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Del Close Marathon 2011
Posted: July 26th, 2011, 11:04 pm
by Alex B
Here is the upcoming
Del Close Marathon Schedule. At least a few Austin people are going.
I'm seeking advice (maybe it will help others as well):
(1) Which are the must-see shows/troupes at this DCM?
(2) I assume some of the good shows may be hard to get into (e.g. some of the awesome troupes playing at UCBT). Any advice on how to get in to the good shows and how to manage time and logistics?
(3) Any other general advice for the festival, secret hints, etc. to make the experience maximally awesome?
So many thanks.
Posted: July 27th, 2011, 11:07 am
by Jastroch
Posted: July 27th, 2011, 11:48 am
by nick
It might be worth it to spend the $10 and get a ticket to some of the "big" shows. I'm planning to see The 2-Man Movie (it's 2 guys from Death By Roo Roo... Lance and I saw it last year and it inspired us to start doing our own movie troupe, Movie: The Movie) and the UCB TourCo All Stars. Also, the ASSSCAT show is always fun to see, if you've never seen the original UCB guys perform before.
It's gotten pretty hard to get into UCB Theater since the first time I went 5 years ago. You have to be willing to stand in line for a few hours before the show starts. During the theater cleaning breaks, they kick everyone out, then let people in from the line. If you show up during the day, before all the famous people play, you can just walk in and see some good shows (and probably some bad shows), but you'll eventually have to leave for the cleaning.
The "Press Conference" that kicks off the marathon is just Besser, Walsh, and Roberts talking about improv and joking with the audience. That's pretty fun to see, and I don't think I had to wait in line last year. Then you can stick around for the shows right after it.
The late night shows are a lot of fun, especially the first time you see them. They're 15 minutes long and are usually just extended inside jokes about improv. The Straight Men is the best of these that I've ever seen.
Sorry for rambling, I'm at work.
Posted: July 27th, 2011, 2:09 pm
by Lants
I agree with everything Nick said.
Any late UCB shows are probably going to be worth your time.
A good strategy is to get to the theater during the day an hour or so before the cleaning. That way, you're earlier in line for after the cleaning and will probably get in.
It's all pretty fun though, just see as much as you can, you can get a lot out of seeing lesser known shows.
Posted: July 27th, 2011, 2:37 pm
by Pdyx
Lants wrote:you can get a lot out of seeing lesser known shows.
I've only been once, two or so years ago. I had a blast. I didn't try to see any big name acts, and maybe I should have, but I saw a lot of great stuff by doing what Lance suggested here. I also mostly hung out at one of the other theaters where they had free beer in the green room and just drank and watched shows. It was great. Everyone else was trying to get into shows at UCB while I was drinking free beer and watching shows at the other theater (Urban Stages) with Jared and Chris. Who knows if they still have free beer there this year.
Posted: July 27th, 2011, 5:01 pm
by apiaryist
Everybody has covered everything you need to know. I would also like to add that it gets disgustingly hot in the theaters sometimes and also while waiting in line. A hydration system is recommended.
Please do yourself a favor and watch The Straight Men if they perform. It's mind-blowing if you really like improv.
Posted: July 27th, 2011, 8:10 pm
by Alex B
You guys... thank you. That helps a lot.
Posted: July 28th, 2011, 12:14 am
by valetoile
Lapcox is great! They played at LAFF a couple of years ago and killed it.
Posted: July 28th, 2011, 10:29 pm
by LisaJackson
My DCM advice is not to drink 10 gallons of Jungle Juice and walk 40 blocks to get home while texting your friends and threatening them that they'd better tell you how to get home.
Posted: July 29th, 2011, 12:29 am
by jillybee72
Seriously, if there's a show at UCB you want to see for sure, go to a show a few slots before it and CAMP OUT in your seat. I didn't get to see anything I wanted there because the line was so long.
Posted: July 29th, 2011, 10:33 am
by valetoile
I am so proud of Austin and how we represent!
Posted: July 29th, 2011, 10:50 am
by Jastroch
Seriously there are a ton of Austin troupes going!
Posted: July 29th, 2011, 11:10 am
by arthursimone
Jastroch wrote:Seriously there are a ton of Austin troupes going!
2000+ pounds of austin-fed funny!!
Posted: August 1st, 2011, 9:35 am
by JoshYellow
I agree with Lisa. Don't do that. It will annoy and scare the shit our of you friends.