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#echoesundersunset #theindigochildren by Christian Chavez on iPhone, uploaded to instagram, downloaded via facebook, and uploaded once again on tumblr and automatically tweeted on twitter
MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, February 26th, 2013
CONTACT: Josh Filipowski 914-629-1225 josh at like2laugh dot com
MARCH COMEDY MADNESS: SPREADING ALL OVER LOS ANGELES
WHAT: 64+ comedians battle it out in brackets, going one-on-one in this 7th annual single elimination stand-up comedy tournament, March Comedy Madness: 64 Comedians, 1 Champion Inspired by the NCAA tourney, spanning to 5 Los Angeles clubs and featuring special guest national headliners, the Madness continues until 1 champion is crowned. Past Champions have found continued success, including Julian McCullough (Comedy Central Presents), Reese Waters (Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham), and Myq Kaplan (NBC’s Last Comic Standing)
WHEN/WHERE:
REGIONALS
Thurs., March 7, 10PM - Flappers Comedy Club Burbank
102 E Magnolia, Burbank, CA 91502
http://www.facebook.com/events/134661183372965
Thurs., March 14, 8PM - Sal’s Comedy Hole
7356 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
http://www.facebook.com/events/415251155234883
Thurs., March 21, 9PM - The Downtown Los Angeles Comedy Club
501 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
http://www.facebook.com/events/133871980121063
Thursday, March 28, 8PM - M.i.’s Westside Comedy Theater
1323-A Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
http://www.facebook.com/events/574623075882442
FINAL 4 and CHAMPIONSHIP
Wednesday, April 3, 7:30PM - Hollywood Improv
8162 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA 90046
http://www.facebook.com/events/403474686416218
WHO: Hosted/Refereed by creator Josh Filipowski of Like2Laugh.com with 64+ competing comedians plus Specials Guests: 3/7 Rob O’Reilly (Comedy Central) & Dwayne Perkins (Conan), 3/14 Dan Ahdoot (The Tonight Show) & Mo Mandel (Chelsea Lately), 3/21 Rick Shapiro (Lucky Louie), 3/28 Nico Santos (Chelsea Lately) and more TBA! And YOU (the audience) decide the winners.
HOW: Come out. Buy Tickets $10-$15, plus 2 item minimum. Laugh and Cheer!
WHY: Get your dose of March Comedy Madness & support some of LA’s hottest comics and make some new favorite comedians as they battle it out in the brackets at an amazing show near you!
“Makes comedy fun again” -Jamar Neighbors, 2013 Finalist
“The Madness has proven fast-paced, loose and fun for comedians and audience alike. It’s not a contest - it’s Madness.” -LA Examiner
Produced by: www.LIKE2LAUGH.com
FB page: http://www.facebook.com/marchcomedymadness
###
The Competitors…
Adam Cozens
Alec Owen
Alec Scholzen
Alex Davenport
Alex Hooper
Allegra Barnett
Alyson Weaver
Amaya Perea
Andrew Lisa
Ari Adams
Big Al Gonzales
Brad Sachs
Cicero Salmon
Cornelius Peter
Courtney Barnett
Crazy Boris
Dana Moon
Danny Jolles
Dave Rankin
David DeVito
David Nieker
Dean Delray
Dennis Lavender
Dillon Garcia
Dinah Leffert
Doug Reed
Eric Gruber
Fox E Cellars
Gem Digadi
Geoffrey Plitt
Gil Garibaldo
Griff Pippin
Hormoz Rashidi
Ian Jasper
J Mandyam
James Frey
Jason Schneider
Jay Light
Jay Weingarten
Jeremiah Watkins
Jessica Michelle Singleton
Joe Abel
Joe McAvoy
Joe Praino
Jon Schabl
Julia Austin
Julia Prescott
Julian Shine
Keith Carey
Keith Reza
Keith Seoul
Kvon
Kyle Chrise
Lauren Brenner
Margie Mintz
Mason Pryor
Matt Gubser
Matt Lewis
Matt Portman
Matt Ritter
Meg Swertlow
Mike Citera
Morgan Jay
Nate Craig
Nick Cobb
Nick Leidl
Paige Wesley
Pat Regan
Piotr Michael
Reggie Flenory
Ryan Budds
Ryan Clauson
Sammy Obeid
Scott Boxenbaum
Sean Hobson
Seth Plummer
Shaun Latham
Talia Harari
Thai Rivera
TK Kelly
Zenobia Del Mar
Hey-hey headshots by Gijs van der Most (www.ThatHeadshotGuy.com) certainly warrant YOUR appearance at one of these interesting happenings this week.
6/12 TUES 8pm -Tacos Tuesday, TRiP, 2101 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
6/13 WED 9pm -In Your Face, Bar Pico, 2819 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
6/15 FRI 10pm -HiGHLARiOUS, The Comedy Store, 8433 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069 ($4.20 tix www.like2laugh.com/upcoming!)
6/16 SAT 9pm -FRINGE STANDUP, Fringe Central Station, 6314 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
HOLLYWOOD- LA’s March Comedy Madness 64 comedian tournament concluded marvelously yesterday at The Comedy Store with the crowning of this year’s champion Adam Yenser. With some all-star guests and a fun crowd ,the final four comedians performed head-to-head and audience vote determined the winners.
Donning his trusty referee jersey, Josh Filipowski opened the final show of the month-long event, warming up the crowd well and closing with applause after he tagged a failed joke with, “That is why I’m not in this contest.” Next, 2010 MCM finalist- Mike Lawrence, in town from New York for writing projects, performed his magic on the microphone. He played for the crowd, and against them, and back to them, toying with the entire concept of comedy and crushing while at it, especially for the on-looking comedians. He set the audience right up to keep showing love for the final four competitors about to follow.
Starting off the competition, Jamar Neighbors hit hard with his seemingly sporadic and spontaneous stories; delivering big laughs to defeat Dan Madonia who’s mellow methods didn’t grab the audience as shows past. “I can’t wait for the 4/20 Highlarious show,” Madonia mentioned off stage as a good sport knowing his crowd as Neighbors moved on to the championship round.
Adam Yenser and Bryan Dey battled on the other side of the brackets. Adam’s consistent hits and pace proved perfect in propelling him through to victory. Bryan Dey brought it too, charming the crowd with consistent laughs. The vote was close, but Yenser edged ahead.
Between the Final Four and Championship round, 2011 Champion Samba Schutte graced the stage and crushed with his complete comedy; showing off his multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-hilarious takes on the whacky world we live in where some horses have more movie credits than actors.
In the coin flip before tipping off the championship match, Jamar Neighbors elected to perform after Adam Yenser. Yenser opened strong and stayed solid all throughout with funny stories from his past like when he lived in New York and locksmith would leave a business card at his door every day. “It’d make a better ad if he left them inside on my pillow.” He was smooth like Steve Kerr in a 3 point contest. Draining 3 ball after 3 ball, the crowd was his.
Neighbors then led the crowd to big laughs with family stories and got topical with Trayvon Martin. “How do we know he didn’t steal those Skittles in his pocket?” He worked more like Kobe Bryant. Where is he going next? And swish he delivers. In the end, the perpetual punchlines and TNT tags of Yenser reigned supreme.
“His jokes are so well written! I can see why,” Neighbors said.
March Comedy Madness 2012 brought out 64 competing comedians, amazing special guests (Eliot Chang, Rob O’Reilly, Rick Shapiro, Justin Martindale and above mentioned), packed & pretty-packed houses and a month of maddeningly amazing stand-up. It was the 6th and another successful year of Madness for Josh Filipowski and Like 2 Laugh Productions (www.LIKE2LAUGH.com). As comedians mingled in the greenroom Neighbors added, “Thank you [Filipowski] for making comedy fun.”
The newly crowned champ Adam Yenser (www.AdamYenser.com) graciously accepted his title & check and acknowledged all his hardworking competitors. “It was a lot of fun and all the comedians were great especially Jamar Neighbors.”
He got more than money and bragging rights (you can tell he is not much of a bragger). “Winning $250 dulled the pain of not winning the $650 million in Mega Millions,” he quipped.
The Champ’s prize package includes a guest appearance on Toad Hop Network’s Sports Cast: broadcasting from Jon Lovitz Comedy Club (www.ToadHopNetwork.com), acting classes with New British School (www.NewBritishSchool.com), headshots by Gijs van der Most (www.ThatHeadshotGuy.com) and a scheduled weekend spot at The Comedy Store, La Jolla (www.TheComedyStore.com)
“I’m looking forward to that,” the champ said before heading home to work late, as the writing never ends. We are looking forward to more from Yenser.
MARCH COMEDY MADNESS 2012 LA
In honor of the NCAACollege Basketball Tournament, 64 comedians go one-on-one in this comedy competition hosted and refereed by Josh Filipowski and www.LIKE2LAUGH.com. In each round, two comics perform standup head-to-head and the audience decides the winner! As the field is narrowed down, sets get longer and more hilarious, until the final two comics perform and a champ is crowned 2012 March Comedy Madness Champion.

HOLLYWOOD – Last night’s most riotous comedy show carried into this morning as the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds of March Comedy Madness at The Comedy Store left 4 standing. Dan Madonia, Jamar Neighbors, Bryan Dey and Adam Yenser all advanced in funny fashion to the Final Four which will take place next Friday, March 30th. Nail biters, some shockers, buzzer beaters, and joke-offs kept the capacity crowd on the edge of their seats and nearly out of them from laughter.
Referee, host and producer Josh Filipowski of Like 2 Laugh Productions tipped the show off, warming up the crowd before truly special guests Boom Shaka Laka in drag shocked and Crank Williams awed. Then the Sweet 16 took the stage with some close comedy competition. Adam Yenser power packed punchlines edged out Hanoch Serebrenik whacky charm in a 30 second joke-off after both having destroyed. Yenser’s superlative writing, impeccable timing and off the cuff callbacks carried him past maddening middle school math teacher –or- pot store clerk? Cornelius Peters in the following round.
Noteworthy New Yorker Joe Praino crushed with tales of late nights back in NY where his delivery guy was also his drug dealer. “Falafel with extra white sauce, huh? Extra white sauce?” He was followed by San Antonio transplant Bryan Dey who won the crowd over with his hilarious takes on the cute Mexican army and plenty more (see him for yourself next Friday). In a nail biting joke-off it appeared Praino had the bigger laugh, but the crowd held strong for Dey which propelled him through the Elite 8 where he continued to bring it, passing him on to the Final 4.
Around the other side of the brackets, the powerfully present what-will-she-say-next Faith Choyce fell to Brooklyn’s own Rome who got everybody wondering, “Where is Brooklyn really at? Seriously there is nobody there. They’re all out representing!” Rome’s Kingdom then fell to Jamar Neighbors who has been simply slaying his way through the Madness. Jamar’s tales have held true and his 30 second knack of knock-out joke-offs left the Belly Room belly aching.
The last puzzle piece brought us the battles of Madonia - Fager and then Madonia - Singleton. First round Doug Fager had the audience in his hand and slipped out of bounds with his final joke. Audience, uncomfortable from AIDS, was eager for a laugh and Dan Madonia granted more than one. His stony demeanor and awesomely funny attitude towards drugs and life, and doing drugs with him in your life, led to laughter and applause and a victory which continued past Jessica Michelle Singleton in the Elite 8. JMS had rushed over from Brea IMPROV where she had hosted for Bobby Lee. Unfortunately that rush seemed apparent as she raced the clock. Her outrageous flagrant attack on Adele and fat friends had everybody wanting more time for her to truly let lose and do her thing. Her rattling jokes-per-minute style was no match for the chill easygoing holy-shit-that-was-funny Madonia.
To break up the 16 and 8 rounds the Belly Room of The Comedy Store was blessed from right off the screen of Project X. Rick Shapiro brought on huge guffaws as he fired his fierce stream-of-conscious off the wall comedy. Get this man his own Comedy Central Presents already. And for the winner of the tourney TOO, to be determined by YOU, the audience, next Friday as the Final 4 and Championship alley-oop slam dunk in-your-face March Comedy Madness 2012 Champion is crowned.
Catch the final rounds of Madness Friday, March 30th, 10pm in the Belly Room of The World Famous Comedy Store, 8433 Sunset Boulevard. Visit www.LIKE2LAUGH.com or www.TheComedyStore.com for tickets and info.
MARCH COMEDY MADNESS 2012 LA
In honor of the NCAACollege Basketball Tournament, 64 comedians go one-on-one in this comedy competition hosted and refereed by Josh Filipowski and www.LIKE2LAUGH.com. In each round, two comics perform standup head-to-head and the audience decides the winner! As the field is narrowed down, sets get longer and more hilarious, until the final two comics perform and a champ is crowned 2012 March Comedy Madness Champion winning headshot’s by www.ThatHeadshotGuy.com, acting classes from www.NewBritishSchool.com, feature spot at La Jolla Comedy Store and more, CA$H, fame, glory and thus and such!
SINBAD. Memba’ him? When stand up comics just had one name? And a show? And a purple double pleated suit with an african pendant a la “Do The Right Thing”?
If you don’t remember Sinbad, please watch old episodes of The Red Fox Show, The Cosby Show, It’s a Different World, & Good Burger .. um, yes..I just referenced Good Burger..because he is funny, amazing, and one of the pioneers in this stand up cross-over acting business. Um, what was my point? Yeah..we got to photograph Sinbad. This is one of our fave shots.
This was taken on a hot Los Angeles day. Sinbad had on a black spandex running shirt (clearly he’s going for a jog), a crucifix gold chain, matching ear piece (cause you neva’ know who’s gonna call, right?) accompanied by his cheetah towel.
Thank you, gods, for answering my prayers.
2012 March Comedy Madness LA Brackets are up! www.LIKE2LAUGH.com

FRi 2/10 3-7PM “March Comedy Madness OPEN CALL AUDITION” (Original Room)
FRi 2/10 10PM “PAID or PAIN?! Burlesque, Dominatrix, Stand-up”
FRi 2/17 10PM “HiGHLARiOUS…A Pothead Party”
FRi 2/24 10PM “Battle in the Belly: Like 8 Mile but Funnier”
COMING soon…MARCH COMEDY MADNESS 2012:
64 Comedians, 1 Champion www.LIKE2LAUGH.com
Proudly announcing this year’s March Comedy Madness will take place
on Long Island at The Brokerage & Governor’s Comedy Clubs AND in Hollywood at The World Famous Comedy Store!
NEW YORK:
Our 6th year in New York is a slam dunk- Whether you’re a Long Island comic or a NYC comic looking to break into clubs in your backyard, this is a fantastically fun show to be a part of- not to mention the comedic social event of the year, hosted by Bryan Kennedy. Past winners have received cash prizes, a Mark Manne headshot package (http://www.markmanne.com/), 3 paid weekends opening for headliners at each of the Governor’s Clubs: Governor’s in Levittown, The Brokerage in Bellmore & McGuires in Bohemia, as well as other great prizes!
LOS ANGELES:
The Madness continues it’s 2nd year out West as LA comedians and audiences get a big shot at this bracketed tourney hosted by Josh Filipowski. This bring-the-funny-fast competition will leave ‘em laughing madly! Past winners received a cash prize, a Gijs van der Most headshot package (http://www.thatheadshotguy.com/), a Nathaniel Wood photo session (http://nathanielwood.com/), Newbritishschool.com acting and GregDean.com comedy classes, spots at LA’s top comedy clubs and shows and more!
TO SUBMIT:
Comedians must be available ALL days in their region*
Send name, contact info and 1-5 minute video link
To both: b112kennedy at gmail.com, madness at like2laugh.com
Subject: MADNESS NY -or- MADNESS LA
TO AUDITION LIVE: Additionally The Comedy Store Hollywood open-call audition is Friday, February 10th, 3-7pm
DEADLINE: Submissions will be accepted now through Friday, February 17th.
ABOUT MARCH COMEDY MADNESS:
In honor of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, 64 comedians will go one-on-one in the 6th annual March Comedy Madness; a single elimination comedy competition.
In the first round, two comedians will perform their best minute of standup head-to-head and then the audience, by applause, will decide the winner. As the field is narrowed down, the sets will get longer and more hilarious, until the final two comics each perform 10 minute sets to crown the 2012 March Comedy Madness Champion!
“The Madness has proven fast-paced, loose and fun for comedians and audience alike. It’s not a contest - it’s Madness” -LA Examiner
“A rapid-fire competition modeled after the NCAA tourney” -New York Post
“Comedians walked on stage and delivered their best material.” -The New York Times
“In first round, contestants have one minute to slam their comedy hammer down.” -Time Out New York
“Filipowski brings respectability back to comedy competitions.” -STAGE TIME Magazine
The shows will be hosted and refereed by co-creators/producers Bryan Kennedy in NY and Josh Filipowski, Like2laugh.com founder, in LA. Past winners include: Julian McCullough (Comedy Central “Presents”), Reese Waters (“The Daily Line” on Verses), Myq Kaplan (NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”), Sam Morril (Comedy Central’s “Comics to Watch”) and our 2011 winners Samba Schutte and Pat O’Rourke!
*DATES & LOCATIONS:
NEW YORK:
FRIDAYS MARCH 9th, 16th, 23rd @ 10:30 PM
The Brokerage Comedy Club
2797 Merrick Road
Bellmore, NY 11710
FRIDAY MARCH 30th @ 10:30 PM - FINAL FOUR AND CHAMPIONSHIP
Governor’s Comedy Club
90 Division Avenue
Levittown, NY 11756
LOS ANGELES:
FRIDAYS MARCH 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th @ 10PM
The Comedy Store
8433 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Please see www.govs.com, www.brokeragecomedy.com, www.thecomedystore.com or www.like2laugh.com for more details. Tickets are $15 plus a 2 drink min at all shows. Group rates, all-show passes, ticket discounts and transportation information (possible shuttle bus and/or train) TBA.
Any questions- let us know!
Looking forward to 2012 MARCH COMEDY MADNESS!
Laughter and Love,
Bryan Kennedy and Josh Filipowski
Please “Like” MCM on FB:
MCM Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=61669698466
MCM LA: http://www.facebook.com/pages/March-Comedy-Madness-TheComedyStore/228890630529868
Reservations - special group rates www.like2laugh.com