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On any given Friday night (with the exception of some holidays), you can find a group of dedicated comedians in East Passyunk providing a unique show for their audience.
The N Crowd likes to keep things interactive, said B.J. Ellis, the organization’s executive director.
“We’re a short-form improv comedy group,” he said. “It’s kind of like the show, ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’”
The show is driven by the audience, which Ellis said can vary from five to 50 to hundreds.
The games the group chooses to implement are dependent on audience feedback, but there are a few classics.
“We do a game called soap opera where at all times, someone must be looking forward, someone must be looking to the side, and someone must be draped across furniture like it’s a soap opera,” he said.
The organization has been around for over 20 years, and Ellis has been along for the entire time, ever since he posted on Craigslist in 2005, looking for improv work post-college.
“Someone sent me a post and said, ‘Hey, there is an audition here,’” he said. “I showed up, and I got cast, and within about a year or two, I was the executive director of the group.”
Ellis has seen the comedy scene – and his own group – develop as time goes on.
“I think it used to be a little bit more centralized,” he said. “There was this hub for, especially, improv pre-pandemic, and now things are a little decentralized, which I think is great,” he said.
There are now a variety of unique resources throughout the city. We put together a list of some of the city’s comedy scene resources – including those that are very unique to the city.
Comedy Venues
Next In Line Comedy
This comedy collective is your place to see the rising stars in stand-up comedy – or as the name clearly suggests, those who are “next in line.” The club was founded in 2021 by Philly comedians Manny Brown and Tyler Wolf.
As Philly’s only independent comedy club, this venue balances affordability and quality in an intimate, 80-seat setting. Enjoy bar service from Love City Brewing and come discover your next favorite comedian on select nights every week. If you want to be directly involved in all the action, you can also sign up for Stand-up 101 and develop your skills even further.
You can check them out at 1025 Hamilton Street in Spring Garden.
CSz Philadelphia
You can find a lot of unique comedy offerings at CSz Philly. The worldwide franchise provides several offerings – including ComedySportz, an improv comedy game, team building and improv classes and other seasonal shows.
You can take one of their improv classes or workshops, try one of their themed comedy challenges or shows or check out a ComedySportz production (also the longest running comedy show in the city.)
CSz Philadelphia is located at The Adrienne Theater in Rittenhouse. You can learn more about their hours and offerings on their website.
The Mask and Wig Club
The Mask and Wig Club has a historical background throughout the city – starting back in the 1800s. The collegiate musical comedy troupe is based out of the University of Pennsylvania.
They perform three shows each academic year. There is one free show for Penn first- and second-year students, a fall sketch comedy show on the Penn campus, and an Annual Production, a full-length musical comedy written and performed by undergraduate members that runs for a few months in spring.
The organization’s annual show has already wrapped up, but they’ll be working on their next offerings ahead of fall. You can also rent the organization’s clubhouse for meetings, weddings, parties and other events.
The Mask and Wig Club is located at 310 S Quince in Center City. You can learn more about them at their website.
Philly Improv Theater
For all things improv, Philly Improv Theater is the place for you. The theater hosts everything from brand-new sketch shows to fully improvised comedies.
The theater started as a training center for improv comedy in 2005. Since then, it has developed to include hundreds of courses, improv classes from top teachers and regular sketch, stand-up and musical comedy shows.
To sign up for classes, you can visit their website. You can take everything from Improv 101 to character classes to acting workshops.
And to learn about upcoming shows, stay up-to-date via the organization’s website or follow its Instagram.
They are located on 62 N 2nd Street in Old City.
The N Crowd
This weekly show is housed inside the Sawubona Creativity Project at 1626 Passyunk Ave.
Ellis said each week’s show will look different – and is often dependent on the audience.
“We don’t have anything preplanned for the show, we just know what games we’re playing, who we’re playing with, and we wait for the audience to fill in the gaps,” he said.
The rotating cast also brings a range of experiences – leading to different offerings each week.
“We have a science doctor [on the cast], there’s an insurance salesman, there are mothers, there are really all sorts of people,” he said. “And that ranges in age from our youngest who are like 22-23 to our oldest who is 46-47.”
The shows start at 8:30 p.m. and end at 9:50 p.m. You can learn more or get tickets on their website.
Playtime Comedy
East Passyunk also is where to go for this BYOB comedy show at Philly Typewriter every Friday night. Comedians come from all over to perform, and offerings are different each week. Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. each week and the show begins at 8 p.m.
You can learn more and buy tickets at their website.
Case Comedy
If you’re looking for some laughs during the week, Case Comedy has got you! This weekly, Tuesday night show features comics from HBO, the New York Times and Amazon Prime, along with local comedians. You can find stand-up, sketch, theatre, and game shows at any of their 7:30 p.m. performances.
The comedy club is located at 229 S 45th Street in West Philly. To stay up-to-date and purchase tickets, you can follow their Instagram.
Punch Line Philly
One of the larger comedy clubs in the city, Punch Line Philly is one of several Punch Lines throughout the country that host top names like Ali Wong, Dave Chappelle, and Chelsea Handler.
The venue can seat 300 guests and offers a lobby bar, outdoor patio and full-service food and beverage program.
You can join the club for an Open Mic Night, headliner performance, or drag brunch.
The bar is located at 33 E Laurel Street in Northern Liberties. You can stay up to date with their offerings on their website.
Helium Comedy Club
One of Philly’s most popular comedy clubs, this Rittenhouse staple offers everything from Open Mic Nights and headliner performances to specialized comedy shows (think comedy show for the service industry) and classes.
The club also features a full-service food and drink menu. The venue is 21+ and there is a 2-item minimum in the showroom (it can be food or drink).
For more information on the venue and its upcoming shows, you can visit their website.
