Magnet Theater: The Really, Really, Stupendously Nice Person

I had the pleasure of catching my first show, a graduation show, at The Magnet Theater on 29th Street in the city. As a huge fan of UCB and knowing of The People's Improv, I was interested to catch the vibe from this place as I had not heard about it previously. They have 3 dollar Red Stripe, so it's gotta be good right?

Turns out, it's very unassuming. In fact, I'm kinda charmed by it. There's just an air about it that says they are under the radar, and not even in a hip way. There's a weird empathy that I have for it, as well as sympathy for some reason. Just as makeshift as most small theaters, with a table for a bar and a podium for a box office, a small lobby for people to hang, and one, ungodly one, unisex bathroom, the stadium seating is really nice and comfortable. The instructor for the class, Mr. Armando Diaz, is somewhat older and more experienced than many of the improv performers I've seen, and as well, seems really encouraging. Like taking a class is actually tempting for someone like me with limited ability. The stage is a box in front with two doors to the back, and there's a good view from any seat as members of the class sat by the bathroom to the side.

Even their website, which can be found here, is quite low-key comparatively, there's no padded patting-themselves-on-the-back or hard sell sort of thing like some of the other sites do. Doesn't seem to carry as many variety of classes as The People's, but hey, that's just fine.

With shows nearly every night, including mixers (chance for people to get, you know, really improv-y and drunk) and Thursday Night Out special (one 5 dollar ticket gets you in for the night, dollar beers), you can't get much cheaper than Magnet Theater for stripped down fun entertainment.


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Gashouse Gorillas - Death of the American Dream Part 4 (yes it's the last part)

So here we are at the final part, the not so dramatic but very amusing finale to a tale of two shakes.



Go to their YouTube channel for more artsy fartsy sketches.

Gashouse Gorillas - Death of the American Dream Part 3

Here we are, the dramatic third part of the flaming doc, Death of the American Dream, or DAD, or DOTAD.



As usual, you can see Gashouse Gorillas material on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/gashousecomedy

Gashouse Gorillas - Death of the American Dream Part 2

Here it is folks, Death of the American Dream part 2. It's almost as good as Godfather 2. But not as good as Steel Magnolias.



As always, you can find those Gorillas on YouTube here.

The Gashouse Gorillas - Death Of The American Dream Part 1

Here it is folks, part 1 of a 4 part series (hopefully with that phrasing it'll draw comparisons to 48 Hours Mystery). But it ain't no mystery. We see how Two Shakes of a Lamb's Tail comes about, and with a little help from fellow UCB classmate Jason Curtis, the round of very gentle men is complete. Part 2 to come next week.

Death of the American Dream - A Gashouse Gorillas Production

They're back with a vengeance folks, it's New York's finest and less lamest comedy group of perverted, desperate souls, The Gashouse Gorillas. No, not that jazz band, so disavow all your assumptions.

Check out the trailer for the 4 part series, Death of the American Dream. It's a low key, affecting effort, an unrequited love story of a bar, an establishment that meant something unique to a community years ago. Two friends. Only one will have his heartbroken, and the other, heart attacked by a thirst for the good stuff.



Stay tuned for Part 1 later this week, or if you can't wait, check them out on YouTube.