As popular as Mr. Show, Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, the Upright Citizens Brigade, and Kids in the Hall are in San Francisco, the San Francisco Sketchfest, with performers from all of these groups, still squeaks by unnoticed by many in the area. The festival isn’t in any danger whatsoever; now in its sixth year, it’s more successful than ever. In fact, you’ll be lucky to get a ticket to any event day of show. However, there is still time to get tickets for many of SF Sketchfest‘s upcoming events (the fest runs through January 28th). Get ticket information (at sfsketchfest.com).
Since last Friday, when the festival started, I’ve attended one show and worked the door at three more. I’ve noticed the same people in line for multiple events and have seen more of the $200 festival passes than I thought I’d see. What we have here is a festival that is quickly becoming the Sundance of alternative comedy, and so far it’s mostly the hardcore comedy fans that are paying attention.
Some of you may not know what I mean by “alternative comedy.” The origins of alternative comedy go back to LA in the early ’90s. Otherwise successful comics, after stints on shows as prestigious as Saturday Night Live, left the stability of the comedy clubs to put on shows in other venues that were self-booked, self-promoted and performed by comedians. This was an “alternative” to both the business and the content of the comedy clubs.
Most comedy clubs have a structure that doesn’t waver — certain styles of comedy and content will go over in your standard club. In the tiny theater spaces, comics developed new styles and experimented with the form itself. The theater spaces also lent themselves to the then-barely-breathing art of sketch comedy.
With room to grow, sketch groups and a new school of comedians emerged into what is now thought of as the best era in American comedy. Along with new distribution methods of comedy such as MySpace and YouTube, there has never been this much access to this quality of comedians, and the top tier are here in San Francisco through January 28th.