Fest Spotlight on 161

Question time once again. You're thinking "Okay, dccomedyfest. I see you have lots of local acts, but where in the heck is WIT? I see ComedySportz, Poppycock, Grimprov, Season Six, Caveat, Jackie, T-Rexx, Chris White, Ryan Conners, Alicia Gomes, Dr. Fantastic, Bright Young Things, Baltimore Improv Group, Screaming Puppets, Basil White, Biscuitville, Rory Scoval, Seaton Smith, DCUP, Well Sung Players, Joe Recca, Rob Cantrell, Al Goodwin, TJ Miller, John Mumma, Danny Rouhier, Justin Schlegel, Vijai Nathan, Andy Campbell.... wow, that's over half the people who are from around here, but you get my point dccomedyfest, but where is WIT? No slight intended to acts from DC at the fest that weren't on this, but answer the question!"

We have WIT, but under their new onesixtyone name! Let's find out more about the change via spokesman Topher Bellavia:

dccf: What is the concept behind onesixtyone's new show?

Topher: We've always prided ourselves on our no rules, take no prisioners style of play. For this new run we've decided to try to color within the lines and take some prisoners. We've gone back to the basics. You know, like Picasso doing landscapes. Exactly like that.

dccf: How do the members of onesixtyone describe the show to their friends and family?

Topher: We don't try to explain ourselves. With longform improv the only explaination is to actually see it. It's undescribable, yet unmistakable. Like poetry. Or pornography.

dccf: Who makes up the cast of onesixtyone?

Topher: The show you'll be seeing is made up of Mark Chalfant, Tyler Korba, Topher Bellavia, Katie Carson, Brian Coleman, Michael Bass, Dave Johnson and Natasha Rothwell. That's also the order in which we entered the group. That's the only way I can remember it without forgettinganyone.

dccf: Any thoughts on onesixtyone's up comingappearance at the dccomedyfest?

Topher: Last year we did a fully improvised musical and the dccomedyfest show was the first time in the run that it really clicked. It was all sunshine and roses after that. We know that the comedy fest show will be the best one of the entire run, so were psyched to get to share it with all the fest peeps from across the country.

dccf: What is the most interesting review aonesixtyone show has received from an audiencemember?

Topher: The woman introducing us came out at the endand said, "Thank you. That was different and interesting." Which is another way of saying, Holy fuck. That was a train wreak.

dccf: Which acts coming to dccomedyfest are members of onesixtyone keen to check out?

Topher: You gotta love Bassprov. They rule over allcomers. I'm also picking them up at the airport. So they get an entire awkward trip with me telling them how cool they are. ChuckleSandwich has one of our alumni in it. They are awesome. Personally, I'm excited to see Emo Phillips. I grew up listening to his stand up in the way other people grew up listening to their favorite band.

dccf: Being from DC is there anything dccomedyfest audiences might be surprised to find out about the onesixtyone experience?

Topher: Maybe. In that DC has longform improv that stacks up admirably against Chicago, New York,L.A. I think locals can be proud of us.

dccf: Anything you want dccomedyfest blog readers to know about onesixtyone?

Topher: We're an old group with a new name and timeless comedy.

That about says it all. We hope to see onesixtyone and all the home grown talent kick some comedy butt at the fest. Don't forget your tickets.