For more than 30 years, improv master Del Close was a mentor to some of the biggest names in comedy, including John Belushi, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. After Close's death in 1999, Upright Citizens Brigade in New York began the Del Close Marathon, an annual two-day, multivenue improv-a-thon, which features more than 600 shows, international performers from as far as Finland and celebs (this year, they include Poehler, Nick Kroll, Aubrey Plaza, Ellie Kemper and Saturday Night Live's Bobby Moynihan). For Angelenos too broke and too precious about sleep to experience this endurance test, our very own UCB will stage the Del Close Marathon Preview Show as a sort of second-hand thrill. So before they kick East Coast ass next week, come and help send off local improv teams Best Man Speeches, Cat Ladies, Clothing Swap-Prov, The Koch Brothers Anti-Obamacare Improvtacular and White Women, which consists entirely of African-American men. Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, 5919 Franklin Ave., Hlywd.; Sun., June 22, 9:30 p.m.; $5. (323) 908-8702, losangeles.ucbtheatre.com.

Sun., June 22, 9:30 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 06/22/14)

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