Monologuist comics don't go it alone
(Reprinted from the Tucson Citizen, April, 2004)
CHUCK GRAHAM
A
handful of Tucson comedy writers are taking matters into their own hands - and
asking all of the city's like-minded comics to join them. Participating under
the rustic name Monolog Cabin, this loosely organized bunch of monologuists are
going public April 10 in a 7 p.m. performance at the Hotel Congress.
Visiting guest artist and television writer Scott Carter (most famous for his work on Bill Maher's show "Politically Incorrect") will join them, presenting a pair of 10-minute pieces. This relatively short written-word format is what Monolog Cabin is all about.
"We aren't really organized," said Steve Barancik, one of MC's organizers who writes mostly for Hollywood. "But to be in a performance, every monologue must meet three criteria.
"It has to be written in the first person. It has to be funny. It has to show some attitude."
What Barancik means is that Monolog Cabin doesn't have any membership dues, regular meetings, elected officers or by-laws. It does have rehearsals. Sort of.
"We don't think of them as rehearsals, more as feedback sessions," Barancik said. "Everyone is welcome to present material. We all listen, make suggestions, decide which pieces are ready for a performance.
"In our minds, the writing always comes first. After that, we consider aspects of the performance."
Then on performance night, the writer stands in front of the audience to read the piece. There is no acting, no costume, not much lighting. Very little that feels theatrical.
"It is a very freeing experience," Barancik explained. "I had tried stand-up comedy on amateur nights at Laffs with some good and some bad experiences. What I disliked most was having to memorize my routine.
"I like to think this is so much better because the monologues we read aren't just a bunch of one-liners. They have some substance, although we need the laughs, too. To get the laughs is the real reason we do this."
Barancik and his wife, Carrie, an artist as well as a writer, were in Los Angeles last summer when they dropped into the Comedy Central studios to see an experimental show called "Sit 'n' Spin." A collection of TV writers and actors were on stage reading their own comedy monologues.
"Carrie and I looked at each other and said 'We can do that.' We also knew of a similar group in Chicago."
So one thing led to another and a few months ago, in a performance at the downtown Museum of Contemporary Art, Monolog Cabin was born with more than 100 spectators looking on. And laughing.
Now we have the official debut. We know it is official because Monologue Cabin is selling tickets. The lineup of writers reading their own six-to-15-minute comedy monologues includes Howard Allen, Margo Taylor, Charlotte Lowe-Bailey, Faitha Lowe-Bailey, Carrie Sied Barancik, Steve Barancik and Scott Carter (who will do two monologues, evening out the number of performances).
The subject matter will range from insights on marital infighting, to passing religious beliefs from one generation to the next, to the impact of chat rooms on the generation gap, to what it's like to grow up with parents who are artists.
After the show, the performers will hang around discussing their involvement with inventing a new form of entertainment. They will also be inviting writers to join their group. As Barancik said, another reason they started Monolog Cabin was "to meet other people with a sense of humor."
IF YOU GO:
What: Debut performance of Monolog Cabin.
When: 7 p.m. April 10
Where: Club Congress in the Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 at the door. For ages 21 and older. For details, call 622-8848 or visit www.hotelcongress.com.