Un-Cabaret facts for kids

UnCabaret is a unique comedy group from Los Angeles. They create funny shows for live audiences, TV, and the internet. It's known for its different style of comedy, often called 'alternative comedy'.

History of UnCabaret

UnCabaret was started by Beth Lapides, a comedian who wanted a new kind of comedy show. In the late 1980s, she felt that regular comedy clubs were not exciting enough. So, she began putting on shows in different places. In 1988, Beth and writer Greg Miller officially launched UnCabaret. Their first show was at The Women's Building in Los Angeles.

Finding a Home at LunaPark

In 1993, UnCabaret found a home at LunaPark, a music club. For seven years, every Sunday, Beth brought together amazing comedians. These included Patton Oswalt, Judy Toll, Taylor Negron, Bob Odenkirk, Julia Sweeney, and Janeane Garofalo. The goal was to tell funny stories without a typical stand-up routine. Performers used personal stories and free-flowing ideas. This was different from the usual joke setup and punchline style.

Influence and Growth

Some traditional comedians did not understand UnCabaret's unique style. However, the show quickly gained a loyal following. It became very popular with fans who loved its fresh approach. UnCabaret also inspired many other 'alternative comedy' shows. This new style spread from Los Angeles to New York and across North America.

In 1997, the TV channel Comedy Central created a special UnCabaret show. Beth Lapides hosted it, and it featured many of the group's popular comedians. When LunaPark closed, UnCabaret moved to other venues. These included the HBO Workspace, The Knitting Factory, and M-Bar. They continued to create personal story-based comedy. More comedians and writers joined the group over time.

Return of UnCabaret

UnCabaret took a break in 2008. But in 2012, Beth Lapides brought it back. She teamed up with Mitch Kaplan, a musical director and producer. They made the show even better. They also mixed new comedians with many of the original performers. Famous names like Sarah Silverman, Roseanne Barr, and Marc Maron have appeared.

UnCabaret on TV and Film

UnCabaret has created several projects for television and film.

• Four episodes were made for Amazon in 2012.
  • Episode 1 featured Greg Behrendt, Sandra Bernhard, and Rob Delaney.
  • Episode 2 included Margaret Cho, Dana Gould, and Tig Notaro.
  • Episode 3 showcased Greg Fitzsimmons and Jen Kirkman.
  • Episode 4 had Rory Scovel and The Sklar Brothers.
• A special TV show aired on Comedy Central in 1997.

Other Creative Projects

UnCabaret also produces other interesting shows.

Say the Word

"Say the Word" is a comedy show where writers tell their own true stories. These writers often work on TV comedy shows. Some of them include Cindy Chupack, Merrill Markoe, and Kevin Nealon.

The Other Network

UnCabaret also created The Other Network. This was a festival that showed TV pilot episodes that never aired. The creators of these shows, like Conan O'Brien and Judd Apatow, introduced them.

UnCabaret on Radio and Audio

UnCabaret has also been heard on radio and through audio recordings.

• They produced 100 episodes of "Radio UnCabaret" for Comedy World and Sirius Satellite Radio from 2000 to 2001.
• UnCabaret has been featured on popular NPR radio shows. These include "This American Life" and "All Things Considered."
• They have released several comedy albums. Some titles are "Freak Weather Feels Different" and "The Un & Only."
• Podcasts of UnCabaret shows are available online.

Comedy Workshops

Beth Lapides, the founder of UnCabaret, teaches a special workshop. It's called The Comedian's Way. In this class, she teaches people how to tell personal stories in a funny way. She teaches privately in Los Angeles. She has also taught at places like UCLA Extension and Humber College.