Earlier this month the lineup for the Philadelphia Improv Festival, now in its fifth year, was released on the festival’s website. The festival has been grown bigger with every passing year and like usual the lineup is a good mix of local groups with out-of-towners (this time from New York, L.A., D.C., Chicago, New Jersey, Baltimore, North Carolina, and Boston).

“One area that we’re focusing on showcasing is the phenomenal female talent this city has,” said Executive Producer of the festival Matt Nelson via e-mail. As such, there will be improv sets from local female comedians in groups like BWP, Illegal Refill, Real Housewives of Philadelphia and other groups including New York’s Bombardo and other improvisers Hannah Foell of Boston, Molly Murchie of DC and Brigid Boyle, Marcy Jarreau, Maddy Mako, Desiree Nash and Tara Copeland, all of NYC.

The big draw this year, however, is Baby Wants Candy, a Chicago-based improvisational musical group whose alumni includes Seth Meyers and Rachel Dratch of Saturday Night Live and Jack McBrayer of 30 Rock. “I’ve been wanting them at PHIF from the beginning and can hardly contain my excitement,” says Nelson. “Baby Wants Candy is taking over our entire 8PM block on Friday to do two shows…first is a short segment called The Dream. They will interview a special guest celebrity about their day, and will create a 15 minute musical based on that. Then they will do their classic full musical. The audience suggests a title and they’ll create an hour long musical on the spot with a full band (featuring among others Johnny Pisano – bass player for Marah). BWC is truly one of the most mind blowingly impressive theater experiences I’ve had the pleasure to witness, and I’m really excited to bring them to Philly.”

The fest takes place October 1st-3rd at the Society Hill Playhouse (507 S. 8th) right off of South Street. In addition to the three days of shows, there will be workshops held by Zach Ward and members of Baby Wants Candy. Last year, C vs. A interviewed the producers of the festival (Rick Horner is no longer part of the team, Jason Stockdale takes his place).