Killing My Lobster

KML Plays with Beckett

Ian — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:15:45 +0000

ACT’s phenomenal run of Beckett’s ENDGAME has more than just the legendary Bill Irwin to brag about. Now it has us!
Join us following the 8 p.m. performance on Thursday, May 24, as Killing My Lobster presents a hilarious spin on the themes and characters of some of Beckett’s most famous works, from Endgame and Play to Waiting for Godot.

The performance will begin 15 minutes after the final curtain (approximately 10:15 p.m.). Possible sketches include “Hunger End Games,” “Cooking with Clov,” and a speed-dating sketch featuring Beckett characters.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. Ticketholders for the May 24 performance will receive priority seating but must RSVP-information will be emailed to you separately. Non-ticketholders who wish to attend can add their names to the waitlist by sending an email to events@act-sf.org with their name and requested number of seats (limit two seats per person).

Sketch Comedy Writing: The Tools

miriam — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:05:13 +0000

Now that you’ve caught the sketch comedy-writing bug and you have a foundation of skills to build off of, it’s time to crank it up a notch. In The Tools Class you’ll be taught how to develop, and improve your process as a comedic writer in order to get laughs of any situation and maximize your writing potential by learning the P.U.N.C.H method.

We’ll also watch Videos of some of the greatest sketches ever writing and we’ll workshop the sketches you have written in previous KML writing classes. The skills you learn from this method will help you to write for many different types of sketches including: character-based sketches, genre sketches, topical sketches, and parodies. All KML writing students are encouraged to enroll (and re-enroll) in this class because you’ll learn to really finesse your sketches and learn to create well-rounded characters and situations.

Students of all levels are encouraged to apply!

This is a 3 Week class

Thursday nights: May 24th – June 7th 7pm-9:30pm

Instructor Paco Romane

Mark your calendars! Registration for this class opens Thursday May 3rd!

Prerequisites: current or past enrollment in sketch writing 1 or 2, OR outside experience writing sketch/scripts. If you have NOT taken writing classes with us but wish to take this class, please email classes@killingmylobster.com with a letter of interest describing your writing experiences.

Killing My Lobster Chops Down the Family Tree

Ian — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:07:34 +0000

Killing My Lobster leaves no family stone unturned as they wrap their claws around Prop 8, public nursing, sibling rivalry, and negligent parents! From The Brady Bunch to the Manning brothers, no family goes unscathed in this raucous slashing of the ties that bind!

Dates:
Thursday April 26, 2012 – Sunday May 13, 2012

Prices:
$10.00 – $22.00

Location:
TJT Theatre
470 Florida between 17th & Mariposa
San Francisco, CA 94110

Buy tickets here!

And read this piece about KML by NBC Bay Area here!

And this by SF Weekly right here! It features these great photos by Erin Browner:

And here’s some photos from the show:

Jon Barcellos, Louise Tremblay, Ally Johnson and Jeff Moran

Jeff Moran, Calum Grant, Millie DeBenedet and Emily Rosenthal

The Cast of Chops Down the Family Tree

Jeff Moran and Ally Johnson

The Cast of Chops Down the Family Tree

Matt Gunnison and Rana Weber in “Some White Family”

Killing My Lobster Pops the Question 5.0

Ian — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:58:01 +0000

We’re bringing back a fifth round of mind-melting trivia! Help KML reach its 2012 fund-raising goal. Bring your friends, your noggins, and a little cash to one of our favorite watering holes, and enjoy an evening of food, drinks, and some brain-twisting competition, hosted by Allison Page and Jon Wolanske.

Important Notes:
* A regular ticket costs $40 and reserves a table for a team of 4 people.
* As this is a group event, please bring 3 friends with you so you have a full team!
* $40 admission price does not include food or drink.

April 5th, 2012
8 pm @Buck Tavern, 1655 Market Street, SF

Buy tickets here!

“Dear Esther”

andy — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:29:48 +0000

“Dear Esther” is written by Esther also known as Queen of Shushan also known as Queen Jewess also known as ‘the one who saved the Jews the first time’. It is the most popular and widely syndicated column in all of Shushan known for its honesty and biblical perspective.

Dear Esther,

I’ve been drinking the wine sweetened with lead as the apothecary prescribed and I’ve been soaking in camel poop and ground figs for months, but now my skin tone is uneven, especially in my T-zone. What’s your secret? Signed, Jasmine

Jasmine,

You won’t believe this, but your Auntie Esther was a pageant queen back in her day. I was a real hot hamantaschen. And you know, The King wasn’t the only one sniffing my babushka. They were all interested, even the eunuchs. I could have had anyone. My secret? Lots of kugel. Gives the King a little something to grab onto on those cold Shushan nights.

Dear Esther,

We think our daughter may be dating a Moor but we’re not sure how to bring it up. We have nothing against them as a people, but we are a very traditional family. Should we stone her? Agustus

Dear Agustus,

Stoning? For me, it’s overkill. But what do I know? I’m just a simple jewish girl who likes to defend her people and massacre others. That’s me. I don’t judge. Even when I see what’s going on at the Feldman’s across the street. The coming and going at all hours of the night? I just keep to myself. Like I said to my fried, Myrtle, is it my business that the youngest girl is a harlot? No. I stay out of it. But just between us, I think its drugs. You don’t get that thin milking goats.

Dear Esther, my husband has left the barn door open again and all the goats have escaped. What do I do?

Dear Goat Rodeo,

Oy. My husband is forgetful too. Always with the “do you know where I left my favorite rope belt, tell me again who saved my life, what time is dinner with the Goldblatts on Thursday?” It’s a real schnickle in my guggannah. Here’s what you should do. Get yourself a nice eunuch to help out around the yurt. And have some brisket. You’re too thin.

Esther

Whole Megillah Press

Ian — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:02:27 +0000

Our current sketch comedy show is underway! And while we wish it were Purim everyday of the year, the show closes THIS weekend. We have a special performance on the holy holiday itself (march 7th) at the JCC on 3200 California St and remaining performances (March 8 – 10) will be at the Jewish Theater on 470 Florida St. Grab your yarmulke (free drink if you dress in something BC-style!) and c’mon down to the TJT on Florida St. We are kvelling, and so, too, are some local papers. Check out the sweet press we’ve received:

This one’s a FULL PAGE spread in the pink section of the Chronicle. Online version is here.

SF Weekly review:

http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2012/03/the_whole_megillah_2_uncut_why.php

SF Weekly’s top pick:

http://www.voiceplaces.com/the-whole-magillah-2-uncut-san-francisco-bay-area-2955550-e/

7 X 7′s Hot Event:

http://www.7×7.com/arts-culture/weeks-hottest-events-michael-lewis-zola-jesus-and-white-elephant-sale

The Whole Megillah 2: Uncut

miriam — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:04:27 +0000

The Whole Megillah 2: Uncut

Purim Sketch Comedy with Killing My Lobster

Directed by The Hub’s Dan Wolf

Comedy troupe Killing My Lobster and The Hub at the JCCSF return with their popular treif Purim Sketch Comedy Show. This year they are bringing back old favorites (Seinfeld, Drag Queens and Interventions, anyone?) and returning to the writing room to see what other trouble they can get into. One thing is for certain: the Book of Esther will never be the same.

March 1, 2, 8 & 9, 8:00 pm
March 3 & 10, 7:00 pm & 10:00 pm
The Jewish Theatre
470 Florida St

March 7, 8:00 pm
JCCSF’s Kanbar Hall

Tickets available here

We’re back at SF Sketchfest!

miriam — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:45:42 +0000

We’re Back! Killing My Lobster Performs 2 Shows in SF Sketchfest 2012

To say we are excited about performing in SF Sketchfest 2012 would be an understatement! KML will be performing our “Best of Show 2011” show. You’ll see the best sketches and videos from 2011, plus we’ll be premiering a brand new comedy video, and dusting off a “Greatest Hit” sketch from 2006’s “KML Faces The Music”! Also, our musical accompaniment for both shows will be the wildly popular

and hilarious band, The Boneless Children Foundation.

The Huffington Post picked KML as a “Highlight” from this year’s SF Sketchfest! Read
all about it here.

On January 28^th, we are honored to be the opening act for Rick Overton’s new show “Substitute Global Ambassador”. Come see us open with a 30-minute set and stay for Rick’s hilarious new show!

The show will be recorded by Sirius Radio and The
Raw Dog Comedy Channel for a later
broadcast, so let your laughter be heard!

Also check us out in San Francisco Magazine!

On February 1^st, we are HEADLINING and will treat you to a full hour set from the best sketches and videos of our 2011 shows! Our “Best Of Show 2011” show includes sketches about sexy butter churning, to murder on a chessboard, to a typical dysfunctional family celebrating Arbor Day. Not to mention a few of our best videos from last year. This is going to be a great night and we are pleased to be working with the comedy act “Thunderstood”.

KML with Rick Overton (opening)

WHAT: Best of Show 2011 show
WHERE: The Eureka Theater
WHEN: Saturday January 28^th
TIME: 8 pm
TICKETS: http://www.sfsketchfest.com/schedule/#Jan282012

KML with Thunderstood (headlining)

WHAT: Best of Show 2011 show
WHERE: The Eureka Theater
WHEN: Wednesday February 1st
TIME: 8 pm
TICKETS: http://www.sfsketchfest.com/schedule/#Feb012012

KML Theater Space Update

todd — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 07:16:28 +0000

We wanted to wish you a happy holiday and provide an update on the Kickstarter project you generously supported this fall. In case you don’t recall, you helped Killing My Lobster reach our goal of securing a permanent home and theater at a commercial space formerly known as Darlene’s Fabric Store at Mission and 24th in San Francisco.

Unfortunately, after nearly six months of discussions and two months of actual negotiations – and shortly after our Kickstarter campaign had closed – we received an email from the real estate agency representing the owners of the building saying, without explanation, that the landlord had declined our offer to lease the space. So we are sorry to report that, despite our best efforts, we are at an impasse with the landlord and do not expect to come to an agreement with them in the coming months, if at all.

Having received your support in our efforts to secure this space, we fully appreciate any further questions this may raise. If you are curious as to exactly how the negotiations transpired, let us know and we can provide greater detail.

So what’s next? Simple: we stay committed to securing a space.

We’re still looking for ways to continue the discussion with the landlord in Mission Street. Until someone else signs a lease on the space, we’ll continue to pursue it. We’ve reached out to Supervisor David Campos, who represents the neighborhood in question, and we’re hoping that he might contact the landlords on our behalf. And we’re acting on other ideas of how to proactively and productively reengage the owners. Along these lines, we have discussed the situation with our friends in the Bay Area theatrical and nonprofit communities in hope of strengthening our position in future real estate negotiations, whether with this landlord or another one.

What if that space doesn’t work out? We have some other ideas.

There are more than a few “For Rent” signs in windows around the Mission (and the rest of the City). After our fundraising success and all of the planning we’ve done in 2011, we’re in a stronger position than ever before to secure a permanent home. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our fans this year, it’s that you are just as ready for us to have a place to call home as we are. Whether that home is at Mission and 24th or elsewhere in the City, we are committed to keeping the search going.

What happens to the money we raised? We intend to use it as planned, just not right away and not at the space we’d hoped for. This is not an unprecedented situation; a similar thing happened with our friends at the Parkway Theater in Oakland.

So, back to Darlene’s.

We wish we had better news as we wrap up 2011 and enter our fifteenth year – that we’re ready to sign that damned lease. But regardless of what happens with Darlene’s, we are moving toward finding a real home for Killing My Lobster. We’re ready for it and we can do it. All of our hard work the past few months has shown us that.

We should still celebrate, because even if we don’t know exactly where we’ll land, we know we’re pointed in the right direction. We know how to get there. And we couldn’t have gotten as far as we have without you. We can never thank you enough for confirming our belief that a home for KML is more than possible, it’s inevitable.

Thank you, and we’ll continue to provide you updates as we begin 2012.

Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year,

Shane O’Connor
President, Board of Directors
The Lobster Theater Project

KMLZ Holidaze

andy — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:06:58 +0000

San Francisco’s premiere sketch comedy group, Killing My Lobster, teams up with the Bay Area’s best new works company, Z Space, for a special one-night-only event: “KMLZ Holidaze.” A little bit “30 Rock,” a little bit “Star Search,” and a whole lot of holiday madness, KMLZ Holidaze answers the question: What do you get when you lock a dozen comedic writers/performers in a room for 50 hours between Thanksgiving and Christmas? Something weird, funny, and holiday-lightful.

A veritable advent calendar of hilarity, KMLZ Holidaze will feature sketches and shenanigans all about family, tradition, that weird channel on the TV that plays the fireplace, animals singing Christmas carols, the proper spelling of Channukah, yule logs, fruitcakes, and nutjobs.

Join us for this one-night only holiday celebration on December 17th at 7pm and 10pm.

Buy your tickets here and now: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/209441