Philly Improv Theater Presents Unprecedented Nine Comedy Shows In Fringe Festival

Philly Improv Theater (PHIT) announces that they will have nine shows as part of the 2018 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. PHIT most recently participated in the 2017 Festival in their home at the Adrienne Theater. "We are showcasing many of our longtime performers challenging themselves in new ways. We are also welcoming artists new to the theater to bridge the worlds of alternative and traditional comedy," said Mike Marbach, acting artistic director of the theater.

The Arcane Mysteries of Vanderslice Manor: First, detective Basil Shakingstoke must put his personal life aside to solve a locked-room murder. Then, Thomas Vanderslice puts everything on the line to speak with his father from beyond the pale. Set in Arthur Conan Doyle's London, this curious double feature finds the unexpected in two familiar stories. Noah Levine created and performs "The Brilliant Deductions of Basil Shakingstoke." Adam Cooper created and performs "The Unconventional Seance of Martin Vanderslice III." Shows are September 13 through 15 at 9:30pm and September 15 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. (70 minutes)

Close Your Legs, Honey: A New Musical: She's plucked, sucked and tucked! Pageant wannabe Honey fights an army of glamazons for Grand Supreme glory in a new musical about ugly people in a beautiful world. Created by Hannah Parke & Shamus Hunter McCarty. Shows are September 5 through 8 at 8:30pm, September 8 at 5:00pm, September 14 and 15 at 10:00pm, and September 22 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. (75 minutes)

Only In Your Dreams: From Sarah Clemency, the creator of last year's Fringe hit Becoming Vegan, comes Only In Your Dreams. This magical horror comedy musical is packed with songs that will have you laughing out of fear. Dom, seeking change in her humdrum of a life, finds herself in a fantastical dreamland that quickly becomes a nightmare of a time. Will she be able to escape her own mind? Shows are September 5 through 8 at 7:00pm and September 8 at 3:30pm. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. (60 minutes)

Pillow Talk is The Cambridge Footlights' latest international tour show. Expect free-flowing hilarity from "the most renowned sketch troupe of them all" (The Independent), as they embark on their 2018 world tour, performing to over 20,000 people across two continents. Don't miss your chance to see this inventive new offering from the group that launched many comedy greats, including Stephen Fry, Sue Perkins, David Mitchell, Richard Ayoade and Mel Giedroyc. Showtimes are September 20 and 21 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. (60 minutes)

powerpoints for my friends., a mostly funny but sometimes sad show about friendship, comes from comedian Megan Chialastri. Friendship is weird and hard to define. There is a line that exists somewhere that separates your friends from acquaintances, from family, from significant others. The weight we put on friendships always seems to be less than other relationships in our lives. That's a concept that Megan Chialastri is going to bring down in this one person show exploring anxiety and loss, while using business tools. Showtimes are September 20 through 22 at 9:00pm, as well as September 22 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. (60 minutes)

a PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION of the EFFECTS of OCULAR NEURO-PSYCHOLOGY and its POTENTIAL as an AID in the DISCOVERY of SELF: Your eyes are your window to the world. They are also the world's window to you. Enter a world of seeing your own mind, as Dr. Rhampon Stietger (Fred Brown) - using music to keep time - introduces kinesthetic neuropsychology as a tool to unlock deeply imprinted images, feelings, associations, and fantasies. Showtimes are September 19 through 22 at 7:00pm, and September 22 at 3:30pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. (50 minutes)

REAL AMERICA: American Express Comedy explores the bizarre nature of the nation's current state through a collection of absurd comedy sketches and Real issues. Take a glimpse at some social and historical themes of our great nation through a colored lens as this show redefines what it means to be a "Real American." Showtimes are September 12 through 15 at 8:30pm, and September 15 at 5:00pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. (60 minutes)

Song of My Self-Care: In 1858, famously lofty poet Walt Whitman released an inspirational self-help health-and-beauty book. It was soon after lost to time. Until now. Attend this seated transformational dance party featuring theology, poetry and original electro-pop music. Break a sweat with Jimmy Grzelak, veteran US/Canada fringe festival artist, "a winningly offbeat imagination" (Washington Post), "wunderkind of weird... a force of nature... the eerie spirit child of Brian Wilson and Yma Sumac," (Washington City Paper), and Pittsburgh Fringe National Award winner. Showtimes are September 6 through 8 at 10:00pm, and September 8 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $15. (60 minutes)

VILLAIN is a tragicomedy about Clear Springs, a small Midwestern town that is shaken to its core by the death of the mayor's daughter. Ivo Talaka, who recently emigrated from the little-known country of Villainia, is accused of her murder amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment. Two famous lawyers, orators, and longtime rivals arrive in town to try the case, further stoking resentment between the established townspeople and the Villainian immigrant community. During the explosive trial, the prosecution and defense clash over ideas of law, order, justice, and the definition of a true American. Showtimes are September 12 through 15 at 7:00pm, and September 15 at 3:30pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. (80 minutes)

Tickets for all shows are available through Philly Improv Theater at http://phillyimprovtheater.com/ and also through the FringeArts site http://fringearts.com/

ABOUT PHILLY IMPROV THEATER:

Since its opening in 2005 Philly Improv Theater has been the heart of Philadelphia's rapidly expanding and nationally recognized comedy scene. Philly Improv Theater produces over 1,000 performances annually, with shows on multiple stages, 7 nights a week, every week of the year. Beyond Philadelphia, PHIT's performers tour regularly making appearances at the most prestigious comedy venues across North America. Dedicated to developing talent locally, the Philly Improv Theater Training Center teaches over 1,000 children and adults how to act, improvise, write sketch comedy, and perform stand-up each year. Alumni and performers seen on PHIT's stages have worked on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, 30 Rock, The Late Show, Two and Half Men, Raising Hope, Key & Peele, Kroll Show, The State, Girl Code, Guy Code, Orange is the New Black, and The Kids in the Hall.

ABOUT THE FRINGE FESTIVAL:

The Fringe Festival is a performing arts celebration that takes over Philadelphia every September, boasting hundreds of performances by international, national and Philadelphia-based artists, presented by FringeArts. The city's public and private spaces are filled with a curated series of world-class perfomances and artists independently producing their own work in the true spirit of the international "fringe" movement. The party continues every night with FringeArts' Late Night programming in its beautiful venue on the Delaware waterfront - which houses the La Peg restaurant and bar, as well as an outdoor beer garden with a spectacular view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. This signature event offers an unparalleled opportunity to see a cross section of the world's greatest arts experimenters at one time, in one city.

ABOUT FRINGEARTS:

FringeArts is Philadelphia's home for contemporary performing arts, showcasing arts innovators from around the globe and cultivating worldclass Philadelphia- based artists. FringeArts plays a vital role in Philadelphia's vibrant artistic community by presenting a year-round programming series of cutting-edge dance, theater, and music performances presented at its striking venue on the Delaware waterfront; the annual Fringe Festival which takes over Philadelphia with hundreds of artistically daring and socially engaging performances; and by providing opportunities for Philadelphia artists to develop and showcase new work. FringeArts believes in art making that tests boundaries-inspiring new ideas, passionate discussion and conceptual thinking, all essential for a healthy and vibrant society.

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