Main Stage

Sunday June 1st, 2008

6 PM - THE FUNNIEST ONE IN THE ROOM The Lives and Legends of Del Close book panel w/ author Kim "Howard" Johnson
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Join THE FUNNIEST ONE IN THE ROOM The Lives and Legends of Del Close author Kim "Howard" Johnson for a reading and signing, as well as a panel of Del Close's friends and comedy contemporaries taking your questions on Close's life and career.

The Panel:

• From The Committee Peter Bonerz, Howard Hesseman, Ed Greenberg, Julie Payne, and Jim Cranna.
• From Second City Danny Breen, Larry Coven, Jim Staahl, and more.
• Also Joel Murray, Bob Odenkirk, David Koechner.

8:00 PM - There Will Be Improv / Ditka
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
There Will Be Imrpov: Improv, oil, life.

Cast: Colton Dunn, Jim Woods, Susannah Becket, Eric Appel, Chris Kula, Alan McCloud, Sarah Burns, Drew Difonzo Marks

DITKA is long form improvisation featuring Brian Gallivan, Maribeth Monroe, Marc Warzecha, and Frank Caeti. DITKA's credits include: MADtv, Reno 911, NBC's Thank God you're Here, According to Jim, The Second City Mainstage, The Second City etc, The Second City Detroit, The Second City Las Vegas, io, io west, ComedySportz, and Improv Asylum. DITKA is pleased to be headlining the upcoming Chicago Improv Festival.

Starring: Maribeth Monroe, Marc Warzecha, Frank Caeti, Brian Gallivan


9 PM - How We First Met
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
"A National Phenomenon" - Oakland Tribune
"Amazing & Addictive" - SF Bay Guardian
"Crazy Love!" - The Wall Street Journal

Love in all its hilarious glory is the topic of this "national phenomenon" (Oakland Tribune) improvised comedy show. In a "romantic night of improv" (Contra Costa Times), audience couples are interviewed live about how they met, their first kiss and other details about their love story. The show is then "off the cuff and into true love" (Herald Sun) as they watch their most private moments re-enacted to the delight of the audience.

HOW WE FIRST MET began as a one-time Valentine's Day show in San Francisco on February 14, 2001. Audience response was overwhelming and since then, HOW WE FIRST MET has played in seventeen cities and five countries. The show has featured all kinds of people from married 50 years to dating 3 weeks, straight, gay, widows, transgender, conservative, liberal all celebrating the comedy and romance of a crazy little thing called Love. Visit their website at www.howwefirstmet.com.

Cast: Jill Bourque, Sarah Delaney, Paul Erskine, Scott Keck, Joel Micucci, Bob Mitchell, Damon Paiz

10 PM - Big News
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Big News is Los Angeles' longest-running topical sketch comedy show. Pulled straight from the headlines, Big News produces a brand new show every week featuring some of the best talent in writing and performing that L.A. has to offer. Big News is often described as SNL meets The Daily Show live on stage. Currently boasting 278 original hour long episodes, Big News can been seen in front of packed houses at I.O. West every Sunday at 10pm. In addition to the weekly stage show Big News has done a number of videos which have appeared on MSNBC's Count Down with Keith Olbermann, Fox News, and Funnyordie.com. For any further information you can check Big News out on the web at www.bignewsreport.com

Directed by Michael Hughes

Cast: Christopher Biewer, Kipleigh Brown, Sean Cowhig, Susan Deming, Neil Garguilo, Jason Kelley, Gregg Lopez, Matt Moore, Melissa Okey, Artemis Pebdani, Phillip Wilburn

Special Guest: John Fugelsang

11 PM - Main Stage Sketch Show: 3's Company, 4's A Conglomerate
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
The iO West's Mainstage Sketch Players are proud to present their sixth revue: "Three's Company, Four's a Conglomerate." The show is a series of sketches that tells the story of a business expo that descends upon the Los Angeles Convention Center. Careers, marriages, and love are all on the line when the "Suits" take over L.A.

Directed by Doug Karo.

Cast: John Abbott, George Caleodis, Sean Cowhig, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Matt Lageman, John Druska, Rachael Kimsey

Monday June 2nd, 2008

8 PM - The Armando Show w/ The Cast of Reno 911! (Carlos Alazraqui, Kerri Kenney, Robert Ben Garant, Denise Nash)
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
The Armando Show begins with one suggestion from the audience, which is then interpreted by that night's Armando (frequently a celebrity guest) through a personal and truthful improvised monologue.

Inspired by that monologue, a cast composed of veteran Chicago and Los Angeles alumni perform scenes which, in turn inspire a response from Armando. This propels hilarious interchanges between Armando's monologues and the company's scenes.



Cast: Dave Hill, Josh DuBose, Frank Caeti, Craig Cackowski, Miles Stroth, Jean Villepique, Thomas Lennon



9 PM - God Squad / KOALA
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
"A group of veteran improvisors, God Squad takes the suggestion of an interesting location/event where a large group of people might be. From that one suggestion they weave together a fast paced story taking characters from that world and spinning out into others."

Cast: Josh DuBose, Ryan Gaul, Arden Myrin, Dana Powell, Rob Reinis, Douglas Sarine, Chris Tallman

You've seen them in movies, television and commercials now watch them perform Long-form improv that is just as sweet as their cute name. KOALA play an organic long-form that connects in ways that they will not know until it is unleashed in front of your very eyes, but one thing they do know...It will be awesome!

Cast: Nick Armstrong, Steve Berg, James Bonadio, Ryan Gaul, Scott Gimple, Dan McNeill and Gareth Reynolds



10 PM - Dasariski
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Three person Improv that is so good, they somehow included all the performers names in the title.


This month at the IO, magic will grace the stage as these seasoned performers destroy your pre-conceived notions of what long-form improv is, where it can go, and who can do what character the best.



Starring: Craig Cackowski, Robert Dassie, Rich Talarico


11 PM - Mission: Control / Foster Kids Puppet Prov
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Mission Control: Brian Gallivan is relaxed and fun! It's true! He has finally found a way to maintain complete control of his desire to control everything! He has also perfected his ability to allow for imperfections in his life! Fun! Yeah! Oh God, please come to this show. It has to be perfect. Written & Performed by Brian Gallivan. Directed by Eric Hunicutt.

What's funnier than Improv with Puppets? Um, is that a trick question?

No! It's Foster Kids featuring a host of furry, felty friends, doing a Puppet Harold for the 6th Annual LosAngeles Improv Comedy Festival. Join the Kids as they discover what life is like when they look at itthrough plastic, googly eyes. Caution: may contain crude jokes about where someone'sleft hand is...Foster Kids perform every Wednesday 8:00 p.m. at iO West.

Cast: BJ Averell, TW Allen, Joy Allen, Irene White, Ben Siemon, Kristy Nolen, Nick Armstrong, Jordon Krain, Nick Bush

12 AM - Cage Match Competition: Kick Drum Decade VS The Lusty Horde
FREE
Kick Drum Decade: Christopher Alvarado, Emanuel Borria, Ryan Bradley, Daniel Hartley, Genevieve Jones, Cheryl Monterosso, Darren O'hare, Sunny Peabody, Justin Uretz

The Lusty Horde: Dave Park, Andy Trask, Kim Jennings, Brendon McCloughlin

Tuesday June 3rd, 2008

8 PM - The Armando Show w/ Drew Carey
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
The Armando Show begins with one suggestion from the audience, which is then interpreted by that night's Armando (frequently a celebrity guest) through a personal and truthful improvised monologue. Inspired by that monologue, a cast composed of veteran Chicago and Los Angeles alumni perform scenes which, in turn inspire a response from Armando. This propels hilarious interchanges between Armando's monologues and the company's scenes.

Cast: Mo Collins, Dave Hill, Craig Cackowski, Ed Lee, Mike Coleman, Jason Pardo, Joe Canale, and Molly Erdman

9 PM - The Crazy Uncle Joe Show
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
"The Crazy Uncle Joe Show" has been called "a particle accelerator of extremely clever improvised ideas." The cast takes a few basic suggestions from the audience, improvises three beginning scenes and then just spins off from there. Scenes jump from one to another in a rapid fire dynamic that fuels itself. Sometimes following the narrative, sometimes popping off in non-linear directions, Crazy Uncle Joe keeps it fast and funny.

Cast: Roy Jenkins, Jordan Black, Stephanie Courtney, Brian Palermo, Mike Loprete, Matt Winston, Annie Sertich


10 PM - Kind Stranger presents: Improvised Tennessee Williams / The Mighty Stumps
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
The Kind Stranger players improvise a new play inthe style of Tennessee Williams: complete with all the heat, booze andsexual tension. Bring a fan and enjoy the show.

Directed by Andy Goldblatt.

Cast: Jill Alexander, Nick Armstrong, Brandon Barrick, Zach Huddleston, Erin McGathy, Jessica Young, Steve Greene

The Mighty Stumps improvise a four act Chekhov play so tragic it will make you laugh!

Directed by: Carla Snowden

Cast: Judith Shelton, Stephen C. James, Katie Hill, James Mastrioanni, Mike McLendon




11 PM - GOAL!
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Goal! is an improv ensemble made up of veteran performers from the IO West Theater who challenge themselves to make new, unique choices while still doing the Harold to the best of their combined ability. Falling back on their substantial experience they play with only one rule: go with whatever happens. Off of their latest hiatus, this is one show you won't want to miss!

Goal! was honored with The Best Harold Award at the 2007 Del Close Awards. While they individually perform in dozens of shows and teach many students each week, they also can be seen in multiple commercials, television shows and films. These folks are busy, but they're really happy to get a chance to play together. Goal! is Craig Cackowski, Karen Graci, Dave Hill, Eric Hunicutt, Marion Oberle (+1), Dana Powell, Doug Sarine, Rob Smith and Chris Tallman.

12 AM - Cage Match Competition: Convoy VS Cheese
FREE
Convoy: Alex Fernie, Alex Berg, Todd Fasen

Cheese: Jason Kelley, Bob Levitan, Jenn Winters, Lindsay Ravage, Beccy Guiley, Jeff Ash

Wednesday June 4th, 2008

8 PM - The Armando Show w/ The Cast of The Real World Hollywood
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
The Armando Show begins with one suggestion from the audience, which is then interpreted by that night's Armando (frequently a celebrity guest) through a personal and truthful improvised monologue. Inspired by that monologue, a cast composed of veteran Chicago and Los Angeles alumni perform scenes which, in turn inspire a response from Armando. This propels hilarious interchanges between Armando's monologues and the company's scenes.

Cast: Irene White, James Grace, Dave Hill, Miles Stroth, Seamus McCarthy, Kim Garr, Brandon Sornberger, Sarah Haskins, Derek Miller

9 PM - Ten West
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
TEN WEST is the Los Angeles-based comedy duo of Jon Monastero & Stephen Simon, directed by Bryan Coffee. With a unique theatrical style of comedy inspired by clowning, vaudeville, and Commedia dell'Arte, the pair has received standing ovations and critical acclaim around the nation and Canada. "The two-man clown show is a wacky Dadaist trip.... all very goofy, giddy, funny and executed with infectious charm." - L.A. Weekly "GO!" Pick. "...inspired lunatics...absurd practical jokes, wild improvisations, comic deceptions and farcical battles of will...highly endearing...performed with flair and terrific, Saroyanesque charm." - Backstage West Critic's Pick

Website: http://www.tenwest.net

Cast List: Jon Monastero, Stephen Simon

Directed by Bryan Coffee

10 PM - Be Frank / Red Bicyclette
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
The ensemble behind the 2006 NYC International Fringe Festival's "Outstanding Musical," Be Frank formed in 2004 out of a desire to take improvisational theater to another level. This three-person troupe has studied at the famous Second City Chicago, iO Chicago (formerly Improv Olympic), and the Annoyance. Be Frank has performed at colleges, theaters, and comedy festivals across North America.

Be Frank's three members create worlds and explore them in their new show, Bogglego. Starting with a handful of seemingly chaotic one-person scenes, this original form begins in a set location such as a submarine or football field. Throughout the show, characters established at the outset interact with each other and make sense of the chaos.

Cast: Alex Fox, Andy Hobgood, Dan Jessup

Red Bicyclette is a long-form improv team that will take a single suggestion from the audience and blast off into an improvised journey of enchantment, drama, laughter, imagination, joy, triumph and tears. When you're along for the ride, when Red Bicyclette is your co-pilot, anything can happen.... anything!

Cast: Joy Allen, Brendan McLoughlin, Derek Miller, Scott Palmason, Norm Thoeming, Charlie Weirauch, Shulie Cowen, and Chris Marrs

11 PM - Heather & Miles
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Heather snuck out of her parents house and into the ImprovOlympic (now IO) when she was 15 years old. Miles served her her first drink. Fourteen years later they finally hooked up for "Heather and Miles," a fast paced, hour long, improvised long-form based on a single audience suggestion.

So different, so alike, Heather and Miles deliciously compliment each other like liquor and sex.

Together they have 45 years of improv experience, are 11 feet 8 inches tall and weigh over 300 pounds.

Heather Anne Campbell began improvising at Improv Olympic, in Chicago, at the age of 15. A student of Del Close, she completed her work in the Windy City as the youngest member of Close's final production, Spoo , which toured to the Austin Comedy Festival. A four-year member of Northwestern University's The Mee-Ow Show, she was hired by Boom Chicago in Amsterdam, and spent three years abroad until moving to Los Angeles in 2005. Soon after, Heather was selected for The Groundlings Sunday Company, while simultaneously performing at UCB (Last Day of School), Ultimate Improv, and IOWest (Heather and Miles, The Armando). In 2007, she teamed up with longform improv troupe Roberto Alomar, who are happily competing in the Los Angeles Comedy Festival's Cagematch (and appear every Monday at IO!). Heather has appeared as a guest performer on MADtv, as wells as a singing Hot Dog on a Stick sales-girl in ImprovEverywhere's Food Court Musical, and with Tim Meadows and Miles Stroth in Heather, Miles, and Tim.

A Chicago native, Miles had the good fortune to study at the ImprovOlympic theatre and work closely with the father of long-form improvisation, the guru himself, the late Del Close. Del always saw the improv community he spawned as a tribe, referring to himself as the Mojo Man. Before his passing in 1999, Del named Miles his Warchief. Miles has been performing and teaching weekly since 1993. Most of Miles' time nowadays is spent teaching and performing long-form improvisation at the IOWest in Hollywood. Miles was a member of the seminal improv team "The Family," and has had a hand in creating much of what is done today in long-form improvisation. Miles tours the world with Robert Dubac's hit one-man show The Male Intellect: an oxymoron. Miles was a featured player on Comedy central's Crossballs and was too hot to handle in Dreamworks Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. So raw and real, in fact, that his Cop #2 wound up on the cutting room floor. Miles is mentioned, quoted or referenced in a lot of improv books and his improv teaching will be featured in the upcoming season of The Real World. Miles' theatrical credits are too many and so varied that to write them all down would require Miles to write them all down.

Thursday June 5th, 2008

8 PM - The Armando Show
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
The Armando Show begins with one suggestion from the audience, which is then interpreted by that night's Armando (frequently a celebrity guest) through a personal and truthful improvised monologue. Inspired by that monologue, a cast composed of veteran Chicago and Los Angeles alumni perform scenes which, in turn inspire a response from Armando. This propels hilarious interchanges between Armando's monologues and the company's scenes.

Cast: Brian Shortall, Dave Hill, Jean Villepique, Mike Coleman, Jason Pardo, Betty Cahill, Heather Campbell, Mike Coen

9 PM - Steve And Jordan Respectively
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Critics have said that "Steve and Jordan Respectively" is...
"a practically flawless sketch revue." - Chicago Reader
and...
"Simple but exceedingly smart, it is among the best sketch shows in Chicago right now." - Chicago Tribune
while being...
"a crafty, theatrical hybrid of neurotic first-person confessions and top-shelf sketch that borders on performance art it feels just as dramatically sound, culturally relevant and honest in performance as any contemporary theater piece." - Time Out Chicago
So come and see...
"Cranky, lanky, whip-smart and crass, Waltien and Klepper are urban folk artists, picking material up off the street, bringing it into the bar and making something instant, aesthetic and consumable out of it. I'd see them now rather than later. Not because you'll get bragging rights if they get famous, but because Steve and Jordan are theater people. And they're always better in the flesh." - Time Out Chicago

Steve Waltien came to Chicago all the way from Shelburne, VT to study improvisation. He performs regularly with iO's house team Bullet Lounge, The Improvised Shakespeare Company, and the Armando Diaz Experience. Steve spent four months performing for Second City on a Norwegian Cruise ship and is an understudy for the Second City National Touring Company. Steve has also written sketch comedy shows for Local 386, the two-person show 'Striking Out' and helped create and perform in iO's 'The Late Night Late Show.' He also worked with NBC and dotcomedy to create "Kyle's in a Coma."

Jordan Klepper is thrilled to be performing at i.O. West. He has been performing in Chicago for the last 6 years. He recently finished as a correspondent on the Big Ten Network's college road trip show, "Friday Night Tailgate." He toured with the Second City Touring Company for a couple of years, visiting places like Vienna, Austria and Harris, MI. Jordan has performed at the i.O. Chicago with the "Armando Diaz Experience," the house team "Carl and the Passions," "Whirled News Tonight," and hosted the long running talk show, "The Late Night Late Show." He has been a writer and performer with the group "American Dream" and the NBC dotcomedy project "Kyle's in a Coma."

10 PM - Soundtrack
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Is your ipod hilarious? Soundtrack performs improvised comedy based on your music collection. Bring your CDs, ipods and MP3s and let them spontaneously inspire the show. Based on the long running New York UCB Theatre hit, Soundtrack is going live in LA! From death metal to Pavarotti, Bollywood to acid trance, the Soundtrack can make even the saddest songs funny.

"Quick, funny and unpredictable. Soundtrack grabs your attention from the get-go and doesn't let loose." -Time Out New York

Soundtrack is: Scot Armstrong (Old School, Semi Pro), Sean Conroy (Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The War at Home), Dannah Feinglass (Mad TV, PBS's WordGirl), Brian Huskey (Superbad, VH1's Free Radio), Billy Merritt (Mojo's Uncorked with Billy Merritt, MTV's Boiling Points), Seth Morris (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Reno 911!), Jessica St. Clair (Best Week Ever, Samantha Who?), Jean Villepique (30 Rock, The Office), and DJ Eric Appel (Human Giant, The Andy Milonakis Show)

Also featuring surprise guests and other comedy royalty...

11 PM - Gratuity Not Included
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
"Dead-on observations from the snitty server set. What better bitchiness could there be?" - Ted Casablanca, E! TV/E! Online

"Hysterically funny!" - Andy Dick

Named "Comedy Pick" by the LA Times, Gratuity Not Included was a hit last year at the Comedy Central Stage and at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. This show exists because Amanda and Sue have waited on a lot of tables. So many magical things have happened to them while getting their customers more lemon, less butter, and sauce on the side, they feel compelled to share their experiences with you in the form of sketch comedy.

When they're not reminiscing about fettucini alfredo, Amanda is narrating stuff for E! and the Fox Reality Channel, counting down things like "The 12 Sexiest Jobs In Hollywood." Susan is busy recurring on tv shows you might have heard of My Name is Earl, The Office

This show is dedicated to all those who tip 20%... even when the food comes out late.

Cast: Amanda Philipson and Susan Foley, with Rob Smith, Doug DeBeech and other special guests.

Directed by Eric Hunicutt

Friday June 6th, 2008

8 PM - Chris Farley Award Presented to Andy Richter
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
The Chris Farley Award is awarded annually to a comedic actor who performs outstanding charitable work and community service.

As an improviser, Chris Farley was electric to watch and incredibly generous to work with, giving amazing support to his scene partners.

Offstage, Chris was active & involved in volunteering his time through his local parish St. Malachy's in NYC, donating his time to their seniors citizen and homeless programs, visiting children with cancer as well as numerous other charity organizations. All this was done under the radar, without any press done on it. Chris didn't seek publicity, he did it because he felt the desire to give back with his time and his gift of comedy.

Andy Richter, perhaps best known for his former role as comedian Conan O'Brien's sidekick on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, studied through Chicago's iO in the late 80's and quickly rose through the comedic ranks writing, acting and producing shows such as "Andy Richter Controls The Universe", "Quintuplets", "Andy Barker P.I." and many more. Richter's guest appearances include The New Adventures of Old Christine, Monk, 30 Rock, Scary Movie 2, Cabin Boy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Blades of Glory and many more. However it's Richter's charity work in many philanthropic endeavors and particularly with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital that is earning him the Chris Farley Award.

Cast: Tim Meadows, Mike Coleman, James Grace, Pat Finn, Pete Hulne, Cindy Caponera, Bob Dassie

9 PM - Opening Night: The Improvised Musical
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
OPENING NIGHT: THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL! is exactly that a Broadway-style musical that is made up on the spot, based on audience suggestion. Therefore, every night is the "Opening Night" of a musical that has never been seen before! Now in it's tenth year, Opening Night is thrilled to continue as the show that LAWeekly called, "Almost too slick to be completely improvised." It is, by the way, completely improvised.

Led by director Shulie Cowen, Opening Night's cast combines the improvisational styles of the Improv Olympic and The Second City with the Broadway stylings of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Gilbert & Sullivan, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bob Fosse, and Edith Head. Occasionally, they also borrow the helicopter from Ms. Saigon. They usually give it back.

Visit their website at: www.improvisedmusical.com

Opening Night's festival performance will feature the talents of Shulie Cowen, Joshua Funk, Derek Miller, Hilary Ryan, Norm Thoeming and Music Director Andrew Melton.

10 PM - Beer Shark Mice
$10.00 - Buy Tickets Online
For years, Beer Shark Mice has been performing to sold out houses at the IO West theatre in Los Angeles.

Prompted by a single suggestion from the audience, these five gifted performers attack the stage with comedic abandon. What unfolds can only be described as democratic anarchy: scenes and characters appear, transform, and reappear with such speed and become so intertwined that it is hard to believe they are making it up.

Voted Chicago Improv Festival’s Ensemble of the Year and considered one of the best long-form improvisational groups in the country, the cast, which includes Mike Coleman, Pat Finn, Neil Flynn, Peter Hulne and David Koechner, boasts an impressive list of credits, both collectively and individually (Scrubs, Anchorman, Seinfeld, American Body Shop, How High, My Boys, Ed, Mean Girls, Thank You for Smoking, SNL, among many others).

Cast: Pete Hulne, Mike Coleman, Pat Finn, Dave Koechner, Paul Vaillancourt

11 PM - The Friday 40
$5.00
The game show world is obsessed with useless trivia. Remote Control probed its contestants for 1970s TV facts, The Price is Right makes sure you know the price of Sue-Bee Honey, Jeopardy tests your knowledge of the Peloponnesean War or whatever goddamn hoity-toity thing Alex Trebek's got on his cards.

But who's there to make sure you're paying attention to what's going on in the world right now? The Friday Forty is the weekly game show that rewards your knowledge of the news of the last seven days. Contestants sit back, sip a 40-ounce, and face a fearsome 40 questions about the events of the last week, fired at them by our hosts and a cast of Los Angeles best comics. At stake, their reputations and fabulous prizes maybe!

Starring: Jill Alexander, Nick Armstrong, Scott Gimple, Dave Holmes, Julia Wackenheim

Saturday June 7th, 2008

6 PM - THE CHRIS FARLEY SHOW book panel w/ co-authors Tanner Colby & Tom Farley Jr.
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Join THE CHRIS FARLEY SHOW co-authors Tanner Colby and Tom Farley, Jr. for a reading and signing, as well as a panel of Chris Farley's close friends and comedy contemporaries taking your questions on Chris's life and career.

The CHRIS FARLEY SHOW is a riveting new biography of Chris Farley, written by his brother Tom Farley and Belushi biographer Tanner Colby. Early reviews call it "excellent," and "a boisterous book the comedian's fans will want to buy, borrow or steal." Featuring over 100 new and exclusive interviews, this is the never-before-told story of how the legendary comedian made his way from the stages of iO to the heights of fame and then suffering his tragic, early demise.

Panel includes Joel Murray, Pat Finn, Bob Odenkirk, and more!



7 PM - Lampshades w/ THE OFFICE's Creed Bratton
$20.00 - Buy Tickets Online
The Lampshades is written and performed by Kate Flannery (THE OFFICE) and Scot Robinson (ANCHORMAN).

For more information, stand up shows, benefits and to see their Music Videos go to www.theLampshades.com or check out their Myspace page.


Creed Bratton portrays Dunder Mifflin's offbeat quality assurance representative, Creed Bratton, on NBC's hit comedy "The Office." Bratton's talent for music and acting began at a young age. He began playing the guitar professionally as a teenager followed by a whirlwind travel experience throughout Europe in his twenties with the band The Young Californians. During this time, he absorbed the unique and eclectic musical styles of the various cultures into his guitar playing.

Bratton just released his fourth solo album called "Creed Bratton." More information about Bratton's cd can be found at http://cdbaby.com/cd/bratton4. As a member of the musical group The Grass Roots in the 1960s, Bratton appeared on numerous television shows, as well as in the Doris Day movie, "With Six You Get Egg Roll." Bratton parted ways with the band in 1972, but continued his passion and released the solo albums "Chasin' the Ball" and "The '80s" in 2001 and "Coarsegold" in 2002.

Recently, Bratton appeared in a short film called "Just One of the Gynos" which has been accepted in three film festivals. Bratton has also worked in front of and behind the scenes as prop man, boom man and grip. His film credits as an actor include "The Wild Pair," "Mask" and "Heart Like a Wheel." On television, he has appeared on hit shows such as "The Bernie Mac Show" and "Eight is Enough."

8 PM - Ask A Ninja in Ninja Prov
$20.00 - Buy Tickets Online
The Ninja will enlighten as he kills with Ninja Prov!

Cast: Dave Hill, Mike Coleman, Betty Cahill, Jason Pardo, Molly Erdman, Mike Coen and Eric Hunicutt



9PM - The Cast of Broken Lizard's SUPER TROOPERS
$20.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Cast: Kevin Heffernan, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, Steve Lemme, Michael Weaver, James Grace, Molly Erdman, Seamus McCarthy, and Mike Coen.









10PM - The Cast of THE OFFICE
$20.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Long Form improv w/ members of NBC's hit series The Office.

Cast: Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, Creed Bratton, Mo Collins, Eric Hunicutt, Dave Hill, Mike Coleman and more!

Andy Dick Experimental Black Box Theater

Monday June 2nd, 2008

8:30 PM - Harold Competition Round 1: Acme VS Westside Eclectic
Free
Created by Del Close, the Harold begins with an audience suggestion. A team of improvisers fully explore the suggestion through scenes and games, creating disparate stories, characters and themes they eventually weave together seamlessly, like the instruments of a jazz band.

Acme cast: Maurissa Afanador, Brian Breiter, Dave Cox, Jordon Krain, Edmund O'Brien, Kimberly Lewis, Joseph Limbaugh, Sue Peahl

Westside Eclectic cast: Phil Ranta, Mike McClendon, Chiara Triska, Cole Stratton, Vanessa Ragland, Jamie Flam, Meghan Parks

9:30 PM - Harold Competition Round 1: Ultimate Improv VS UCB
Free
Ultimate Improv Cast: Scott Cushman, Kevin Brian, Mike Niktaris, John Davies, Chris Reinacher, Fielding Edlow, and Mike Postalakis

UCB Cast: Alex Fernie, Alex Berg, Todd Fasen, Joel Spence, Johnny Meeks, Mel Cowan, Suzi Barrett





10:30 PM - The Yacht Club / Mrs. Roboto
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
The Yacht Club met while performing in Second City's weekly Grad shows. After three years of working alongside each other there, Fred Cross, Greg Abbott, Andy Goldenberg, Jimmy Guidish, Mike Hughes, Jen Smedley and Jenny Starnes broke off to form The Yacht Club. As The Yacht Club, they have been performing together on stage, on film and in dreams. These improvisers are mixing it up and performing a variety of long form improv styles all over town, now performing the dualogue form that has gained attention and a fan base for their monthly show at Fanatic Salon Theater. Individually and as a group you can find these performers on every Comedy stage in town, with shows at The Groundlings, Second City, I.O. West, and UCB LA.

Their improvised hybrid pilot called "The Yacht Club", was a finalist in the Myspace Storyteller Challenge. After the Myspace Storyteller Challenge in November 2007, the Yacht Club gained some attention and have been asked to create more projects.

The Yacht Club is also involved in their local community, and has been asked to perform and teach for Public Highschool Theater Programs, Fundraisers such as Leukemia & Lymphoma's "Cancer ain't Funny" Benefit, Comedy Walk LA and at the LA Comedy Festival.

The Yacht Club live show is directed by Joshua Funk (MTV's Wild 'N Out). The Yacht Club's pilot was Produced and Directed by AJ Tesler (Executive Director of ITVFest).

Mrs. Roboto: Part Machine, Part Machine. Ex-iO Mainstage Cagematch champs rise again with students and alumni from iO West, UCB, Second City, and Groundlings.

Cast: Steve Greene, Jason Horton, Zoe Jarman, Shaun Parker, Lyndsey Jacobson, Chelsea Coleman.

11:30PM - Pale Irish Bastards VS Roberto Alomar
FREE
Pale Irish Bastards: Jim McCaffree, Taylor Johns, J Anthony McCarthy

Roberto Alomar: Heather Anne Campbell, Gian Molina, Scott Rodgers, Kevin Manwarren, Jacob Reed, Will Maier, Todd Wilson

Tuesday June 3rd, 2008

8:30 PM - Harold Competition Round 1: Bang Theater VS iO All-Stars
FREE



Bang Theater Cast: Jed Grodin, David Koff, Natalie Maskulak, Ramsey Omrey, Zachary Rynew


Primary Colors Cast: Dave Hill, Molly Hawkey, Kristy Nolen, Bryan Irzyk, Candace Brown, Gareth Reynolds, Jim Woods, Tim Jennings and Jason Pardo

9:30 PM - Harold Competition Round 1: Powerhouse VS Second City Training Center
FREE
Powerhouse performs 'The Harold': A group of improvisers take a single suggestion from the audience and use it as a springboard to create twenty-five to thirty minutes of scenes, games and monologues.

Starring: Steve Berg, Jason Frederick, Brian Gallivan, Ryan Gaul, Dana Powell, Gareth Reynolds, Brandon Sornberger, Chris Tallman

Coach: Eric Hunicutt

Second City Cast: Amanda Tate, Parvesh Cheena, Jason Beeber, Sarah Durden, Miranda Shade, Alison Summers, Chelsea Coleman, Nathan Clark, Cristi Cacciotti, Jeff Virkus

10:30 PM - Husbands of Improv / Stephen/Scott
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
In the world of improv there has always been two types of men, single men and married men. Single men have always been the ones to live crazy, stay out late, and have a wild time...until now. Through the wonders of improvisation we, The Husbands of Improv, get to do whatever, be whomever, and go wherever we want. The best part is, you get to come along with us on this long-form improv journey.

The Husbands of Improv is a group of married men who are instructors, graduates, and house performers from The Second City, Comedy Sports, Annoyance Theatre, and iO. These husbands still love to play, and hope you do to.

Current members include: Brady Joe Bunch, Joe Spence, Joel Veenstra, Jonathan Browning, Justin Worsham, Hal Lublin, and Mike Ross

Stephen/Scott (IO West, Second City, Chicago SketchFest, Los Angeles Comedy Festival) presents Too Old For Sketch. Two guys, 30 minutes, Marriage, Children, Lack of Marriage, Lack of Children, Karaoke, The War in Iraq, Homophobia, Eleanor Roosevelt, Old Age, Blissful Ignorance, Secret Fantasies, Random Bollywood Dancing. (www.stephenscottshow.com)

Written and performed by: Steve Brewster and Scott Macdonell.

Directed by: Jason Pardo

11:30PM - Roomies VS Crud
FREE
Roomies: Erik Latshaw, Ashley Opstad, David Magidoff, David Riley, Kevin Brian

Crud: Jack Allison, Dave Ferguson, Mike Hanford, Matt Kowalick, Mike Mitchell, Paul Erling Oyen

Wednesday June 4th, 2008

10:30 PM - Brandon Barrick presents Erin McGathy / Dr. God
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
'Brandon Barrick presents Erin McGathy' is long form Improv performed by two improvisers who embrace risk like a baby embraces a rattle. They will surprise you, seduce you and make you laugh. Brandon and Erin have performed Improv coast to coast and are featured performers at the IO West the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. They are friends.

"'Brandon Barrick presents Erin McGathy' is a beautiful, improvised, majestic tapestry of human wants and dreams. This is the most hilarious show we have ever seen." - Brandon Barrick and Erin McGathy




Dr. God is an improv group that brings comedians from IO Chicago, IO West, UCB NY, UCB LA, The Groundlings, Second City and Bang Comedy Theatre together to do a half hour of long form improv. With a mixture of grounded scene work, fast paced play and clever comedy, Dr. God is a staple in Los Angeles Improv.

Cast: Sean Cowhig, Mindy Fortune, Neil Garguilo, Scott Garner, Brendan McLoughlin, David Park, Andy Trask, Justin Ware

Thursday June 5th, 2008

8:30 PM - Spoken Improv
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
"Spoken Improv" with Scott Recchia as the spoken word poet, Alex Burke playing music on the vibes, improvisors include Michael Bertrando and Irene White and more.

Website: www.turkeyneck.net

9:30 PM - Trophy Wife / Singles Bar
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Trophy Wife performs the Harold, the signature piece of IOWest in which a complete 30 minute theatrical piece is created from only one suggestion. Named by New York magazine as the "L.A. improv team to watch," Trophy Wife performs weekly on the mainstage as a long-running house team at the IOWest. Trophy Wife loves hot weather, ice-cold beverages, and pulpy tabloids. They have been named "Best Harold Team" at previous LA Improv Festivals and Del Close Awards. Trophy Wife will be showcasing at the San Francisco Improv Festival in July this summer. They look great in tight pants, so come see their show.

Cast: John Abbott, Jill Alexander, Mike Coen, Rachael Drummond, Tim Jennings, Kevin McShane, Opus Moreschi, Zabeth Russell

Singles Bar: Have you ever experienced a lonely heart, or do you have problems finding that special someone? Well you're not alone because a group of seven single friends have almost made a religion out of going solo in Singles Bar!! These bachelors and bachelorettes strike out week after week as they tour different Singles Bars suggested by the audience. The Skullz present a classic improv show of failed love, dead-end relationships, and some lovely characters that stray far from your typical night out on the town!

Cast List: Adam Karell, Annie Hoff, Dave Stratton, Justin Johnson, Molly Hawkey, Paul Natonek, Steve Shane

Accompanied by Alex Burke

10:30 PM - A Pair of Nuts: A Comedy Duo / garguilOconnell
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
" Some of the funniest material I have ever seen." - S. FL Improvs GM
"...pure comedy gold..." - FlavorPill.com
"...reinventing hilarity." - Miami New Times
"...extraordinary parodies." - Ocean Drive Magazine

Straight out of the mean streets of Miami, FL comes A Pair of Nuts, starring Yamil Piedra & his little friend Johnny Trabanco. Their show is a multimedia sketch comedy show that leaves their audiences in stitches and asking, "How'd they come up with that?" Well, they're nuts!

Yamil has been featured on Last Comic Standing, Comic View, Las Vegas, & Boston Legal. Johnny is rumored to be "The Greatest Sketch Comedian Alive." A Pair of Nuts were awarded the Best S. FL Performance at the 2007 Miami Improv Festival, have been featured on NBC's It's Your Show, and Black Entertainment Television.

Website: nutscomedy.com

garguilOconnell performs a half hour scene in one location, playing between 8-15 characters on stage at the same time. With no scene changes and the freedom of playing each other's characters, garguilOconnell is fast paced, funny and most of all smart. Check it out, it's a must see at this years Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival.

Cast: Brian O'Connell, Neil Garguilo





11:30PM - Sketch Armstrong: Go People Go! / Dollhouse
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Sketch Armstrong (Aspen Comedy Festival, IO West, Second City, The Comedy Central Stage) presents Christian Folk Sensation, Go People Go!. Join "George Bush's favorite Right-Wing Christian Folk Band" for a toe-tapping, life changing evening of music and sketch. If you love Jesus as much as you hate unwed mothers, prostitutes and the poor, you'll love Go People Go! (www.sketcharmstrong.com)

Written and performed by: Jason Batten, Steve Brewster, Laura Davis, Richard Evans, Jr., Adam Gropman, Kristin Hensley.

Directed by: Marc Evan Jackson

Seven female brains working together on stage to create improvisation and what do you get? I.O.'s original all female cast of The Dollhouse, performing the Harold. This group's members consist of players from multiple levels throughout the training program, each possessing a unique chemistry to bring to the stage. There's nothing else like it at I.O. Come see what all the fuss is about!

The Dollhouse formed in January of 2008 and soon after began performing weekly at the IO West theatre. The Dollhouse is made up of seven female performers who have studied improvisation and theatre throughout the country at UCB, Second City, NYU, Loyola Marymount University, The Groundlings and IO West. The Dollhouse currently performs every Saturday night at 9pm in the upstairs black box at IO West.

Cast: Maria Blasucci, Chelsea Coleman, Maggy Keegan, Amanda Lund, Margaret Shoop, Sara Sposito, Katie Ward

Friday June 6th, 2008

8:30PM - Dance, Magic, Dance!
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Dance Magic, Dance is a long-form musical montage based on a suggestion from the audience. DMD twists and turns through rapid-fire musical scenes and somehow winds up intertwining them all into one huge musical finale!



Starring: Parvesh Cheena, Chelsea Coleman, Matthew David, Jason Kelley, Kerri-Anne Lavin, Cassie Rubino, Tammie Smalls, Joe Spence, Scott Palmason

Directed by: Holly Wortell

9:30PM - Crisis Hopkins / American Standard
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Crisis Hopkins is a comedy improv troupe from the San Francisco Bay Area that infuses games, scenes, and comedy of the fast and slow variety in an evening of in-the-moment hilarity. Valuing joy above elegance and play above dignity, Crisis Hopkins commits to the moment and finds inspiration in the topics of the day and the experiences of its players. They are named after an infamous 19th century San Francisco vagrant who interrupted the sermons of street preachers with the cry "The Fire and Brimstone preachers are gone friends; Now Listen to Reason!"

Cast: Cassidy Brown, Lily Harvey, Christopher Hayes, Sam Shaw, Anthony Veneziale

American Standard takes three suggestions from the audience: a film genre, a thing, and your favorite television icon. Then they proceed to perform the last twenty minutes of a film based on all three suggestions.

Cast: Nathan Clark, Todd Bosley, Bob Levitan, Dwana White, Cheri Themer, Allison Summers, Jason Kelly, Mike Ciriaco, Paul Broccolo, Tyler Pratt



10:30PM - Shootin' the Shit w/ E.J.
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Shootin' the Shit w/ E.J. is a single scene long form improv scene set in a bar. No scene changes, switching characters or tag outs. Ranked in the Top 100 shows at iO West!!



Starring E.J. Scott, Steve Agee, and Chris Tallman.

11:30PM - The Haunted House of Improvised Horror
$5.00
Prepare to be spooked as real stories of the paranormal are improvised before your very eyes! Can you stand the horror as seven improvisers enter a house of haunted proportions hoping to last the night? Watch as your stories are made incarnate in The Haunted House of Improvised Horrors. Some improvisers will remain, most will be terrified, and all will be hilarious!

Cast List: Adam Karell, Annie Hoff, Dave Stratton, Justin Johnson, Molly Hawkey, Paul Natonek, Steve Shane

Accompanied by Alex Burke

Saturday June 7th, 2008

7:00PM - Quiet Monkey Fight presents: A Fairy Tale / TAB
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
Quiet Monkey Fight has been recognized for its long-form "Fairy Tale" that has been enjoyed by audiences across North America. After the audience provides suggestions to impact the storyline, watch in wonder as a never-before-told fairy tale unfolds before your eyes that will surely be remembered!

Cast: Jed Rose, Brian Sutherland, Scott Yost, Dan Finkel


TAB will be performing a "Where in the World?": a long form improvised show which starts in one specific location and then opens the door. This is a form, which TAB has created pulling from the classic Harold, a Here-old, and a monoscene.

TAB like a button on your key board, like a soda, like a nickname for a cat named Tabby, is just a group of five people who really like each other. Our members have trained at UCB, IO West, ComedySportz, Brave New Workshop, Second City and The Groundlings and use all of that knowledge to play with form, structure and basically make Del Close turn in his grave. You can check out more information as well as individual bios of the ones you think are cute at: www.myspace.com/tablikea

Cast: Lilan Bowden, Will Doughty, Casey Feigh, Jacob Womack, and Diana Wright.

8:00PM - CHEWTIES! / Roberto Alomar
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
CHEWTIES! is the brainchild of three dedicated ladies whose no-holds-barred style of play has been known to make people faint ok, maybe just that one time and she was actually sleeping. Never ones to shy away from ridiculous, these three brazen broads embrace the world of absurd through their daring physical and vocal choices. Interweaving grounded scene work with a fearless sense of play, Chewties! bold and brash style brings a hilarious horde of characters to life.

Cast: Alex Fox, Megan Johns, Rachel Lewis

Roberto Alomar was first conceived as an experimental show in 2006. Featuring an eclectic cast of seasoned improvisors - as well as new, prodigious talent - Roberto performed at the Ultimate Improv theatre every Saturday night for more than a year. Combining vulnerable, painfully emotional play with quick edits and sharp game work, Roberto soon became a Los Angeles sensation after a fifteen week run at the IOWest Cagematch.

Always seeking to break new ground, Roberto Alomar works throughout the theatre, diving into scenes in the audience, breaking the fourth wall, and incorporating serious, dramatic play in a show that weaves comedy and tragedy together into a oftentimes hard-hitting, honest piece. Under the direction of Billy Merritt, Roberto Alomar pushes at the boundaries of comedy -- questioning what is funny, and inviting the audience to laugh at what is serious.

Cast: Heather Campbell, Will Maier, Kevin Mannwarren, Gian Molina, Jacob Reed, Scott Rodgers, Todd Wilson

9:00PM - TOPAZ / Vermafia!
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online


TOPAZ is Bob Seger punching you in the stomach during an argument in the bathroom. Avalanching the audience with inspired hi-jinks and feats athletic, the 3-pronged assault of this troika of stage maulers is a veritable blitzkrieg of skull busting and acting chops. They're a no-nonsense triumvirate creating classic routines improvised out of thin air. Thin air that is on fire. Better bring your Geiger counters- these boys are radioactive!* So much denim. So much truth. So much fun.

*Geiger counters detect radiation, but will not protect you from radioactivity

Cast: Bill Boehler, Paul Brittain, Rex Graff

Members of Vermafia! have each other's backs as they perfom longform improv, showing you the meaning of family. Cows, guns, and improv . . . Vermafia!

Cast: Kara Simpson, Amy Schloerb, Michael May, Rebecca Stevens, Nikitas Manikatos, Brandee Stillwell, Zach Huddleston, Daniel Hartley




10:00PM - Relationsh!t
$5.00 - Buy Tickets Online
RELATIONSH!T - The Talk Show about Love, Sex and Relationships! The audience asks questions anonymously via the stealthy "ballot box" while the panel of four "experts" provide answers.* Funny, sincere, awkward.

* We'll be making some shit up!

Cast: Maria Bamford (Comedians of Comedy, The Maria Bamford Show), Herb Koss (iOWest Celebrity), Brian O'Conell (Tiger Pants, BillyHawk), Evelyn Jensen (Jude's college roomate)