Romance with a smile: The UnCabaret at Edison Feb. 14

Andy Dick
Andy Dick

Nothing’s more attractive than funny. Which means that nothing screams “romance” quite like Valentine’s Day with The UnCabaret.

The offbeat L.A. comedy collective — featuring Andy Dick (NewsRadio, The Andy Dick Show), Beth Lapides (All Things Considered, The Beth Lapides Experience), Tim Bagley (Will & Grace, Strip Mall) and Sherri Shepherd (Everybody Loves Raymond; Less Than Perfect) — will make its St. Louis debut at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 as part of the third annual Antigala fund-raiser at Edison Theatre.

The UnCabaret is the mother ship of the modern comic confessional, described by Los Angeles Magazine as “a combination of psychotherapy, performance art and stand-up comedy.” Nothing is off-limits, from personal breakdowns and battles with cancer to crises of faith and sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll.

Beth Lapides
Beth Lapides

The company was founded in 1990 by Lapides, who sought to create a more honest and spontaneous alternative to the “rigid formulas and offensive ‘acts’ of mainstream stand-up clubs.” Among other successes, her “floating craps game” of a troupe packed houses for a yearlong stint at Hollywood’s HBO/Warner Brothers TV.

The group appears bi-weekly at M-Bar in Hollywood.

UnCabaret’s ever-shifting lineup has become a virtual who’s who of progressive writers and comedians. Over the years, members have included Margaret Cho, Janeane Garofalo, Julia Sweeney, Bob Odenkirk, David Cross, Kathy Griffin, Bob Goldthwait and Andy Kindler.

Post-show reception

The Friends of Edison Theatre will host a special post-show dessert reception with The UnCabaret artists.

Proceeds will support Edison Theatre programming, especially the ovations! for young people series and Friday-morning performances for local elementary students.

The cost is $55, which includes a ticket to the performance. Availability is extremely limited.

For tickets, reservations or more information, call 935-6543.

UnCabaret has been featured on numerous television and radio programs, including on Comedy Central, and has released three CDs, The Un & Only (2002) and Play the Word (Vols. 1 and 2) (2003). The troupe has also spawned a handful of noteworthy side projects, including the “Un-Cab Lab,” a performance workshop for young comics and writers; and “The Other Network,” featuring unaired and previously unseen television pilots by some of the most original, creative and disturbing minds in the business.

Dick appeared in his first feature film, Reality Bites, in 1994, and a year later he starred in the short-lived remake of Get Smart before being cast as the fumbling reporter Matthew on the hit NewsRadio.

Lapides created and hosted The Couch for MTV and has appeared on Sex and the City, Will & Grace and Politically Incorrect, among others. Her film roles include Single White Female (1992), Push (1998), I Know What You Screamed Last Summer (1999) and Luster (2002).

Tim Bagley
Tim Bagley

Bagley, who plays the semiregular character Larry on Will & Grace, is a veteran television actor who also recently starred on Comedy Central’s Strip Mall. Other television appearances include The Court, According to Jim, Dharma & Greg, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The X Files, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, ER, Ellen, Wings, The Nanny and Coach.

Shepherd began her standup career in 1990 while working in Beverly Hills as a legal secretary. In 1995, she became a regular on the WB’s Cleghorne! and the following year she was cast as opinionated cop Sgt. Judy Potter on Everybody Loves Raymond. Other television appearances include Joan of Arcadia, The Jamie Foxx Show, Friends, Suddenly Susan and Living Single. She currently plays Ramona on Less Than Perfect.

Sherri Shepherd
Sherri Shepherd

Tickets are $30 and are available at the Edison Theatre Box Office and through all MetroTix outlets.


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