Episode 019 – Corybungus – Off Off Radio Theater

03/28/14 • 5 min

Welcome to Off Off Radio Theater with the short play Corybungus written by Stephen Bittrich.

Hijinks ensue when a bookshop customer tries to return a defective “OED” (Oxford English Dictionary) because it’s missing words. This fast moving skit is a nod to the works of Monty Python.

The Returns Man is played by Steve Sherman.

Mr. Weiner, the Customer, is played by Stephen Bittrich.

An interview with Steve Sherman coming soon in a future Off Off Pod episode!

Corybungus was originally performed by The Drilling Company in an evening of New York themed one-acts by Stephen Bittrich called Big Apples.

Welcome to Off Off Radio Theater with the short play Corybungus written by Stephen Bittrich.

Hijinks ensue when a bookshop customer tries to return a defective “OED” (Oxford English Dictionary) because it’s missing words. This fast moving skit is a nod to the works of Monty Python.

The Returns Man is played by Steve Sherman.

Mr. Weiner, the Customer, is played by Stephen Bittrich.

An interview with Steve Sherman coming soon in a future Off Off Pod episode!

Corybungus was originally performed by The Drilling Company in an evening of New York themed one-acts by Stephen Bittrich called Big Apples.

Previous Episode

Episode 018 – Stephen Rosenfield of American Comedy Institute

Stephen Rosenfield and I had a great conversation about comedy, how one can learn the craft, how comedians prepare and how he got his start.

Stephen is the director and founder of the American Comedy Institute where folks with the comedy bug can receive great training either by way of their monthly comedy classes or in their year long program.

I happen to know Stephen from working on the website for the school. It’s a great resource if you’d like to know more about how you can join in!

Topics covered in the interview:

Intro (0:00)
How we met through Ted Greenberg and The Complete Performer (2:13)
How it all began, working on the writing (4:58)
Growing up and being funny and the need to express yourself (7:39)
Being well rounded as a comedian, Louie CK (10:11)
Taking note of subjects and attitudes that are working (15:50)
Comedians that have reinvented their persona (19:48)
Comedians who seem to be making it up on the fly have worked hard to prepare (22:03)
Stephen’s role as teacher, how to create a hyphenated career (25:50)
The One Year Program at American Comedy Institute (27:06)
Doing “bringer shows” (bringing in an audience to the clubs) and when comedy was “rock and roll” (32:45)
How to build and audience as a performer (39:15)
Keeping warm after bombing (42:07)

As usual my buddy Sal Clemente (of Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra) who wrote the podcast theme song, “Here We Go Again,” plays us out.

Next Episode

Episode 020 – Holly Williams – Repertory Actor at Barter Theatre

Holly Williams is a repertory actor at The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. I really wanted to see something at The Barter while I was still in this area (East Tennessee), and I approached her about doing an interview, and she could not have been nicer. She got me into 2 shows, we had a terrific interview about the busy (and artistically fulfilling) life of the rep actor, and I got the super deluxe tour of the facility.

I was so impressed with the well-oiled machine at the Barter. They were switching out the set for the evening show when we were talking in the dressing room. They also have 2 shows going on in the Stage II space (their smaller space), and they are simultaneously rehearsing for the next shows which will go up. The scheduling people must be geniuses! Right now at the Barter you could see 4 different shows... Man of LaMancha, I Do I Do I Do, Don’t Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell, and The Dryad: An Appalachian Tale. Something for everyone!

And Holly was terrific. She had a lead role in I Do I Do I Do and a supporting role in Man of LaMancha. And she’s also in the midst of rehearsing for her next cool role as Rita in Educating Rita. Go check out The Barter if you’re in the area!

Topics covered in the interview:

Intro (0:00)
Not Hank Williams Granddaughter (4:30)
Can you actually barter to get admission to the theatre? (8:25)
The shows I saw, Holly’s busy schedule, life of a repertory actor (10:15)
Holly’s good luck charm, writing a lyric on her fingers (17:15)
How Holly got the gig with The Barter (19:30)
Versatility required, non-traditional casting (23:40)
How Holly got the acting, storytelling bug (25:38)
Wall of fame ... Barter Alumni (37:32)
More about The Barter administrative and creative staff (38:37)
“Bizarre, Interesting or Horrible Audition Stories” (47:25)

As usual my buddy Sal Clemente (of Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra) who wrote the podcast theme song, “Here We Go Again,” plays us out. URO has a concert coming up. Click the link to find out more!