One of the staples of Long Beach Playhouse’s Collaborative each year has been Held2gether, Improv for Life’s original sketch-comedy shows, and this year marks the fifth annual collaboration between the Long Beach entities.
The original sketch compilation has added a Thursday preview night, running March 1 to March 3 in the Studio Theatre. The all-new show returns with a dozen sketches touching upon universal relationships, the current political climate, outrageous characters and commentary on pop culture.
Audiences at last year’s Sketchily Ever After saw sketches that featured a planetary “bro-mance” between Saturn and Jupiter, the revelation behind the horrific introduction of dairy products and a burlesque ’20s singer at a 6-year-old’s birthday party.
Grass-Fed, Free-Range Sketch Show promises to be an equally entertaining evening of comedy, pushing the envelope at all corners. The cast includes veterans of the Held2gether award-winning improv troupe, as well has some newcomers. Their director is Held2gether founder and creative director Darren Held.
“Each of the original sketches were written by the performer themselves under a prompt from the director,” Held said. “They have 30 minutes to create a sketch idea, and then I guide them through it, fleshing out the tone and comic timing. In a way, the creative process is like a reality show. It’s kept the show fresh and spontaneous for eight years. Our fans really love it.”
The sketch show is part of the Held2gether improv comedy program that features classes in Long Beach including all levels of improv comedy, sketch writing and performance.
Held said he is thrilled to team up with the Long Beach Playhouse Studio Collaborative to showcase creative original programming from Long Beach artists.
“Our collaborative continues to strengthen each season, and Held2gether is a huge part of that,” said Long Beach Playhouse Executive Director Madison Mooney. “Their shows are fresh [and] hilarious and showcase Long Beach’s extreme talent, part of our ongoing mission here at Long Beach Playhouse.”
Tickets for Grass-Fed are $15 Friday and Saturday, and $10 for the preview Thursday night. They are now available through the box office of the Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., at (562) 494-1014, option 1) or at lbplayhouse.org.
Performances are 8pm Thursday, March 1 through Saturday, March 3. The box office is open Wednesday through Saturday from 3pm to 8pm.
Source: LB Playhouse
