Gettin' Close with Mike Marbach

This episode of Gettin’ Close features someone that has been around Philly comedy for a long time, but not always as the performer, instructor, pizza lightning rod that we know him to be now. We’ll talk about his move from watching shows to being in them, some improv / sketch Read more…

The Gettin Close podcast returns with a long attempted episode featuring a staple of the Philly comedy scene, improv group- The Future. I can’t pretend to be impartial here since I’m great friends with all these people and directed this team for years. I was very happy we could all Read more…

In this episode of Gettin Close I sit down with Philly performer, coach, writer and pret-ty awesome person, Gab Bottoni. We talk inspirations, screenwriting, improv, and hit on a bunch of the projects she’s been involved in over the years. Gab is moving to LA, but she’ll have two shows Read more…

In this episode of I get close with Philly performer, director, instructor, and all around great person, Molly Scullion! We talk about how she got into comedy, who she sees as an influence on her writing and performing, many of her projects in detail, and her experiences as the creator Read more…

In this episode I get close with Philly performer, director, actor, instructor, coach- Fred Brown! Fred could be seen weekly for the last five years or so on the long running improv team The Future. Starting September 19th you can see him in his Philly Fringe show “A Practical Demonstration…”. Read more…

In this episode I get close with Philly performer, writer, and director Sarah Clemency. Sarah is known for improv teams Fjord, Overlook, and the weekly Long Story Short at Philly Improv Theater. She directs one of the latest two Harold teams at PHIT with Wavelength. Over the last two Fringe Read more…

After a nearly 3 year long hiatus, the Gettin’ Close podcast is back possibly when the world needs it least. The last episode took place in 2015 with House of Solitude (one of probably many facts I get wrong on this episode). It wasn’t a planned break. I just got busy Read more…

In this episode of Gettin’ Close I got to chat with Caitlin Weigel and Dan Corkery who together make-up the sketch duo House of Solitude. We talked about past projects like Davenger and Asteroid!, current projects The Future and Goat Rodeo, improvising, directing/teaching and of course their upcoming show. See Read more…

This episode of Gettin’ Close with Mike Marbach is somewhat unique. Most of the podcasts feature a comedian of some kind. That’s who they are, that’s what they do. This one features one that did and now he doesn’t. Andrew Stober is a former performer at the Philly Improv Theater. Read more…

In this episode of Gettin’ Close I sit down to chat with improv duo, Virginia Jack. The two were in Philly to perform at Philly Improv Theater’s annual Duofest, which is an improv festival focused on improv duos. We talk getting started in improv, their improv format and how it Read more…

In this episode of Gettin’ Close with Mike Marbach I sit down with Steve Kleinedler to talk about performing in improv, sketch, scripted theater, directing improv, sketch and scripted theater,  the dictionary and much more. And as always go to AudibleTrial.com/StarkRavenMad and sign up for a FREE trial and get a FREE audiobook Read more…

Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson, AKA “The Mountain” from Game of Thrones, is in Philly for the weekend. He’s going to be appearing at the Philly Ren Faire May 16th and 17th. You’ll have the chance to meet him, get your picture taken and if you planned ahead you’ll get to train Read more…

In this episode I get close with Aaron Nevins and Kate Banford. Most recently they co-hosted the 2015 Philly Comedy Awards. We talk a little about that night as well as the preparation leading up to the awards and the areas where improvements can be made. We also talked about Read more…

This episode of the Gettin’ Close with Me podcast features Philly’s Aubrie Williams! Aubrie has been involved in Philly comedy for several years now. Two of her most recent projects have shows coming up. The first is Goat Rodeo whose Disnyy Froozen will be ending its run at PHIT with Read more…

In the first podcast of 2015 I sit down with Philly Improv pioneer, Matt Holmes. We discuss his comedy interests, the early days of longform improv in Philly, as well as the coaching, teaching and general theories of improv. You can see him in Matt& at PHIT on Sunday, February Read more…

In this episode I get close with Philly performer, old friend, and all around awesome person- Jessica Snow! We talk about many of her projects including but not limited to the near decade old, very popular short-form improv show- The N Crowd, the creation, cast/director changes, and overall run of PHIT House Read more…

In this episode I get close with the most renowned comedy troupe in the world- the Cambrdige Footlights! They were kind enough to sit down with me to chat before one of their two shows at Philly Improv Theater (the Footlights have shows at PHIT every summer). You might not know Read more…

My guest for this episode of the Gettin Close podcast which was recorded live at the Philly Improv Theater, was the very funny Tim Butterly. I know Tim mostly through the shows he does at The Sideshow with Mike Rainey- The Not For Nothin’ Podcast. Easily one of the funniest Read more…

A few weeks ago, one of the improv duos in town for Philly Improv Theater’s Duofest 2014 was kind enough to sit down with me to chat. That duo was Jack & the Wolf, otherwise known as Jack Farrell and Wolfgang Stein. I know both from my time in Chicago, though I Read more…

The Gettin’ Close podcast returns! After months of inactivity I was finally able to get this going again and now with a new microphone. So we’re back and slight better than ever! This podcast features long time Philly sketch comedy group, Secret Pants. They’ve been around for a decade so Read more…

My guest this episode is none other than 30 Rock’s, Scott Adsit! Many know him as Pete Hornberger, but he’s done lots of other things including Moral Orel on cartoon network, Mr. Show and tons of bit parts and guest spots. He was in town for Duofest at Philly Improv Read more…

In this long overdue to be posted episode I sit down with one of my improv mentors, Susan Messing. Susan was in town in July when she did a weekend of workshops and shows at PHIT with Christina Gausas. Susan is one of my biggest inspirations. Not only do I Read more…

After a brief hiatus, the Gettin’ Close podcast returns! The guest this time around is stand-up comedian and author, Michael “F’n” Rainey. I first met Mike in the basement of the Shubin theater where him and his buddy, Tim Butterly, were doing bits in these horrible (being great) delco/northeast Philly Read more…

In this episode I get close with the Reckoning’s Jet Eveleth! I was able to sit down with Jet when she came to PHIT for her Duofest show with Scott Adsit (who happens to be next on the podcast!). It was in the Reckoning that I was introduced to her Read more…

In this 18th episode of the Gettin’ Close podcast I chat with one of my improv mentors, Mark Sutton. The Annoyance theater has played a big part in shaping my views about performing improv and Mark specifically has done a great deal to shape my views about teaching it. In Read more…

Philly Improv Theater Executive Director Greg Maughan is the guest on this latest episode of the Gettin’ Close podcast. And it’s a long one. Even when compared to others. I thought of editing this down… then thought of breaking it up into two episodes… but nope. I want it all Read more…

In the sweet sixteen episode of the Gettin’ Close Podcast I’m joined by friend of the podcast and friend of life, Brendan Kennedy. We sit down down his Guitly Pleasures cohort, Roger C. Snair and his lady. This was recorded back in December, but it has now been released upon Read more…

It’s the first episode of the new year/season! When we left of last season the podcast was but a nominee for an award, but we return a winner. Yes, this podcast has won “Best Podcast or Web Series” in the 2013 Witout Awards. Thank you to everyone that voted and Read more…

In the season finale of the Gettin Close podcast I sit down with Philly performer, Chip Chantry. We talk about the usual how-he-got-into-comedy stuff as well as what he does for a living, what you do when you have a year off, Steve Guttenberg, Face Time, The Wid, sketch videos, future plans, Read more…

Although it was recorded weeks ago, I am finally now posting the Gettin Close episode featuring King Friday! The now former PHIT House Team was great enough to get together and chat about all things Friday. From their birth as 3 Mad Rituals in the 2009 Fringe Festival to the addition/subtraction of Read more…

After just about two months off the Gettin Close podcast returns! This episode I sit down with Aaron Hertog just two days before he leaves for Los Angeles. Real good chat. Covers all the basic gettin close staples like how he got into comedy, discusses some of the different projects Read more…

In the eleventh episode of the Gettin Close Podcast I sit down with Dangerous Fools! They have become a favorite of mine (and many others) and their shows are not to be missed. Thomas Fowler and Mary Carpenter of two of the most patient players you’ll see and craft a Read more…

This is the 10th episode! That’s right folks, double digits. You can no longer count the number of podcasts on one hand or foot. And what better way to celebrate our entry into double digits than with an appearance by Nathan Edmondson. Nathan has been a staple in Philly arts Read more…

After a short delay between recording to posting, the 9th episode of the Gettin’ Close with Mike Marbach podcast sees the light of day. This was a great talk with a really funny guy, Doogie Horner. Up until this point I had only had short exchanges in passing with him. Read more…

This 8th episode of the Gettin’ Close podcast is one that’s extra special to me. I mean, they’re all special. I love all of them… but this one holds particular weight because the guy that I talk with, as you’ll hear me say in the intro, comes from a team Read more…

In the 7th episode of the Gettin Close with Mike Marbach podcast I get close with improviser/writer, Rich Talarico. Rich has been improvising for the better part of 20 years having studied in the earlier days of iO with Charna Halpern and Del Close. He currently improvises with Dasariski (along Read more…

In the 6th episode of the Gettin Close with Mike Marbach podcast, I sit down with improv trio, Beirdo. Beirdo has been performing for about year around Philly and have come to be a favorite among many people. Making up the team is Kevin Petit, Dan Jaquette and Dennis Trafny. Read more…

In this episode I sit down with Philly comedian Rob Baniewicz. Rob has been seen around town for years in different projects most notably the sketch duo “Meg & Rob”, “Hatespeech Committee” and “Camp Woods.” You have my complete permission to break up the listening of this one. It’s long. Even by Read more…

A few weeks ago I sat down with busy N Crowder to discuss life, the ever present shortform-longform talk, the N Crowd, his feelings about Philly improv y mucho mas… then got really busy. It’s here now though! Real interesting chat with a real interesting guy who’s been around the Philly Read more…

This is the 3rd episode in the Gettin Close with Mike Marbach podcast. In this episode I journey outside the Philly comedy world and into my childhood by getting close with actor Keith Coogan. Keith was a big child star in the 80’s/90’s starring in such films as Don’t Tell Read more…

In this episode Mike talks to comedian Brendan Kennedy about growing up, getting into comedy, a life in stand-up, the witout awards, nerds, Camp Woods, stinkin patches and much more.    

Mike Marbach debuts his new interview show where he “gets close” with a different guest each time.  For the premiere episode he is joined by Kristen Schier for an in-depth conversation about how she got into the arts, improv in Philadelphia and life in general.