What's the Sketch?

Don't dare call Dave Terruso's show "Philly Improvfest."

by Lauren F. Friedman

Jo Anna Van Thuyne WORLD F. CHAMPIONS: "The sketch scene is like a Philly sports team that's about to go to the national championships," says Philly Sketchfest founder Dave Terruso (pictured, right). "We're picking up more fans; girls want to wear our shirts."

[ comedy ]

Sometimes, it's hard to get a straight answer out of a comedian.

I wrote to Dave Terruso, co-producer of the Philly Sketchfest and founding member of sketch scene mainstay Animosity Pierre, to ask if he went by Dave or David. "I prefer Dave, but either one is fine," he said. "Steve would be bad. I guess Stevid would be even worse. Stevid Terruso. I wouldn't like that one bit."

Stevid founded Sketchfest in 2008 with Pierre teammate Matt Lally and their manager, Ben Maher. This year, PSF will showcase Philly's ever-growing sketch comedy scene with more than 20 local groups — up from just a handful in existence a few years ago. Each performance will include a standup comic's act followed by two or three sets of sketch from hometown heroes like Meg and Rob, The Sixth Borough and Secret Pants.

Sadly, the jury's still out on whether there'll be a 2010 PSF. "Other people had the idea to do a sketch fest, too, but they all decided that it was too much work," says Terruso. "That was the right decision."

City Paper: Could Philly become a center of sketch comedy?

Dave Terruso: There's a lot of talent in Philly. There's no reason why we can't be a major contender in that game. Helium has proved that to us with standup — just having this really nice comedy club has brought in all these big acts that have been on TV. If we give people a good place to go, then the scene will build up around it, and the most talented people will come out of the woodwork.

CP: Is there an apt metaphor for the sketch scene here?

DT: The sketch scene is like a Philly sports team that's about to go to the national championships. Everyone's watching the games; we're picking up more fans; girls want to wear our shirts. Our goal is that in four or five years, people will say, "Oh, it's Friday, what comedy show should we see?"

CP: Why do you think the audience enjoys it?

DT: It's the short attention span dream show.

CP: Do you run across anyone who's confused about sketch comedy?

DT: Yeah, some people really just don't know what it is. They'll say, "What's the Sketchfest? Is it like people doing drawings?" And a lot of people confuse us with improv — they use the two words synonymously. My aunts and uncles are always asking me if I'm still doing the improv.

CP: So what's your elevator pitch for sketch?

DT: It's like Saturday Night Live. Except it's live.

CP: Have you always known you were funny?

DT: I’ve always been the family goofball. At 14, in school, I was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” and “Class Clown.” So I thought, “Great. I’ll be famous and funny at the same time.”

CP: What’s your day job?

DT: It’s as boring as possible. So I fill my nightlife with creative endeavors. My main thing is that I would like to be a published novelist and a produced screenwriter. Pierre is my side-side project, and Sketchfest is my side-side-side project. One way or another, I will find a way to be famous.

(lauren.friedman@citypaper.net)

Philly Sketchfest, Thu.-Sat., Dec. 3-5, 8 and 10 p.m., $10-$25, Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place, 215-735-0630, philly-sketchfest.com.