Comedian Mike Birbiglia‘s off-Broadway theatrical performance, “Sleepwalk with Me,” has received rave reviews and contract extensions as other shows closed their doors by the droves. The show, which chronicles Mike’s struggles with sleepwalking and the effects that has had on his romantic relationship, was previewed to Nashville at Zanies when Mike was preparing for his run at the Bleeker Street Theater in New York City. More recent bookings at Zanies have been postponed as “Sleepwalk”s run was extended, but fret not! Mr. Birbiglia just touched base with N’Sup to let us know he’s coming back soon-ish:
Hey Nashville Peeps!
I’ve got big news! My Comedy Central “I’m in the Future Also” Tour is on sale now for Nashville!
I’ll be performing tons of new and awkwarder stories as I prepare to shoot a new television special and record a new CD, plus the best of My Secret Public Journal Live, Two Drink Mike, and Sleepwalk With Me.
The ‘Doo returns with a delightfully musical new episode! Cornish Rap, THE DEAD DEAD debut new shizz, Col. Parker shows up and makes the requisite Swine Flu jokes, SEAN PARROTT performs live, Chip Barrons, Anne Murray, Bacteria, plus tons of guest appearances.
There are several friends of NashvilleStandUp mentioned in today’s announcement of the list of the 24 stand-up comedians who will be competing for the top prize at the Great American Comedy Festival this June in Johnny Carson’s hometown of Norfolk, NE.
“These are some of the brightest, most intelligent and creative minds in the industry,” said Eddie Brill, the executive producer of the festival and the talent coordinator for the “Late Show with David Letterman.”
Brill and Lora Young, executive director of the festival, auditioned comedians in 10 cities across the United States — including New York City, Dallas, Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Boston and Chicago — to select the top 24 who wanted the chance to compete in Norfolk.
“As a result of the incredible success of last year’s festival, the good word has spread rapidly throughout the comedy community,” Brill said. “The high quality of comedians who auditioned for the Great American Comedy Festival made it so difficult to narrow the list down to just 24.”
The list includes: Keith Alberstadt (Nashville native, now living in New York City), Jesse Case (Nashville native, now living in Seattle), Pat Dixon (currently living in New York City.. he is not from Nashville, but was almost murdered by a crazy chick from here, so we claim him as our own), and Tim Harmston (from Minneapolis, who is a very good friend of our own Mary Mack).
The 24 comedians will be split up so that six perform at each of the four preliminary rounds of competition at the festival on Wednesday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Thursday, June 18, at the same times.
It’s an okay write-up, but only okay. Dave could have looked deeper than Nashville’s “funny musicians” to find his local angle. For example..
Lahna TurnerLahna Turner is a very funny lady who now calls both Nashville and Los Angeles home. She is a fantastic stand-up comic with a sick sense of humor and a knack for writing killer funny songs. She has appeared on NBC, Comedy Central and VH1 and has toured the world.
Rik RobertsRik Roberts is a Nashville-based comic who performs hilarious “super-clean” comedy delivered with a little Southern flavor. His act is largely rapid-fire, family friendly stand-up comedy plus some original comedy songs and a little bit of improvisation. Rik has performed at clubs and colleges across the nation, works many corporate events, and also teaches stand-up comedy classes. Rik regularly hosts showcases of his graduating students and headlines at Zanies.
Steve GoodieDr. Demento has called Nashville’s Steve Goodie, “One of our most talented 21st-century parodists.” Steve has also appeared on many other radio programs around the nation, including The Howard Stern Show, and The Bob And Tom Show. Every Sunday at 8pm, Steve hosts the show at The Bluebird Cafe, emceeing this renowned evening of songs, keeping it moving along with his nutty witticisms.. and he performs his hilarious songs around Nashville and on the road regularly.
Wynn Reichert uses a tongue-in-cheek delivery to belt out tunes like, “I Need To Get Laid,” and audience favorite, “Sometimes I Wish I was Black.” Wynn is originally from California, lives in Nashville and tours internationally.
Sean ParrottSean Parrott has been bringing his charismatic stage presence and a unique point of view to comedy clubs and bars all over the Southeast since 2006. Brought up on Bugs Bunny and Monty Python, Sean is an observational absurdist with a keen eye for finding the humor in everyday life. He was recently a Finalist in the Reader’s Digest Nashville’s Funniest Comic Competition and did voice over work for an animated film, “Back to Life, ” that was featured on the Independent Film Chanel. Sean is also half of musical comedy duo, “The Dead Dead” which has been featured on the hilarious “Mangy Dog Whoop Dee Doo” (visit The Dead Dead online at MySpace & FunnyOrDie). Sean performs regularly at Zanies, is actively involved in the DIY comedy shows around town, and will be featured at the upcoming Mangy Dog LIVE show April 18th at 10pm at the Improv Nashville Comedy Theater.
Speaking of the Mangy Dog Whoop Dee Doo, this Nashville-based podcast consistently features funny songs and parodies and whatnot produced by local professional funny people Jesse Perry, Mark Anundson, the previously mentioned Sean Parrott, Damian Anaya, Brad Edwards and more..
Mark AnundsonMark Anundson is especially prolific. Not only is he the “Fungenieer” for the Mangy Dog Whoop Dee Doo, but he also hosts WRVU’s wildly popular “Get Up, Stand Up” radio show every Tuesday morning from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on 91.1 FM & archived online in the horrible RealPlayer format. He also produces hilarious songs for his own funny podcast, Happy For Apathy and has released a cd of his musical fun. He recently headlined the Sunday Stand-up Showcase Showdown And Stuff at the Improv Nashville Comedy Theater, improvising several funny songs on the spot using only his keyboard and his very funny brain.
This isn’t nearly a comprehensive list of ALL the musical comedy acts in Nashville.. but it’s a start. Keep an eye on the NashvilleStandUp calendar for upcoming shows featuring these very funny people.
Southern-fried brains and more populate “Skiptracers” – a Southern comedy feature film filled with hilarity and, sometimes redneck vulgarity, rock music, fugitives, sordid affairs, and pee wee football.
The fried brains here are not the kind you eat, but those of people we deal with in everyday life – and this film is full of characters you’ll recognize from the church pew to the jailhouse.
Cooked up by Alabama-born film makers Harris Mendheim and Andy Stuckey (best known as half of the NYC-based “Stuckey and Murray” musical comedy team), with writing help from their friend Brian Saliba, SKIPTRACERS embodies the underbelly of a South we all know but seldom see played out on screen.
Accompanied by a winning soundtrack featuring artists Langhorne Slim, The Defibulators, The Avett Brothers and others, the story revolves around the Trawick family. The Trawick’s are a family steeped in south Alabama tradition of bail-bonding and pee wee football, with sons J.D. and Tucker leading the pack, and overbearing father and coach, Big Donald at the helm, backed by the born-again Baptist and former bootlegging matriarch, Nanny.
Their nemeses include trailer-park crack-head Rusty, a fugitive from the law with a penchant for strip clubs and rock music, and their arch rival in both bail bonding and pee wee football, Cletus Yoates.
“Skiptracers” and the Trawick legacy make for a raucous good time at the movies resembling a coupling of “Dukes of Hazard” and the Coen Brothers’ quirky takes on rural life.
Here’s a trailer for the film:
“Skiptracers” has already received several accolades including the Rome International Film Festival’s Audience Award; Best Comedy, Best Actor in a Comedy (Andy Stuckey as Rusty McAndrews) from the Dixie Film Festival; and the Excellence in Feature Film making award at the Accolade Film Fest in La Jolla, CA.
Tennesseans have several chances to see “Skiptracers” from April 20th -26th at the following theaters:
THOROUGHBRED 20 – FRANKLIN, TN
NORTHGATE 14 – HIXSON, TN
WYNNSONG 16 – KNOXVILLE, TN
CARMIKE 14 – JOHNSON CITY, TN
For more info visit the following interweb thing-a-ma-jiggers:
Speaking of the 