Looking to join an improv group? The very funny Rookie Card [profile] guys are looking for a few members and it could be you! If interested, e-mail rookiecardimprov@gmail.com with your availability, experience and anything else you think is applicable to be scheduled for an audition. It all happens this Sunday between 11AM-2PM Philadelphia Latvian Society (531 North 7th Street).

And Here’s the Kicker is a must read for anyone who has ever put pen to paper in attempt to make others laugh. The brainchild of Mike Sacks, a former writer at The Washington Post who now contributes to Vanity Fair, the book features interviews with a wide variety of comedy writers about the craft of comedy writing. Far more than a Chris Farley Show-esque series of sitdowns where the author asks inane questions like “remember when you created The Office?,” these interviews tend to feature slightly less famous subjects taking far more extensively about process – when they write, what they feel informs their style and approach to humor, the mechanics of a good monologue joke, etc.

Not only do these slightly less obvious choices (he interviews Stephen Merchant instead of Ricky Gervais, Allison Silverman instead of Stephen Colbert, and Paul Feig instead of Judd Apatow) create more honest and interesting interviews, but the range of time he covers is pretty incredible. The oldest subject in the book wrote for Milton Berle, and he includes people behind some of the most recent comedy touchstones like Arrested Development and The Colbert Report). After that he does manage to land some big names, too: Dick Cavett, David Sedaris, and Dave Barry all have great interviews in the book.

Sacks deserves a lot of credit for his editing of each interviewee as well. Knowing what to include, what to cut from the several hours he spent with each person must have been a challenge… but it seems like the best its have all made it to the page. Sacks also knows how to get a subject’s voice and cadence across on the page – an under appreciated skill – and his capturing of the quirks of language and recall that, say, 93-year-old Irving Brecher had in person really add something as you read. Every interview has little nuggets tucked away in it, and almost every writer was a story that is entertaining or at least relates a behind the scenes sense of something every comedy nerd knows. Bottom line: for the price of admission, the wisdom and anecdotes contained within this book are best deal you’ll find. Next time you’re in the bookstore ignore that “Comedy Bible” with the wacky cover and grab this one instead.

Greg Maughan is of the founder and current executive director of the Philly Improv Theater. There are great live shows at the theater this week and next.

Look, don’t ask me…I just post these.

The Great Holtzie is the funniest (and ONLY) stand up comedian for kids. Holtzie has thrown the rules of children’s entertainment out the window. Gone are the goofy costumes, creepy makeup and condescending tone. Holtzie insists on treating children like little people rather than little kids. And he has created an act that will make mom and dad laugh just as hard as their six-year-old.

From the absurd to classic slapstick, The Great Holtzie’s jokes captivate everyone, from preschoolers to parents. Whether he is arguing with a See n’ Say or taking a bite out of a “worm burger,” his hysterical routine keeps even the most active children glued to their seats. The Great Holtzie’s sharp comedy reflexes guarantee fits of laughter and screams of delight.

3PM, $10, Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA, 19103, 215-496-9001, ticket website.

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Love the new and experimental comedy you see at local open mics, but don’t want to miss quality headlining sets from the areas’ top stand-ups? Try PJI’s Open Mic Sandwich: A monthly serving of meaty stand-up comedy from up-and-comers served on a crusty Brioche of Philly’s best comedians. It’s quality laughter at an unbeatable price (free!).

Open mic sign-up at 8pm; show begins at 8:30pm.

This month’s Featured Comedians: Darryl Charles, Kent Haines, and Aaron Hertzog.

8PM, FREE, Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19107-4913, 484-557-1420, contactpji@gmail.com.

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Chances are you’ll see some interesting characters on stage at an improv show. But Victorian time-traveling women? That’s exactly what Cecily and Gwendolyn’s Fanastical Balloon Ride is, playing now through January 31st at The Latvian Society and produced by the Philadelphia Joke Initiative.

Although details are murky, it appears that Cecily (Karen Getz) and Gwendolyn (Kelly Jennings) have traveled through time to Philadelphia to study our culture. Their “stage” is on the floor of the hall with the audience’s seats in a circle around the performers. There are tables throughout the room with observational material; one table has some random supplies and a microscope. Another has various literature, dictionaries and a Barbie DVD. You see, the two woman are here to observe our customs, dialect, and way of life.

Essentially they do this through what would be considered by a stand-up comedian as “crowd work.” They ask members of the audience questions and being that they are expressive characters in control of the room, the answers are usually short and shy in response, and usually followed by giggling. It happened to even myself, I meant to take some pictures of the two, but never felt like I had a good moment to do so. Even if they weren’t looking at me, they would surely hear the snap of my camera and they would point me to out to everyone else. What was I doing with a camera, they would surely ask. They weren’t supposed to be the ones observed, after all.

Comedy, for the most part, comes from honesty and Getz and Jennings extend this to the audience. As they ask questions, they “observe” their subjects and their body language, ticks, tone of voice and more. They play off of these things for the humor and at times it appears that we learn a thing or two about the audience members, provided that they are telling the truth. Additionally, they ask members of the audience to draw and take notes throughout the evening and their review of these at the end of the show is yet another way to observe their subjects.

Not much is disclosed about Cecily and Gwendolyn, however. Seemingly there’s a more of a back story there, but they didn’t spend a lot of time on themselves. At the show that I went to, they discussed eating dinner in Chinatown and wondered if they should speak Chinese there. But Mandarin or Cantonese? Cecily remarked that her Mandarin was very rusty. So have they traveled all over the world? For how long? Is Cecily a lesbian? Could Gwendolyn be as well? Hmm.

Playing through the end of January, Cecily and Gwendolyn’s Fanastical Balloon Ride is worth seeing before presumably they go off to the next town, in perhaps a different time.

As Matt Nelson at Phillyimprov.com reported yesterday, there are three more Philly comedy shows this weekend to benefit Haiti:

Tonight at 10AM, improv group King Friday will be donating all of the proceeds from their monthly BYOB pay-what-you-can show at Studio 34 in West Philadelphia to UNICEF. [show info]

The N Crowd will donate proceeds to Red Cross from their weekly show at The Actors Center tomorrow evening at 8PM [show info].

And on Saturday night at 7:30 [show info] and 10PM [show info], ComedySportz will donate proceeds to Mercy Corps.

It’s also worth noting that there is another benefit this weekend. Pat House, Carolyn Busa, Chip Chantry and Jared Bilski will be performing on Saturday to benefit The Children of Marjorie Gormley Goodwin Fund. [show info]

The N Crowd performs improv entirely dependent on suggestions provided by the audience. When you come, you’re expected to have a slew of things to yell out when asked for suggestions. Come on out and see why according to the Philly Metro The N Crowd is “keeping Philly funny” and Philly Style Magazine said was ”Philadelphia’s premier improv comedy troupe.” Get the best entertainment that $10 can legally buy and what Fox 29’s Hot List said was the “Best Comedy Club” in Philadelphia.

8PM, $10 advance / $15 at door, Actors Center, 257 N 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, phillyncrowd.com.

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Look, you don’t need me telling you that the situation in Haiti right now is awful. But if you are looking to donate some funds while seeing a great comedy show at the same time, think about making it out tonight to Connie’s Ric Rac for Bedtime Stories, the monthly themed sketch show [show info]. According to host/producer of the show, Gregg Gethard, all proceeds from the show will go to Haiti relief:

One of the coolest things about running Bedtime Stories is that, every so often, we get to raise money for some pretty great causes. We’re partnering up with the Samuel Dalembert Foundation next week in order to raise money for relief efforts in Haiti. The earthquake there is one of the worst tragedies of our lifetime; any little bit can really help out since, even in the best of times, a lot of people who live in Port-Au-Prince don’t have access to running water and proper health care.

In case you don’t know, Samuel Dalembert plays for the Sixers and was born in Haiti. His foundation was set up in order to assist children in his homeland. The foundation is now focusing on providing relief efforts since the tragedy of this past week.

Any money we make from the show is going to go to the The Samuel Dalembert Foundation. Also, we’re going to pass around a bucket (or something) so people can toss in some extra money.

Please come to this. On top of being for a really good cause, it’s going to be a great show. The topic is Philadelphia and we’ve got a bunch of awesome acts performing, including, for the first time at Bedtime Stories, the Hopper Brothers!

Also slated to be on the show are Jon Goff, Secret Pants, Meg and Rob, Camp Woods, Randi Warhol, Feeko Brothers and more.

The Comics Comic has a listing of other relief shows (pretty much all in NYC). And if you can’t make it to the show, there’s a list of good relief organizations here.

Monday Madness is the brainchild of B-Phlat. The main objective is to bring comedy to the after-work crowd and extend the weekend. You’ve heard of Manic Mondays, signifying the drudgery of a Monday work day. Monday Madness is just the opposite! We’re changing the mind set of a Monday work day. Our goal is to encourage people to celebrate the week by starting off with a laugh right after work. Monday Madness at Helium Comedy Club offers downtown dwellers the convenience of walking to the show after work, enjoying a free buffet, drink specials and a hilarious show from 5:00-8:30 p.m.

Starring DAMON WILLIAMS, JOE DeROSA & Host, B-PHLAT

5:30PM, $20, Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA, 19103, 215-496-9001, ticket website.

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