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For the first time in my life, I’m behaving like a proper standup comic.
I’ve been going to open mics a couple times a week rather than a couple times every six months when I need to warm up for a big show, and even with the worst open mic lottery luck of all time — I’ve performed 23rd or later on three of the four nights — my comedy chops are coming back.
However, since I’ve recently been to several in a row, now would be a good time to explain the difference between the Cavern of Whimsy and an open mic. Because there are differences, and they’re substantial:
1. Rather than 23+ standup comics in a row, or 4-5 improv groups in a row, the Cavern of Whimsy is a variety show. VA-RI-E-TY. As the new poster makes plain, this month features an improv group, a standup comic, a dancer, a musician, and an artist performing live. Next month’s show will feature a different dancer, a one-act play (Little Red Feathers, newly re-booked), plus a standup or musician or both. Let’s all say it again: variety.
2. It costs money. $10 at the door or $8 at whimsycavern.brownpapertickets.com. Why? VA-RI-E-TY. Plus a quality theater and FREE DRINKS.
3. Consistently great performers. The system isn’t perfect, but the goal is always to book strong performers that fit that night’s program. Not to disparage the process of picking strangers’ names out of a hat — I love hats — but I put a little more thought into it than that. Very rarely (hint: never) have I booked someone I didn’t believe would deliver the goods.
This month, “Meredith’s Facebook Photos” will perform improv, Yedoye Travis will do standup, HeavenNezCree will dance, and Diego Davidenko will play some original music. (I’m being purposely vague because I plan to write up some extended profiles for each on facebook.com/cavernofwhimsy).
Also…
– A new edition of “SoCal Slideshow Tours,” the segment where I walk around different districts of LA and take photos and we all laugh at them.
– Live art by professional storyboard artist Dan Murphy. He’ll take a suggestion from the audience and craft it into a cinema-style narrative before your very eyes.
And more!
The facts are on the poster, and here:
At 8:30, Monday night, November 3rd, at The Ruby Theatre, inside the double doors at The Complex, on the right, Cavern of Whimsy will begin for a 6th time.
Pre-order tickets on Brown Paper Tickets, or pay $10 cash at the door. Your choice.
Mike Critelli’s Cavern of Whimsy: “not an open mic; a phenomenal show.”
-Mike