Podcasts more than blogging for people too lazy to write PODCASTS, continued from p. 24
PHOTO BY LINDSEY BOURQUE
ative people I have had the joy of performing with. He also hosts the long-running monthly storytelling show at UCB, “Nights of Our Lives.” Seven years ago, the original impetus was to have a place for improvisers at the UCB to try their hands at storytelling, and the show quickly grew to encompass stand-ups, writers and, of course, storytellers. Each installment of “Nights” revolves around a theme, with four storytellers and David as the host, who presents a monologue up top. An absurd and inspired take on the theme, it’s always completely originally and very funny — the kind of funny that makes you think, “I don’t know how this guy’s brain works, but I love it.” The performers follow, each telling a true story that fits the theme. The “Nights of Our Lives” podcast is hosted on Breakthru Radio (Breakthruradio.com), which re-broadcasts the show in its entirety. Scanning the “Nights” podcast library, you’ll recognize many names — but be on the lookout for Curtis Gwinn, to hear him close out the show after drinking an entire bottle of red wine, or “Nights” staple Adam Wade, regaling the crowd with his tale of food sickness and crapping between two PATH train cars. Seasoned UCB stars John Flynn and Anthony Atamanuik are regulars on the Los Angeles chapter of the show, but spare yourself the JetBlue fare. They can be enjoyed here in New York between your ears. The “Nights of Our Lives” live show happens monthly at the UCB Theatre (307 West 26th Street). The November 20 show’s theme is “Failure.” On Dec 18, the theme is TBA (but it will definitely be something high-risk and holiday related). If you’re wondering if the average storyteller has a face made for podcasting, think again and navigate to “Geeking Out.” It’s
Frequent Moth Slam host David Crabb and visual artist Cammi Climaco are the dynamite, albeit unlikely, duo behind “Ask Me Stories.”
not only a comedy storytelling show, but also a web series. The show brings together a collection of writers, comedians, storytellers and actors for a night of shameless nerding out over the bands they love, the celebrities they obsess over and the video games that gave them thumb spasms. Think nostalgia meets storytelling. Most of the stories also involve a visual component, be it a PowerPoint presentation, sketch, or relevant costuming — whatever they need to properly represent their super fandom. Kerri Doherty started Geeking Out as an outlet for her own obsessions (“The Golden Girls” being one of them), and wanted to create an environment where her fellow comedy/storytelling friends and could get up onstage and talk about their guilty pleasures. Soon after, she created the “Geeking Out” web series, which included the live show, plus awkward celebrity interviews, pop culture news, sketches and vlogs. As you can imagine, a show of this nature is
filled with great moments. One of Kerri’s favorite was convincing Matthew Gubler from CBS’s “Criminal Minds” to dance with her Boyz II Men’s “I’ll Make Love to You” while dressed in prom attire. “Geeking Out” is monthly, 8:30pm, at Union Hall (702 Union Street, Brooklyn). The next show, on December 3, features Jason Zimbler (actor, “Clarissa Explains it All”), Steve Heisler (writer for The AV Club and Vulture), Mara Herron (comedian, seen on VH1 and Comedy Central), and The Vigilante (an improvised Comedy Band that’s performed at The Brooklyn Comedy Festival). In 2009, Happy Ending Lounge in the Lower East Side put a call out to find a new monthly show and Sarah Brown, the creator of Cringe, recommended Blaise Allysen Kearsley. At the time, Blaise was working on a personal essay about how she learned about sex — so she pitched “How I Learned” and produced her first show less than three weeks later. On ev-
ery show, Blaise and the performers muse about How They Learned…something (like to find happiness, lie, cheat, steal or conquer failure). I have been to this show many times, and each time it was a packed, standing room only crowd that would be lit on fire as the show progressed. There are a couple of important things to note about Blaise’s series. One is that storytellers are permitted to read, if that’s how your material is served best — which means it also draws a lot of brilliant writers. Second, it is currently in search of a new home. Sadly, after producing there for five years, this former Broome Street massage parlor turned lounge, music venue and performance space, closed it’s doors. Let’s hope its next incarnation isn’t a Chase Bank (but I wouldn’t make that bet). However, Blaise’s show will be back. It’s too good to go — and in the meantime, thanks to technology, you can enjoy the podcast. The “How I Learned” series is monthly. Venue TBA. As I was doing my research and inquiring to a few of my other favorite storytelling shows as to whether they podcast, a couple of the producers replied with a sigh, “No. I never did that. I probably should have. Do you think it’s too late to start?” Clearly, I know nothing when it comes to digital trends — but I can say with confidence that I’m so glad these people decided to plug a microphone into their laptop and press record. And yes, I know it doesn’t really work like that. Ophira Eisenberg is a standup, storyteller and host of NPR and WNYC’s trivia comedy show, “Ask Me Another.” Live tapings take place at The Bell House almost every week (amatickets.org). It is also available as a podcast on iTunes, Stitcher and TUNE-IN. She is the author of “Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy” (Seal Press).
Theater for the New City • 155 1st Avenue at E. 10th St. Reservations & Info (212) 254-1109 For more info, please visit www.theaterforthenewcity.net
SAMANTHA AND THE GLASS CEILING Written by TOM ATTEA Directed by MARK MARCANTE Music Composed by ARTHUR ABRAMS Choreography by ANGELA HARRIELL
Thursday - Sunday Nov 7 - Dec 1 Thu-Sat 8pm, Sun 3pm All Seats $10, tdf@9
the cell’s production of
AN AMERICAN FAMILY TAKES A LOVER Written by AMINA HENRY Directed by KIRA SIMRING
THREE OF A KIND WITH TWO WILDCARDS Written & Directed by BOB HOMEYER
Wednesday - Sunday Nov. 20 - Dec. 1
Wed - Sat at 8pm Thursday - Sunday Sun at 3pm & 8pm November 7 - 17 (No Perf. Thursday, 11/28) Thu-Sat 8pm, Sun 3pm All Seats $15 All Seats $15 $10 Studt’s/Sr’s tdf@$9
TNC’s Programs are funded in part by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts
TheVillager.com
November 14, 2013
25