Held2gether, Improv for Life to Return to Long Beach Playhouse for 4th Year

Held2gether, Improv for Life is returning for a 4th year as a part of the Collaborative at the Long Beach Playhouse, with its' latest set of original sketches, Sketchily Ever After. The original sketch compilation, which has sold out its' weekend run each year, has now been expanded to four shows, running Fridays and Saturdays, March 10-18th in the Studio Theatre.

The "Saturday Night Live" style event has become an annual favorite and a staple of the theatre's Studio Collaborative season. The all-new show returns with a dozen sketches touching upon universal relationship flaws, outrageous characters, and commentary on today's pop culture.

Audiences at last year's In Sketch We Trust were treated to sketches that featured a satire on folk-singing Trump supporters, the true story of Adam and Eve, and a Superhero musical.

Sketchily Ever After promises to be an equally entertaining evening of comedy, pushing the envelope at all corners. The cast, all locals form Long Beach and the South Bay, features many favorites of Held2gether award-winning improv troupe, as well has some talented 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. "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." describes director Darren Held. "It's kept the show fresh and spontaneous for seven 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. Darren is thrilled to team up with the Long Beach Playhouse Studio Collaborative to showcase creative original programming from Long Beach artists."We're excited to have Held2gether back in our Collaborative," says Playhouse Executive Director Madison Mooney. "Their shows always bring in a fun audience and everyone leaves smiling from laughing."

Tickets for Sketchily Ever After are $15 and available through the box office of the Long Beach Playhouse (562-494-1014, option 1) or at lbplayhouse.org.

Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA, 90804, right across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, March 10th -18th. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm.