POSTED: Friday, January 14, 2011, 9:00 PM
Every Friday Ryan Carey takes a look at who and what's giving Philly the giggles ...
While Philadelphia is still burgeoning as a serious comedy market, our local funnymen have been cutting their teeth for decades in Philly's farm league before zipping off to the majors, and appearing on your favorite late night shows.
I spoke with a handful of once-Septa-riding comedians who have ventured elsewhere to make a living in stand-up — but still call Philly home.
They were asked:
WHEN did they start comedy & when did they leave Philly?
WHY did they relocate?
HOW has it been going?
WHO were their favorite Philly comics or bookers in the Philly scene when they left?
WHERE can we find them performing should we happen to be in their town?
Paul F. Tompkins
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| prestigecomedians.com |
| Paul F. Tompkins |
WHEN? I started in 1986, right after graduating high school. My first open mic was at the Comedy Works, above the Middle Eastern Restaurant at Second & Chestnut. I left Philadelphia in 1994 and moved to Los Angeles.
WHY? After eight years of doing stand-up, I wanted to pursue opportunities in television and film. I got my first big break in 1996, when I was hired to write and perform on an HBO sketch show called "Mr. Show with Bob & David."
HOW? In addition to continuing stand-up comedy, I've gotten to work on a variety of projects, got nominated for an Emmy for writing, even acted in a small role opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in
There Will Be Blood.
WHO? Philadelphia was a great place to start stand-up, and one of my favorite comics was Todd Glass. And what I love about the comedy scene in Los Angeles is that great comics like Todd journey from their various hometowns to work here in this city. It's the best of performers from all over, all in one place.
WHERE? My two favorite places to perform in Los Angeles are Largo at The Coronet, a theater where I do a variety show on the third Saturday of every month, and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, where I get to perform alongside some of the most creative and inspiring men and women working today.
See what TuRae and Jimmy Shubert have to say after the jump ...
TuRae
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| laffhouse.com |
| TuRae |
WHEN? I started doing comedy in 1991 at Temple University. It was an"Open Mike Night." I got to do 10 minutes, and I was funny enough to win $50. I left Philadelphia in 2007. And I currently reside in Union, N.J.
Why? I had truly done all I could d in Philadelphia. New York — or the NY area — provides endless opportunities for comedy in all of its forms (stand-up, writing, acting, etc ...) It's all here for the taking.
How? Well, my career has improved tenfold. By 2008 I was on television three times, HBO, Starz, & NBC. I also attended the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal as a "New Face" (after damn near 20 years in the biz). In 2008, I taped another show for BET, and signed with McDonald Murray Management. In 2009 I appeared on Comedy Central's live at Gotham, and landed my first national commercial for Microsoft. Through various appearances around the city, I'm able to work in most, if not all, of the clubs in New York, which led to me being selected as host for the national Royal Comedy Tour starring Sommore & D.L. Hughley. In 2010, I have continued to work as much as possible, and great opportunities always present themselves here.
Who? My favorite venue is of course my home club, the Laff House, where I started. The current comedy scene in Philly is great. Lots of work, lots of shows I only have a problem with what seems to be an oversaturated market. Open mic comedians starting "rooms" and charging the people top dollar when the quality isn't there yet. It doesn't seem to matter, but down the road, it will kill the interest in live comedy if all of the comedy is considered the same level. But I appreciate the new energy that seems to be driving Philly's comedy scene right now. It's a great city to start comedy in; Philly will prepare you for the hard job you gotta be ready for.
Where? I work at Comix in NYC, Jokes and Notes in Chicago, The Miami Improv — actually, any improv — and of course, my monthly comedy show
Soul Comedy.
Jimmy Shubert
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| jimmyshubert.com |
| Jimmy Shubert |
When? After being an accomplished magician at 15 and attending the Philadelphia High school for Creative and Performing Arts, I started doing comedy in 1984. I did it for a few years and then left for Los Angeles in 1986.
WHY? I wanted bigger things I knew I couldn't get in Philly. Some of the comedians were doing material specific to Philly and Jersey and I wanted to find a national audience.
HOW? I have done television and movies — I have a career acting as well as doing stand-up. I have a Comedy Central special; I just produced and wrote an hour special that will be on I-Tunes shortly; and because I have these credits I get paid more money when I do personal appearances. I am a national headliner as opposed to a regional headliner.
WHERE? I work at the improv and comedy store in LA. The scene in LA is great if you are established. If you're not it's really tough. It's weird, stand-up is still considered a step child to the arts.
