Live Comedy L.A.

Dan Bialek, the producer of “12 Shiny Nickels”, that show with 12 comedians in 1 hour, posted this bulletin in the events section on Myspace:

Hi, this is Dan Bialek. I run the 12 Shiny Nickels show on Fridays and Saturdays at 11pm.

I would like clarify one issue that arose at tonight’s show. And I’d like to apologize for not making this point more clear in my previous posts.

EVERYONE WHO COMES TO THE SHOW MUST PAY $5 AT THE DOOR.

INCLUDING ALL COMEDIANS.

AGAIN.

INCLUDING ALL COMEDIANS.

I’m sorry. I know that a lot of other shows and comedy clubs in LA let comics hang out at the venue and watch shows for free. I, however, cannot afford this luxury because I have to pay for the theater space, sound equipment, promotions, videography, editing and especially all of the free beer out of my own pocket. And I’m also doing this two nights a week and expenses add up quick.

(I’ll let you in on a little secret, all three shows that I’ve done so far have ended up costing much more to put on than they pulled in money-wise.)

I apologize for those of you who came down to the show tonight under the assumption that you would be granted free admission if you were a comic. I was not trying to mislead you. But please understand that $5 for all the beer you can drink (two nights a week) is still a pretty good deal whether you are a comedian or not.

Thanks again to everyone who came to the show and who performed on it as well. I’m looking forward to many more in the future.

–dan

P.S. Please do not respond to this bulletin with an email asking me to book you on the show. When I want you to do the show I will email you. I promise.

This show is quickly becoming a logistical nightmare for Dan. I feel bad. Too many comedians, two shows a week, free beer, not a enough help, and a terrible business model are going to crush this show. Small line-ups, great comedians, great venue, smart promotion, and slow growth…wins.

Last night, I went to Dan Bialek’s new show “Twelve Shiny Nickels” at The Gardner Theaters. It’s a new concept show where 12 comedians do their best 5 minutes of material so that the audience is in and out in one hour. Sounded interesting given that I think stand-up comedy line-ups should have no more than 6 or 7 comedians at the absolute maximum because no one benefits from a long show with a lot of comedians. No one. Dan’s idea was intriguing because he was going to get us in and out in 1 hour. (more…)