Hybrid comedy - Text-a-Saurus March 30, 2013

HYBRID COMEDY ‘TEXT-A-SAURUS’ FINDS A HOME AT THE BUG THEATRE

The Bug Theatre is proud to announce the addition of TEXT-A-SAURUS to its monthly line-up of alternative shows, joining Freak Train, The Emerging Filmmakers Project, and The Grawlix. TEXT-A-SAURUS is a co-production of The Bug Theater and show creator and host Deacon Gray, and will be staged at The Bug on the last Saturday of every month at 10:30 p.m.

TEXT-A-SAURUS is a comedy hybrid with elements of stand-up and improvisation. In act one, an MC and three comedians perform short stand-up sets. After each comic, a phone number is projected on the stage screen, and the audience is asked to text (or tweet) topics they wish that comic to talk about in act two.

After a brief intermission, each comic takes the stage a second time to speak on topics from the audience. Here’s the catch: the comics don’t know the topics ahead of time, so the entire set is improvised. The comics take the stage, the topics appear on the screen, and the act must be made up on the spot. Topics from past shows have included ‘hipster royalty’, ‘penguin violence’, and ‘Narnia porn.’ (Comedian Jordan Doll brilliantly answered ‘Narnia porn’ with ‘The Lyin’ Bitch in the Whore-drobe.’)

At the end, all four comics take the stage together in a speed round to burn through the unused texts. Past speed round topics have included ‘seducing Denver women’ and ‘canceled Food Network shows.’ The end result is an exhilarating and hilarious show that Michael Powell of The Comedy Buffet called, “The most dangerous and innovative night of comedy I’ve ever seen.”

TEXT-A-SAURUS also combines with The Grawlix, on the last Friday, to give The Bug Theatre a powerful monthly weekend of alternative comedy. “TEXT-A-SAURUS is a great fit for our weekend,” said Bug director Alex Weimer, “because it’s such a different approach. It’s a very different show.”

TEXT-A-SAURUS also finds a place in what is becoming a very strong week of alternative comedy in the Denver scene. Comics visiting Denver can perform on Too Much Fun at the Deer Pile on Wednesdays; at the Voodoo Playhouse on Thursdays; on The Grawlix at The Bug Theatre on Fridays; on Propaganda at Lannie’s Cabaret on Sundays; and now on TEXT-A-SAURUS at The Bug on Saturdays.

“I’m happy to have a home at The Bug Theatre for my fledgling show,” said host Deacon Gray, “and I look forward to sharing talent with the other shows during this very cool week of comedy.” In fact, San Francisco comedian Chris Garcia has agreed to join the line-up for the March 30 TEXT-A-SAURUS, joining local comics Bobby Crane and Ben Roy. “Having a full week of shows should allow us to attract some really cool comedians to Denver,” said Gray.

The next TEXT-A-SAURUS is March 30. Doors open at 10 p.m.; show starts at 10:30. Tickets are $10. Seating is general admission. The Bug Theatre is located at 3654 Navajo Street. Their phone number is 303-477-9984, and their website is www.bugtheatre.org.

Bug Theatre & Deacon Gray - TEXT-A-SAURUS - Saturday, March 30 @ 10:30 p.m. and continuing on the last Saturday of each month. $10. Seating is general admission. The Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo Street., Denver, CO 80212. 303-477-9984 - www.bugtheatre.org.