dance and video shorts into seamless, fast-paced, high-energy productions. This unique and often surprising entertainment experience is complimented by a bistro-style menu and full bar. Food and beverages are available before the show and at intermission, and are prepared and served by the performers in our eclectic warehouse environment.

Original, creative, fresh, and funny, Shadowbox is what you need!

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