The interview with SURF REALITY co-founder Robert Prichard
Performers who played Surf Reality include: (A Who’s Who of the downtown performing arts scene)
Jim Gaffigan, Marc Maron, Louis Black, Rick Shapiro, Jeff Ross, Judah Friedlander, Sarah Gold, Sonya Sohn, Michael Portnoy, John S Hall and King Missile, Kimya Dawson and Moldy Peaches, Seth Faergolzia (Dufus), St. Rev Jen Miller , Faceboy, Maggie Estep, Angelo Moore (Dr. Mad Vibe from Fishbone), World Famous Bob, Michael Moschen, Matt Mitler, Glen Heroy, Ben Stiller, Trav SD, Irwin Smalls Trio, a comedy duo featuring Adam Felber (head writer for Bill Maher), Eric Drysdale (head writer for Colbert Report), Tammy Faye Starlite, Premium Bob (avant-garde comedy duo), Jay Martel, Steve Ratazzi, Todd Alcott, The Poster Boys, Mo B Dick, Linda Hill, Mike Epps, Deb Margolin, James Godwin, Coo-Coo Handler. Tom Burnett, Akim Funk Buddha, Brad Prowley, Bob Greenberg, Dave Konig, Burn Manhattan, Colleen Werthman, Sloven & Allen, Randy and Jason Sklar, Amy Sohn, David Jenness, Victor Verhaeghe, Robert Sikoryak, Alien Comic (Tom Murrin), Doug Skinner, Aaron Beale, Peter Pitofsky, Zeroboy
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“The atmosphere is more party than performance. The audience — many of whom will perform — bring beer from the local delis. Typical hallway conversation runs like this: “I’ll go on for three minutes, then you break in with this poem . . .” All performers get a care package, which this night included a condom, a lollipop, and a mint.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Quotes from the press about Surf Reality!
– – – – –
“At Surf Reality a form of comedy is being worked on even more alternative than alternative comedy” – The New Yorker
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Surf Reality is …the brackish undertow of the cultural comedic wave, a radical rejection of standard stand-up” – The Wall Street Journal
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Surf Reality continues its quest to present the best in alternative comedy” – Daily News
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Best Performance Art, Very Funny.” – NY Press, Best of Manhattan ’97
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Surf Reality, the Lower East Side’s infamous bastion of cutting edge, theatrical zaniness…” – Shout Magazine 1999
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Check out the Surf Reality website from back-in-the-day!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
One of the many productions that Surf Reality’s Tom and Rob produced after leaving Allen Street was a show titled
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
One of the posters for FACEBOY’s OPEN MIKE show.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Interior shot of Surf Reality
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Flyer created to announce Reverend Jen’s ‘Warrior Elf” show.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Grindhouse A-Go-Go” poster circa 1999
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Poster from Jan 1998
Robert is currently the ‘Talent Director” of RadioFreeBrooklyn – a non-commercial freeform Internet radio station.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This was the coolest performance space in the universe, with a stage that attracted the most fearless performers in NYC. Goddamn, whatta time.