LOL WITH IT: Q&A with Connie's Ric Rac manager Frank Tartaglia

Connie's Ric Rac has been an emerging hot spot for Philly comedy as of late. This week, Ryan got a few works with manager Frank Tartaglia to see what that's all about. conniesricrac.com Critical Mass: What was the very first comedy show you booked? Frank Tartaglia: The first comedy related event we had was the Improv explosion. A bunch of different improv groups doing crazy make-em-ups. CM: What are the most popular comedy shows that perform at your venue? (and, your favorites?) FT: Greg Gethard's "Bedtime Stories" comes to mind. Eack month he tackles a different theme with Philly's best and brightest improvisers, stand ups and sketch people. Last bedtime stories theme was "The worst Night of your life" and Chris Gethard [Gregg's brother who's making good up at the Upright Citizen's Brigade in New York] came to the theater and wrestled a dude. It was no joke. We also enjoy whenever Johnny Showcase and the Lefty Lucy Cabaret does a show at our spot. That show is hilarious and packed with live music. We also have had some tremendous stand-up shows . Kenny Zimlinghous sticks out in my head. CM: Is there a big enough interest in comedy in Philly to make it an equitable type of entertainment to book (how does it compare to music?) FT: It's definitely easier for us to do comedy shows. No gear to deal with, wires... No tricky sound requests. But comedy shows are much shorter than music shows so, we sell less refreshments because the audience is only there for 2 hours tops. It's a toss up. CM: What are your plans for the future? FT: Keep doing shows and creating a fun environment. I plan on adding more cool lights. I am really into lighting these days. The kids dig the psychedelic lights. Come back at 4 p.m. for Ryan's interview with comedian, 30 Rock and SNL writer Hannibal Buress.

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LOL WITH IT: Q&A with Connie's Ric Rac manager Frank Tartaglia

POSTED: Friday, January 21, 2011, 7:00 PM

Filed Under: Comedy LOL With It

Connie's Ric Rac has been an emerging hot spot for Philly comedy as of late. This week, Ryan got a few works with manager Frank Tartaglia to see what that's all about.

conniesricrac.com

Critical Mass: What was the very first comedy show you booked? Frank Tartaglia: The first comedy related event we had was the Improv explosion. A bunch of different improv groups doing crazy make-em-ups. CM: What are the most popular comedy shows that perform at your venue? (and, your favorites?) FT: Greg Gethard's "Bedtime Stories" comes to mind. Eack month he tackles a different theme with Philly's best and brightest improvisers, stand ups and sketch people. Last bedtime stories theme was "The worst Night of your life" and Chris Gethard [Gregg's brother who's making good up at the Upright Citizen's Brigade in New York] came to the theater and wrestled a dude. It was no joke. We also enjoy whenever Johnny Showcase and the Lefty Lucy Cabaret does a show at our spot. That show is hilarious and packed with live music. We also have had some tremendous stand-up shows . Kenny Zimlinghous sticks out in my head. CM: Is there a big enough interest in comedy in Philly to make it an equitable type of entertainment to book (how does it compare to music?) FT: It's definitely easier for us to do comedy shows. No gear to deal with, wires... No tricky sound requests. But comedy shows are much shorter than music shows so, we sell less refreshments because the audience is only there for 2 hours tops. It's a toss up. CM: What are your plans for the future? FT: Keep doing shows and creating a fun environment. I plan on adding more cool lights. I am really into lighting these days. The kids dig the psychedelic lights. Come back at 4 p.m. for Ryan's interview with comedian, 30 Rock and SNL writer Hannibal Buress.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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