WordPlay

WordPlay was developed by Los Angeles-based comedian and writer Alan Olifson, who loves a good story, good music and peanut butter. While peanut butter is still just a hobby, he has managed to combine his other passions into one engaging, funny genre-defying show. Yes, it is storytelling. But storytelling doesn't have to involve lemonade or an old man sitting in a rocking chair whittling something. In fact, comedians make the best storytellers -- critical observers of their world with unique points of view. And when freed from the confines of "set up, punch" delivery, they can take us to amazing places. This is especially true of star Taylor Negron, who has been pushing the boundaries between stand-up and storytelling for over a decade. Adding a live soundtrack to these stories, played in real time by DJ Chris Simental, elevates the show to a league all its own. Like a movie score, the music adds texture, humor and hidden meanings to each story. From Fall Out Boy to Bach to Britney Spears, the soundtracks Chris spins will surprise you as much as the yarn spun by the writers. WordPlay, put simply, is true stories with a live soundtrack.

Taylor Negron has starred in his own HBO special, and appeared on Friends, The Practice, E.R. and The Tonight Show. He has appeared in such films as Stuart Little, The Last Boy Scout, Angels in the Outfield, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the much ballyhooed hit The Aristocrats, and in the classic Punchline -- still almost every day someone yells out to him, "Area Rug!" Taylor co-stars in the film Entry Level with Missy Pyle and D.B Sweeny, which will premiere in spring 2007 at The Monaco Film Festival. He also will be seen in the upcoming film Retirement, opposite Rip Torn, George Segal and Peter Falk. Taylor regularly reads his work at Los Angeles spoken word shows including Sit 'n Spin at the Comedy Central stage, Word-Theater and Say the Word. He wrote the afterward to UNDER THE RAINBOW: An Intimate Memoir of Judy Garland, By John Carlyle, edited by Chris Freeman. (Carroll & Graf), which was called, "an elegant memoir," by the New York Times Book Review. You can see him this season on Reno 911 and Curb Your Enthusiasm. This August, Taylor will be performing at the prestigious Green Room at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in Scotland. His feature screenplay, Skip, is currently being developed.

Alan Olifson is a comedian, award winning humor columnist and public radio commentator. Of those three skills, obviously public radio commentator is the most dangerous. Alan started as a stand-up comic in his native Los Angeles when he was just 16, making his debut at the World Famous Laugh Factory. He quickly moved up the ranks, becoming one of the featured New Faces at the Hollywood Improv. Alan then moved to Chicago where he worked and wrote with Second City and toured comedy clubs and colleges across the country. Now living in Los Angeles, Alan is a prominent player in the emerging spoken-word scene. He has written for FX and ABC's Push, NV. His commentaries appear regularly on Weekend America and To the Best of Our Knowledge. His award-winning humor column ran for over a year in the Boston Phoenix and is currently being compiled into an easy-to-digest and hold book format.

Gemma Roskam is also an award winning writer and stand up comedian who originated on the New York scene. A graduate of New York University, she moved to LA and has been keeping people laughing ever since. Gemma's credits include national television commericals as well as a part in the film "The Replacements." If pressed, whe will also boast about her training from The Groundlings, Gotham City Improv, and the Stella Adler Conservatory.

WordPlay also boasts an impressive roster of past performers who rotate into the cast as schedules allow. Including:

Matt Price is an actor-writer type guy who has appeared on-screen in "The Office," "Arrested Development," "Reno 911," and in the upcoming Jake Kasdan-directed, "Walk Hard." He has written for various shows on Comedy Central, MTV, ESPN, and most recently the Comedy Central pilot "Root of All Evil" with Lewis Black. He created, wrote and starred in a show called "Guacamole" which you can currently find on Comedy Central's website. Matt has performed twice at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, and he co-produces "Show and Tell," an essay reading series which appears monthly at the UCB Theatre in Los Angeles.

Wendy Spero is an actress, comedian, and writer who has performed on NPR, Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, and the Food Network. Her most recent one woman show, "Who's Your Daddy?" was produced at Edinburgh Fringe Festival after a year-long run at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in NYC. Wendy has been featured in the New York Post, New York Magazine, the New Yorker, and the New York Times. Back Stage Magazine listed her as one of the "Top Ten Standout Stand-