Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Schirtzer.
Michael, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2015, I attended an Ed Asner one-man show. The theater was packed with people who paid top dollar to attend. Minutes before the show was meant to start, Ed Asner injured himself in the parking lot outside the venue. He was rushed to the hospital. During that time, the audience at the Malibu Playhouse began to get restless.
The director of the Ed Asner production was growing increasingly desperate. He was feeling the pressure of the restless audience. He started talking about bringing out an untuned piano from the back room with nobody to play it. My mother, Diane Namm Schirtzer, who was a board member to the playhouse at that time mentioned that her son did standup. The director said, “nobody knows your son.” Ten minutes later he said, “throw the kid up.”
At one year into standup, I did audience warmup for 20 minutes. Long before I had 20 minutes. It went well. And it was just long enough for Ed Asner to come back and do the show like the legend he is. After the performance, the Playhouse director suggested I start running a comedy show. Just like that, Standup @ The Malibu Playhouse was born.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The show has had its ups and downs. Mostly it’s been a rewarding experience that allows me to share opportunities with my friends.
The challenges we’ve faced have been mostly external. For instance, in November of last year, Malibu dealt with serious fires that shook our community and almost engulfed the playhouse in flames. Luckily the property survived, but the community it serves is still shaken. That’s why for the last five monthly shows we’ve done since January I’ve let anyone still reeling from the fire come in at no cost.
Please tell us about Standup @ The Malibu Playhouse.
Standup @ The Malibu Playhouse is a comedy show that brings the best comics in Los Angeles to the Westside and raises money for various charities.
Our specialty is comedy shows with thoughtful and funny lineups, all for a good cause.
My show differs from others in that I created a monthly room where comics are under no pressure to promote or bring people. Everyone gets paid, fed, and leaves with a high-quality video of their set. I tried to create a space that I would want to be booked in.
I’m proud that we’ve been able to steadily make donations to important causes like Planned Parenthood, Food Forward, and the Malibu Boys and Girls Club. Also, I’m proud that we were able to provide levity to people dealing with tragedy.
What were you like growing up?
I was a pretty regular kid. I had a lot of energy so my parents put me into martial arts. I grew up going to the beach, skipping classes in school to smoke weed, and just trying to do what we perceived as cool shit with my friends.
Contact Info:
- Address: 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
- Website: http://michaelschirtzer.com/
- Phone: 3104036242
- Email: mschirtz@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael_schirtzer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/micschirtzer?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MicSchirtzer
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
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