Del Close Marathon 12: Day 1

Ever since the last Del Close Marathon, my friends and I looked forward to the next DCM. Whether it was recalling the chant from NY Mets Monoscene Spectacular "9/11 Never Again" or just how amazing The Straight Men were, it gave us a chance to remember that great weekend.

Once again DCM came around for its 12th year. Sitting in line two hours before the first show began, it was hard to believe we were mere hours away from the best improv weekend of the year.

DCM Line ~2:30.

Riley wanted to plan where we were going to sit as soon as we got in, so he drew a blueprint to visualize the theater.

Riley in planning mode.

After waiting a few hours we were let in.

The first show was the press conference. Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh and Matt Besser came out to kick off the marathon and were almost immediately interrupted by a vuvuzela.

Besser demonstrates proper air-vuvuzela technique.

They called out for the culprits to show themselves.

Neil Casey laughs at Ian's threats.

After the big announcement of the second UCB Theater in NYC being opened in the new year, they they introduced the first team: Two Man Movie.

NOTE: Because I was shooting on film, I had to slow my shutter speed to take pictures during shows. Many of the pictures turned out blurry, but the ones that I will put up are fairly acceptable and don't look like a still from a Greengrass film. Not important for you to know, but I just wanted to preface. (If you are interested in seeing pictures that I didn't put up, blurry or not, email me.)

The first block of shows until the first theater cleaning were the best of the best. Highlights included:

Bassprov with (a very welcome) guest Jon Lutz: Learned that autism isn't real and that Sarah Palin probably doesn't have great tits.

Revolver: "I have to piss...blood!"

Last Day of School: Jim Woods. Nuff said.

Mother aka The Jon Daly Show

Audience after Mother.

I left the theater right after Mother to get back in line for the shows after the theater cleaning. Doug Benson's podcast, Doug Loves Movies, was the first show.

Doug looks at some "Dougouts" for name tags.

Shitty Jobs was the next show. It was, in my opinion the best example of UCB training. Game, heightening, strong characters and impeccable timing made this just a funny, funny show. Couldn't imagine what their sets are like with their full cast...

Dominic learns that Yu-Gi-Oh has no rules. Charlie smiles cause he wants to be a judge.

Following Shitty Jobs is The Mervin Douglas Show.

Horatio interviewing Gethard.

Skipping to the Christian Lighthouse Players the audience gets to see Seth Morris (arguably tying Charlie Sanders for the "Performer of the Marathon" award). I can't stop saying "Skateboard juice" and calling cool things "Half-pipe".

Philip (Eugene Cordero) prays for a good scene.

Christian Lighthouse Players is the same premise every year, but Owen Burke as the drunk father in the audience totally breathed new life into the show.

Following his gay-ish pastor in CLP, Seth Morris is the star of the next show as his immediately beloved character, Bob Ducca. Listening to Ducca on the radio is amazing. Seeing it in person is life changing. Morris knows this character and no matter what was thrown at him, he could somehow relate it back to his progress of building back his self-esteem/self-confidence.

Bob Ducca looks for love.

Bob Ducca's patented, perpetual sad face look.

Seth performed improv as Ducca with some audience members. It was uncomfortable for everyone, but Bob Ducca.

Then came the show everyone (especially me) had been waiting for, Wicked Fuckin' Queeyah. It wasn't in the marathon last year, which gave it a sort of cult status based almost completely on sheer hype. In short: It blew minds.

Purnell introduces the only show worthy of an introduction. (Except for maybe DAR SILICON. More on that later.)

Then magic happened. This was the best show of the weekend if only for the simple act of Kevin Hines grabbing Will Hines' face and throwing him to the ground. Needless to say, people smiled. Not because of hate for Will Hines, but just the awesome madness that this show was bringing.

Don't have sex with Derek Jeter. He has HIV. Seriously.

After the spitting, tossing and consuming of beer on stage, the next group couldn't have been more of a juxtaposition. Mrs. Darcy would have been appalled at what was on stage just minutes before.

Proper English ladies doing scenes based on the suggestion: Cocksucker. Only at DCM.

Next up some Chicago boys that go by the name Old Prospectors' Make 'Em Up Jamboree.

Just imagine momma.

By this time it was 3AM and it was time to see some naked bodies. Enter Baby Time with Winnie.

Babies.

Seth Morris in a cock sock, Gil with a full load in his diaper, Mike Still with a dangling bollock, Gabrus' as a tan baby, Neil Casey as a bearded baby, Jon Daly with a baby doll hanging out of his pj's and Anthony as a Jamaican nanny. Simply put: Just delightfully weird.

The last show I stayed for was The Improv Show with Jay Leno.

Diston channels his inner black Leno.

By this time I was beat and went home for some of that precious sleep.

The first day I saw a lot of great improv and premise shows. Plenty of not so great ones too, but no cares about those.

First Day Awards

Best Improv Show: Shitty Jobs

Best Premise Show: Wicked Fuckin' Queeyah

Best Seth Morris Show: Christian Lighthouse Players

Best Quote: (Said to my roommate as he was outside) Will Hines from across the street: "Hey guys! Improv! We're doing it!"

Best Use of the Stage: Doug Benson trying to walk on the walls like in Inception.

Sorely Missed: Jason Mantzoukas & Billy Merrit