Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

Why so serious, Philadelphia?

$10 Cost of Philly N Crowd's weekly improv comedy shows, which, according to them, are "the best 90 minutes of entertainment that $10 can legally buy." Tickets for the 8 p.m. show (Aug. 1 at The Actor's Center, 257 N. Third St.) are available at phillyncrowd.com. Be sure to come prepared with suggestions for sketches, as well as cogent comments about why certain other weekly forms of entertainment, though less time-consuming, may be a better value.

8 Number of classes in which aspiring improv comics will be under the tutelage of Philly Improv Theater during its August session of "Intro to Longform" (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays from Aug. 6 through Sept. 24) in the Ethical Society's basement rehearsal room, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square. Basements: Spawning improv careers since 1975.

6 Number of minutes of material that aspiring Philly-area comics will perform during the preliminary rounds of the Third Annual Philly's Phunniest Person Contest (Aug. 5 to 9 and Aug. 12 to 14 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.), where the $1,000 grand prize will be awarded following the Aug. 16 finals. I assume there will also be a prize for anyone who sits through all 140 contestants.

4 Number of years of existence the Philadelphia Improv Festival will celebrate this fall when the annual competition is held Nov. 13 to 15 at the Plays & Players Theatre. Performer submissions, which are open to all troupe sizes and improv styles except sketch and standup, are being accepted until Aug. 22 and must include a $25 entry fee, a digital promo photo of the group and a link to a streaming video of at least 10 minutes of unedited performance. Given the appearance of most comedians, however, the editing of promo photos is encouraged.

2 Number of weeks you'll have to wait for the TROIKA 2008 Championship, a gathering of Philly's best improvisers — in groups they don't usually perform with — that will be held from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St., where the audience will select a winner from three groups of three performers each. The losers will be exiled.

Hey ... can I get your digits? I want to hear about the numerals you need to see. Let a number-runner know at runningnumbers@gmail.com.