ImprovBoston Grows Sketch Comedy Influence With Two New Shows

ImprovBoston has been the heart and soul of Boston comedy for over 30 years. With 20 shows each week, Wednesday through Sunday, ImprovBoston is an ever­evolving laugh factory representing New England's greatest comedy talent.

The Gift of Laughter: ImprovBoston presents the Holiday Spectacular
ImprovBoston brings good tidings and great comedy with the 2013 Holiday Spectacular. This wintery­mix of comedy sketches, song, and irreverence will disrupt traditional seasonal nostalgia with an in­your­face, edgy, fresh approach to the holidays. Suitable for a PG­13 and above audience, this year's completely original Holiday Spectacular features an array of intelligent, engaging and laugh­filled sketches that answer timely questions including: What do you get a robot for Christmas? How many atheists can dance on the head of a pin? When will Yankee Candle finally cash in on Hanukkah? What do you bring to a Kwanzaa party?

For the past 13 years, ImprovBoston has produced hilarious holiday shows featuring the top improvisors in Boston. This year'sHoliday Spectacular allows ImprovBoston to flex its sketch prowess. A theater renown for pushing the boundaries of thecomedy arts, ImprovBoston is debuting the Holiday Spectacular to shine the light on scripted material giving some of the bestwriters and actors in Boston an opportunity to showcase their talents.

The Holiday Spectacular delivers the gift of laughter on Fridays in December (12/6-12/27) at 10pm. ImprovBoston provides additional performances of the Holiday Spectacular on Thursday, December 26 at 730PM, Friday December 27 at 8pm and Saturday December 28 at 8pm & 10pm. Suggested PG­13 audience. Tickets are $18/$14 for students at the door and online here.

ImprovBoston Unleashes Battle Royale: a comedy competition to­ the­ death

Battle Royale, Boston's bold new comedy competition, adds to ImprovBoston's influence as a leader in Sketch and Stand Up comedy. Battle Royale provides sketch teams and local comics throughout Boston a chance to showcase their talent. Battle Royale boasts a high energy, competitive format replete with local celebrity judges promising to engage audiences whilesupporting up-­and­-coming comedians.

Alternating between Sketch Battles and Stand Up Battles every other week, these 9PM Saturday performances make scriptedcomedy accessible to all. On Sketch Battle nights, two sketch comedy troupes go head to head for the title of Top Sketch Team.

A panel of guest industry judges, along with the audience vote, determines the night's champions. Battle Royale features arotating line­up of the best indie sketch teams in Boston. With a similar format, Stand Up Battles feature an ever­changing rosterof 4 local comics duking it out for the crowning glory.

Battle Royale will make its debut in the ImprovBoston Studio Theater on Saturday, December 7 with a Sketch Battle. Open run. For more information about this new show, a schedule of Sketch and Stand Up Battles and to buy tickets, visit www.improvboston.com/schedule.