March Madness is Over, But ImprovBoston Keeps Competition Alive

New England's longest-running comedy theater presents two comedy tournaments to keep the competitive spirit going: The Improv Classic: Boston Edition (a showcase of Boston's best improvisers affiliated with the popular Chicago tournament) and StandUp ThrowDown (a standup comedy tournament where more than 48 local comics compete for the title of "Boston's Funniest"). Each show pairs playful competition with high-energy hilarity for one relentless month of gut-busting comedy.

This month, ImprovBoston debuts New England's version of the wildly popular Chicago-based comedy tournament: The Improv Classic. Boston-area improvisers partner up to compete for the audience's laughter in this month-long comedy extravaganza. Each show features a special performance by a local indie team.

Inspired by the Second City's Improv Classic, producers of the Boston version hope for the same crowd responses as the popular Chicago version produced by The Upright Citizens' Brigade's Kevin Mullaney.

The Chicago version, created and produced by The Upright Citizens' Brigade's Kevin Mullaney, has become so popular that earlier this year, Mullaney approached ImprovBoston to produce a satellite version for the local comedy scene. Both Mullaney and ImprovBoston will look for the same crowd response the tournament has gained in Chicago.

"Improv is a tool for connecting people," explains ImprovBoston Lead Producer Mac Gostow. "Competition and improv comedy aren't typically paired, but friendly competition can be motivating and supportive."

Duos go head-to-head in the Finals on May 19th, all at 40 Prospect St in Central Square, Cambridge. Tickets are available at https://theimprovclassic.eventbrite.com.

Nearly 50 standup comedians will battle it out this month out in this year's StandUp ThrowDown. At the end, six final comics duke it out in a final fight for the audience's applause and adoration.

The comics compete in preliminary rounds and semifinals Saturday and Sunday nights at 9pm all month long.

"StandUp ThrowDown brings out the best of the best standup comedy in the Boston area," says People's Show producer Kevin Quigley. "And standup fans decide who wins."

Standup Throwdown preliminary and semifinal rounds take place May 6th-May 21st at 40 Prospect St in Central Square, Cambridge. Tickets are available at http://www.improvboston.com/shows/battle-royale and http://www.improvboston.com/shows/peoplescomedy.

The StandUp ThrowDown finale takes place May 26th. Tickets are available at https://ibstandupthrowdown2017.eventbrite.com.

ImprovBoston
Unexpected. Every time.

For over 30 years, ImprovBoston has been New England's leading theater and school dedicated to the art of comedy in all its forms. Voted "Best of Boston" by The Phoenix, The Improper Bostonian, and The Weekly Dig, ImprovBoston performers, teachers and students have included film stars, Emmy Award-winning comedians, and acclaimed producers, directors, musicians and writers.

ImprovBoston alumni are featured on Conan, Late Night with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, America's Got Talent, Funniest Wins, Playboy, Last Comic Standing and John Oliver's Last Week Tonight, to name a few. In 2014, the Independent Reviewers of New England honored ImprovBoston with an award recognizing its longstanding contributions to the Boston theater community. As a nonprofit arts organization, ImprovBoston serves the community through laughter with youth outreach programs, workshops for businesses, scholarships, a national touring company and, of course, performances at its theater complex in Central Square, Cambridge.

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