A Wild Ride Thru Alt-Comedy

Philadelphia comedy fans with a taste for the bizarre and unconventional found a haven in InterAct Theatre Company’s “Variety Pack.” Held over the first two weekends in May at the Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake (302 S Hicks St.), the festival delivered exactly what it promised: a entirely unpredictable experience, a wild twist on stand-up, improv, sketch, and other forms of comedy.

The lineup featured everything from live cartoons to an improvised episode of HBO’s “Sex and the City,” and even a performance of the entire “Twilight” saga compressed into a single, breathless 60 minutes. For comedy lovers accustomed to the typical routines of mainstream comedy, “Variety Pack” offered a refreshing and often delightfully jarring alternative.

“Philly is full of weirdos! We have incredible stand-ups, brilliant improv, and an emerging sketch comedy scene, but there’s been a void when it comes to truly wild, out-of-the-box comedy,”

Chaz Martin, producer and InterAct Literary Manager

Martin added, “That space used to belong to the beloved Good Good Comedy, which closed in 2020. Variety Pack is here to bring that spirit back. If you like your comedy weird and unpredictable, this festival is for you.”

Highlights from the Festival Lineup

The festival kicked off on Thursday, May 1st, with ‘Have You Seen My House?,’ described as a “whirlwind cabaret” featuring songs made famous by Patti Smith, Bette Midler, and Dolly Parton. The weekend continued with a diverse array of shows, including:

• ‘Live Theatre, Live!’
• ‘Two Letters’
• ‘yes and the City’ (an improvised “Sex and the City” episode)
• ‘Cartoon Club’
• ‘The Entire F***ing Twilight Saga…in 60 Minutes’
• ‘Clip show,’ a live comedy show hosted by R. Eric Thomas and Chris Newcomer.

The second weekend included encore performances of some of the most popular shows, alongside new additions such as:

• ‘Lady Laughs Pageant,’ a drag king pageant featuring Philly’s only all-women and queer comedy troupe.
• ‘One Tan Show,’ a one-woman comedy show by Tan hoang.

Why Alternative Comedy Matters: A U.S. Outlook

The rise of alternative comedy in cities like Philadelphia reflects a broader trend in American entertainment. Audiences are increasingly seeking out niche forms of entertainment that cater to specific tastes and sensibilities. This mirrors the fragmentation of media consumption habits,with individuals curating their own personalized entertainment experiences through streaming services,podcasts,and social media.

The “Variety Pack” festival, with its embrace of the weird and unpredictable, speaks to this desire for something different. In a cultural landscape often dominated by mainstream entertainment, alternative comedy provides a space for experimentation, risk-taking, and challenging conventional norms.

Consider the success of shows like “Saturday Night Live” in its early years. While now a mainstream institution, it began as a subversive alternative to traditional network television, pushing boundaries and introducing a new generation of comedic talent. Similarly, the popularity of stand-up comedians like Maria Bamford, known for her surreal and frequently enough deeply personal humor, demonstrates the growing appetite for comedy that defies easy categorization.

The Economic Impact of Local Arts

Festivals like “Variety Pack” not only enrich the cultural landscape of Philadelphia but also contribute to the local economy. They attract audiences who spend money at local restaurants, bars, and hotels, supporting small businesses and creating jobs.Furthermore, they provide opportunities for local artists and performers to showcase their talents and build their careers.