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Making space for comedy
Chaz T. Martin and R. Eric Thomas present Variety Pack
Clowns, kids, and gossips move into the Louis Bluver Theatre at the Drake for two weekends of performances this January. After debuting in May, the Variety Pack alt-comedy festival is back.
Come and stay for comedy
Whether residents realize it or not, Philadelphia is “a big comedy town,” said festival co-producer Chaz T. Martin, from standup to improv and clowning. But there’s not always a place to perform year round. The first iteration of Variety Pack came about May 2025. Martin, who is also the literary and development manager at InterAct Theatre Company, saw an opportunity to bring together higher tech comedy and experimental shows that lacked performance space post-pandemic.
This second volume focuses on varying tastes in comedy. There will be established performers as well as those testing out new works, kid-friendly acts, humorous contests, and workshops. Returning to perform is writer R. Eric Thomas, who will present two separate hours of gossip, and is also serving as co-producer this time around.
With up to four shows a day, Martin hopes that audiences will come and stay for more than one. “We're trying to keep the audience in the habit of going out to the theater and going out to see live performances, whatever the offering might be,” Martin said.
Among the performances: Kidprov! and Kidprov! The Musical! for comedy-lovers aged seven through 12 and their adults; The Kings That Are Really Truly True: The King, The Show featuring Charlotte Northeast and a parade of fictional and self-proclaimed kingly characters in competition; The Futuremores fake award show; and the long-running She Was a Conquistawhore. Family friendly content is scheduled for earlier in the day and adult content scheduled for late night.
The festival offers a 50/50 box office split with artists, and pricing includes a pay-it-forward system to ensure accessibility. (“It should be so inexpensive that you can't afford to miss it” is Martin’s attitude.) Tickets can be purchased ahead of time or at the door, and already folks have contributed to the shared pool of free tickets. Ideally, the festival becomes a biannual event, Martin said, with performances in the winter and summer.
What, When, Where
Variety Pack, alt comedy festival presented by Chaz T. Martin and R. Eric Thomas. Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street, Philadelphia. January 22-31, 2026. $12-15 ($5 kids tickets for kids shows). tickettailor.com/events/varietypack.
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