On December 28th, 2007 the members of the popular improv comedy troupe, The N Crowd, will perform their 65th show of 2007, marking the 52nd straight week of shows this year. Since January 5th, 2007 The N Crowd has performed at least one show a week for over 1,500 people in the Philadelphia region. The majority of these shows have taken place at The Actors Center, located at 257 N. 3rd Street. Other shows have been performed at Eastern University, Jefferson University, Ursinus College, and the Reissuance Academy. This has been the longest stretch of continuously performed shows for the troupe since their first show in April 2005.

After participating in the 2007 Philly Fringe Festival, we realized that we had at least one show every week in 2007," say Executive Director B.J. Ellis. "We then decided as a group to have shows during Thanksgiving and in late December." After the Philly Fringe festival, The N Crowd has continued to have weekly shows including a nearly sold out performance on November 23rd, Black Friday. In addition, The N Crowd has appeared for the 3rd straight year at the Philadelphia Improv Festival.

The N Crowd, one of only a few regularly performing improv comedy troupes in the city, is under the artistic direction of Jessica Snow. Every N Crowd show is completely different and dependent on suggestions from the audience. Although generally not recommended for children and the easily offended, The N Crowd prides itself on the mature, intelligent, and non-gimmicky side splitting humor it produces on the spot, without the aid of scripts each and every week.

The N Crowd was founded by Ray Reese and introduced to the Philadelphia area in March of 2005 by Ray Reese and Emily Dufton. After two amazing auditions, Ray Reese and Emily Dufton were able to cast a diverse and amazingly talented group of actors and actresses. The N Crowd performed weekly at 213 New Street from April 2005 until October 2005 after which shows were held weekly at the Society Hill Playhouse from November 2005 until June 2006. In August 2006 The N Crowd made its move to the Actors Center, where it continues to perform weekly shows. As of November 2007, The N Crowd has made over 175 performances since its first show in April 2005. “This is a talented group of people who are absolutely devoted to their art form. I can't think of any group that works harder. The N Crowd is an energetic comedic force and its existence will serve to elevate the quality of the work being done in Philadelphia,” says Alexis Simpson, member of Comedy Sportz, The Rare Bird Show, Hypnotoad, Village Idiutz, and founder of The Throng. The Philadelphia City Paper wrote, “The N Crowd fill the city with (a) needed smart giggle.” The Philadelphia Weekly said that The N Crowd was “keeping Philly funny.”

The N Crowd is mum on what their future plans are for 2008 and have not publically released what they have in store for Philadelphia. However their 200th show will fall extremely close to their 3 year anniversary of their first show in April, 2005. Odds are it will be quite the event.

Performance Summary:
Show Title: The N Crowd
Dates: Every Friday at 8 p.m.
Location: The Actors Center, 257 North 3rd Street
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Tickets: $10 (Seating is limited)