March 24-30, 2005

mixpicks

Citizenship Test

comedy

Before Comedy Central became the mirth-mecca it is at present, the network spent seasons in hell offering little of interest save for a Craig Kilborne-hosted Daily Show and the Upright Citizens Brigade. Though Amy Poehler (currently the best thing about SNL), Matt Besser (looks like Brad Dourif), Ian Roberts (the alarmist doctor on Arrested Development) and Matt Walsh (Old School, Elf) positioned themselves as menacing galaxy hitchhikers at each show's start, the fab foursome didn't just traffic in futuristic nonsense. They tackled existential issues with a confrontational spirit. UCB seemed like a Manhattan-based take on Chicago's improv Second City troupe and would have been were it not for the fact that they were also originally from Chi-Town. No matter. Along with the show (three seasons starting in 1997) featuring lit-witty, mortality-facing skits like "The Hot Chicks Room" and "The Bucket of Truth," the quartet were avatars of long-form improvisation. They set about offering classes and "guerrilla training" at an old strip club, turning students of comedy into Brigadeers, until opening their own theater and school (at 307 W. 26th St.). Now, in Blue Man Group fashion, UCB's four originals, who still perform together each Sunday in A.s.s.s.s.c.a.t, take out students and other UCB players for skits and giggles.

Upright Citizens Brigade Theater Touring Company, Fri., March 25, 9 p.m., $15, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.

—A.D. Amorosi