A Break-Up Song

Panda Sandwich sings to a very special someone who was on our mind last September. From "Good Riddance, Summer!" at Kieran's Irish Pub. Featuring Ben Egerman, John McConville, Heather Meyer, and Rachel Teagle.

Come see our December show on Tuesday the 15th at 8:00! Featuring Very Secret Santas, Big Hungry Bears, and shirtless boys turning into wolves. Details at PandaSandwichComedy.com

Finger Food Anyone?

Another sketch from Panda Sandwich's "Good Riddance Summer" featuring Ben Egerman and Heather Meyer on a date.

Less than two weeks until 2009's last bite of Panda Sandwich's thick and juicy sketch comedy! See you at 8:00 on Tuesday December 15th at Kieran's Irish Pub!

Minnesota Public Radio

Minnesota Public Radio from Panda Sandwich's "Good Riddance, Summer!" featuring Heather Meyer and Rachel Teagle.

Get 2009's last bite of Panda Sandwich with "Apology Accepted" on December 15th at 8:00 at Kieran's Irish Pub!

Dive Bar: The Musical!

Video from Panda Sandwich's show at Bedlam Theatre in July.

For upcoming shows, check out our website - pandasandwichcomedy.com

Coming up: Panda Sandwich Presents: Mandrew Lloyd Webler's "Bats!" at Kieran's Irish Pub on Tuesday October 20th at 8:00 PM.
See you there!

Come Hear "Pain in the Neck"

QCT is pleased as punch to announce our first public play reading, a new comedy by the stalwart Rachel Teagle.

QUESTIONABLE COMPANY THEATRE PRESENTS THE FIRST PUBLIC READING OF PAIN IN THE NECK, A NEW LESBIAN VAMPIRE COMEDY

September 16, 2009 at Bedlam Theatre

Questionable Company Theatre presents the first public reading of Pain in the Neck a new comedy by local playwright Rachel Teagle. This inventive and endearing script concerns two women whose relationship is strained by the arrival of a mysterious stranger who offers immense professional opportunity. But it seems he wants to sink his teeth into more than her portfolio. Bedlam Theatre hosts the public of this whimsical comedy about love, bisexuality and vampires.

The event will be free of charge and offers a unique chance to be a part of a work in progress. John Heimbuch of Walking Shadow Theatre Company will direct the reading, which features local spoken word artist Katherine Glover. Rachel Teagle’s work has been seen around town at the Minnesota Fringe Festival (Orange: a farce about terrorism), Bedlam’s Ten Minute Community Play Festival (Flashenstein!) and Theatre Unbound’s 24 Hour Play Project (How the Amazons Got Their Boobs Back).

Stay tuned for more information about the reading!

By the way, the image above is "The Vampire" by Philip Burne-Jones, which was said to have inspired his cousin, Rudyard Kipling's poem of the same name. Thanks internet!

JUST ONE MORE NIGHT

Tonight marks the triumphant conclusion of Pre-Fringe Appetizers: Two Courses of Comedy. So if you haven't yet tasted the endanger-licous-ness that is Panda Sandwich and the forbidden fruit that is WTF in the Garden of Eden, you should get your little behind down to Bedlam Theatre tonight and catch our very last Bedlam Performance.

We're also bringing back our fabulous "Bring Two - Get in Free!" deal we ran last year for Orange. If you think you can get 2 or more people to come see the show with you, email ben.egerman AT gmail dot com saying so, and we'll have a comp ticket waiting for you at the door!

This is a mega-sweet show full of mega-sweet people and we'd love to share our awesome with you. And for our closing show, I am offering free hugs to anyone who asks me. So come on down to Bedlam tonight at 7:30 for some laughs, some beer, and a hug from the Teagle-maister herself.

Meet Panda Sandwich: Ben "MadDog" Egerman

Ben Egerman is an actor/writer/director who moved to Minneapolis in June of 2008 immediately after graduating from Carleton College. His hobbies and interests include stand-up comedy, gadgetry, long walks on the beach, beer, puppies, playing banjo, and gay stuff. He would like to thank everyone who helped make this group possible/awesome, Maren for letting us book the space, and of course, Satan, without whom none of this would be possible.

JUST ONE MORE DAY TILL PANDA-LICOUS-NESS!!

WE OPEN ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT!!!

Come check us out at Bedlam Theatre July 22-25th at 7:30 PM!

Get there, or Ben will come and find you.

Meet Panda Sandwich: Rachel "Pandatacular" Teagle

Rachel Teagle, director, playwright, and comedian, grew up in the Silicon Valley and graduated from Carleton College in 2008 with a degree in Theater. She threw herself into the Minneapolis theater scene with "Orange: a farce (about terrorism)" in last year's Fringe and has since been working with such swell folks as the Workhaus Collective, Theater Unbound's 24 Hour Play Project, Women Stand-Up!, Bedlam Theatre, and interning in the Literary Department of the Guthrie. Coming up, catch "A Cynic Tells Love Stories" written and performed by the wonderful Katherine Glover and directed by the stalwart Ms. Teagle. If she were a Panda Sandwich, she'd eat the crust first.


WEDNESDAY!!! OPENING NIGHT!!!

BE THERE!!!

BEDLAM THEATRE 7:30 PM

Meet Panda Sandwich: John "Sparkles" McConville

Panda SandwichJohn McConville is from Hudson, WI and is delighted to have an excuse to cross the river to entertain you fine people. A graduate of UW River Falls, spent four and half years pretending to be studious to the point of duping the college to confer a degree upon him. Now he is dedicated to focusing his energy to duping audiences outside of the collegiate realm that he is funny. He appreciates you being here and hopes you fall for his façade.


Wednesday is our OPENING NIGHT!!! There's a sweet AFTERPARTY!!! See you there!!

Sweet Sweet Blog Love

We've been fortunate enough to generate some positive feedback in the Blogospherical arena of the Twin Cities theater scene. First up is the illustrious Matthew Everett playwright, critic, and Fringe blogger extraordinaire. With his mother at his side, he navigates through the good, bad, and ugly of each year's Fringe, posting tons of quippy and thoughtful reviews. You know you've made it in Fringe when you have a glowing Matthew Everett quote to put on your page. He also covers the Fringe for All, where Katherine Glover (whose show is directed by QCT's Rachel Teagle) did a preview of A Cynic Tells Love Stories which garnered a very nice review from the aforementioned Mr. Everett. BUT! Mr. Everett was kind (and awesome) enough to sneak in a plug for our Pre-Fringe Appetizers Show at the end of the article, which made me cheer at my desk. So, to Matthew, have a baby panda, on us.

But that's not the only love we're getting. The incomparable phillip andrew bennet low was kind (and awesome) enough to spotlight us in A Pre-Fringe Pre-Fringe Profile, in which Ben and I give snarky answers to his snarky questions. It's pretty awesome. Like Phil, who's currently on the road with The Rise of General Arthur his solo show about the Gulf War and Arthurian mythology. You can follow his delightful and perilous journey on his Production Blog which is full of delightful tidbits of the wit, political venom, and self deprecation that make Phil one of our favorites.

So thank you, awesome blog-folk. You are our bamboo.

FIVE FREAKING DAYS LEFT UNTIL WE OPEN!!! And I, personally, have passed my panic point and am going into nervous glee. We have an awesome show for you folks. And on opening night, we have an awesome Afterparty! with bands, comedy, improv, and more!!
So come see the show (IN FIVE DAYS!!! EEE!!)

Photo Shoot!!

Panda Sandwich

Photos from our shoot with photographer Serge Vaynshenk last week. Upon reviewing the pictures, apparently the theme was violence and homo-eroticism. What themes do you find?

You can also see it in a sweet slideshow!

WE OPEN IN A WEEK!!! AAAAAH!!!! AAAAAAAH!!!

Come see us July 22-25th at Bedlam Theatre in Minneapolis!

Unicornland!

Look! We're sketch comedians and vloggers! Bitchin'!

Nine days to showtime

Meet Panda Sandwich: Michael "Left Eye" Venske

Rogue actor Michael Venske has been performing and producing theater in the Twin Cities since 2005. He is alum of Brave New Workshop and has worked with the Guthrie Theater, Steppingstone Theater, Urban Samurai Productions, Duluth Playhouse and Rubber Chicken Productions, Minnesota Ballet, Got Nothin’ To News, Homeward Bound, Brave New Institute, Four Humors, Five Man Job, Mime Rifle, Walk On Red, North Heights Productions, La Vie Theatre and the Minnesota Fringe Festival. He’s appeared in three commercials, nine student films, and one Sunday school video about “sharing. Michael is a breakfast critic, ordained minister, and a scooter enthusiast that’s driven across America on “Shirley,” his scooter. Happy Birthday to G!

See this cutie patootie and more in Pre-Fringe Appetizers: Two Courses of Comedy at Bedlam Theatre, July 22-25th.

You can even be our fan on Facebook! Yay social media!

Meet Panda Sandwich: Heather "Wildcat" Meyer

Heather Meyer is an extremely flexible writer and performer. Frequently throughout each day Heather can be seen talking to herself, these "mini-performances" are what started the on-line trend that is Twitter. It all started after some hipsters became tired of following Heather around the Twin Cities listening to her witty and irreverent observations The hipsters met up with some geeks at an unspecified bus stop and developed the Internet phenomenon Twitter, to mimic the "mini-self-talking-performances" of Heather Meyer. Originally named, "What Else Is This Woman Saying When No One is Listening?" the website quickly changed it's name to Twitter when advanced marketing consultants decided that was more fun to say and way easier to spell.

See this kick-ass comedian at Pre Fringe Appetizers: Two Courses of Comedy July 22-25th at Bedlam Theatre on the West Bank.

Psst! Be a Facebook Fan! All the cool kids are doing it...

Get Ready...

Excited for Fringe? Why not whet your whistle with us?

Pre-Fringe Appetizers: Two Courses of Comedy

Bedlam Theater July 22-25th, Show at 7:30, doors at 7

See PANDA SANDWICH - thick and juicy sketch comedy from Ben, Rachel, and some uber-talented local comedians and writers.



Along with "WTF in the Garden of Eden" a play by Adam Sharp and Bethany Simmons, the minds who brought you "10 10 post 9-11" in last year's festival.



Big Opening Night Party on Wednesday June 22nd!

More details to come, hope to see you all there!!

PANDA SANDWICH wants you!

As chances of getting off the waitlist grew slimmer and slimmer, Rachel and Ben began to forge their own path, in conjunction with their compatriots Adam and Bethany from Box Wine Theater.
Together, Questionable Company and Box Wine will present a double-header extravaganza at Bedlam just before Fringe featuring “WTF in the Garden of Eden” and the inaugural performance of a new sketch comedy group (created by the stalwart Ben and Rachel) Panda Sandwich!

Want in?

We want you, too!

Come audition for us! Details about the group follow. Email pandabox.info AT gmail.com to sign up!

Audition Dates/Times:

Monday, May 25th: 7:00-8:30 p.m. and 8:30-10:00 p.m. time slots.
Tuesday, May 26th: 7:00-8:30 p.m. time slot.
* Please plan on being at auditions for the full hour-and-a-half.

Callbacks:
Tuesday, May 26th: 8:30-10:00 p.m.

Audition Location:
Bedlam Theatre
1501 S. 6th St.
on the West Bank, Minneapolis

Audition Requirements:
-To schedule an audition please email pandabox.info@gmail.com with your name and preferred time slot.
-Please bring a resume and headshot if you have them.
-Feel free to bring in a scene or monologue that exhibits what you do best (2 mins max).
-Panda Sandwich: Be ready to think and write on your feet.
-Box Wine Theatre: There will also be readings from the script.

PANDA SANDWICH – THICK AND JUICY COMEDY
The Panda Sandwich Manifesto:
Panda Sandwich is a new sketch comedy group devoted to creating well-written, well-structured comedy with a group of awesome people. We’re looking for willing collaborators and good listeners who aren’t afraid to try new ideas and explore our collective ridiculousity.
-We believe that sketches are better when group-written.
-We like work that is witty and clever without being egotistical or self-important.
-We believe that a sketch is more than just a good idea, it needs to go somewhere.
-We love comedy that is loud, crass, dirty, vulgar, and ridiculous, but not just for the sake of being loud, crass, dirty, vulgar, and/or ridiculous. No shock without substance.
-We like comedy that is well-structured and surprising. Surprise us. Or else.
-And above all, comedy should be fun to make and fun to watch.
Panda Sandwich: Put us in your mouth.

BOX WINE THEATRE – WTF IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN
Box Wine Theatre is looking for 3 men and 1 woman for the satirical comedy WTF in the Garden of Eden, the Genesis they didn’t teach you in Sunday school. It’s the story of mild-mannered Adam in his journey to find the perfect companion, whether that be a girl, boy or other, and yearning to find out just WTF is wrong with the world. It’s a play for your inner blasphemer.
WTF in the Garden of Eden is also on the waiting list for the Minnesota Fringe Festival and need actors who could be available the run of the Fringe, July 30th through August 9th.
Cast of Characters:
Adam – Male: 20’s-30’s.
God – Male: Any age.
Lilith/Serpant/Archeoptrix/Cain: Female: 20’s-30’s.
Steve/Eve – Male: 20’s-30’s.
Box Wine Theatre: We’re cheap and we get the job done.

To schedule an audition please email pandabox.info@gmail.com with your name and preferred time slot. And if you can’t make it but still wish to audition please contact us and we’ll see if we can work something out.

Coming Up: More Ben and Rachel!

This Saturday March 14, you can catch the honorable Ms. Rachel Teagle performing with Bryant Lake Bowl.
Women Stand Up! is a smorgasbord of comedy styles from the Twin Cities' top female comedians. Performers run the gamut in experience and disciplines within the umbrella of comedy, including: stand-up comedians, improvisers, sketch comics, slam poets, singers, storytellers and a bit of everything in-between. Rachel will be doing stand up, mostly about dinosaurs.
So come on down to the Bryant Lake Bowl Theater, Saturday, March 14th, 2009, 10:00 pm, doors at 9:30. Only $8 with a Fringe button or $12-15 pay what you can.
Reservations: 612- 825-8949 / or on the website



Over at Bedlam Theatre, the magnanimous Mr. Egerman is working on their new show "Come to Dada" and maintaining an awesome dream blog. Have a weird dream lately? Submit it to the blogmaster and they’ll post it on the blog and use it as source material for their show.


Here’s a taste of what’s already up there:

Dream #36

I had just arrived in an airport in South Korea. I was talking to someone on the escalator about how everything here is made of paper pulp – hotel sheets, hairbrushes, even the walls of some of the buildings. It’s the new plastic, I remark. Then, I’m met by George Takei, who was coming to pick me up, and he hands me an enormous bouquet of parsley. He decides it’s time for pictures, so he passes off his camera and begins striking wacky poses behind me, as I brandish my parsley in confusion. It takes me a while to get into it, but eventually I decide it’s fun to make faces with George Takei, and as each picture is snapped, the “screen” of the dream goes white and I can see the photograph that was taken, like a cheesy photo booth montage from the makeover scene of some high school movie. Once we’re done taking pictures, we go to the hotel, which looks like someone’s storage lockers. There is wire mesh over the front walls, and they are all decorated with pictures of people that have been cut out and taped all over.
Then my boyfriend wakes me up. I tell him about my dream and how weird it was. He laughs about how much fun George Takei is, and reminds me that it’s time for summer camp. I’d been sleeping in a bunk bed, so I climb down and run outside to the picnic tables where people are doing arts and crafts and eating hot dogs. At the table across from us, a camper has a carton of orange juice and a carton of Corona beer – it’s white with blue and yellow writing on it that clearly states that it’s full of beer. My friend Jenny, who was making a beaded animal at the time, says that he’s going to get in big trouble when the counselors find out.
Then I actually wake up in neither summer camp nor South Korea, and sadly devoid of parsley.

So send your dreams to “dreams AT bedlamtheatre.org” and check out the blog. This should be crazy...

Waitlist Blues

Last night, the Minnesota Fringe Festival did their lottery to determine who will be performing next summer. Ben and I had two ping pong balls in, and we ended up being number 100 and 138 on the wait list.

That's right, our best number was 100. On the 161 person wait list. You can see the results here. We've got a show in under QCT and our sketch company Knife in the Back Productions.

But a lot of our friends did get in (hooray for you!) and we may find a way to do a show this summer after all. Still, it's really disappointing to not be officially in this year, because doing the Fringe last year completely rocked.

So, here's to hoping that a hundred shows drop out! Hooray!

Sigh.