Gag Reflex 4th Annual New Year's Eve Comedy Bash! December 31, 2005

2 SHOWS -- 7PM & 10PM

It?s a new year and a new venue for Gag Reflex?s 4th Annual New Year?s Eve Comedy Bash! The popular Austin sketch comedy ensemble will stage the routinely sold-out event at the Hyde Park Theatre, 511 West 43rd Street, Austin (43rd Street a half-block east of Guadalupe). The group has previously sold out the Austin Playhouse, the Hideout and the Alamo Drafthouse on New Year?s Eve.

?This year?s New Year?s Bash is going to be a little different,? says cast member Kelly Winn Frink. ?For starters, we?re digging deep into the archives and performing some really obscure, hilarious stuff we haven?t done in years.?

?Plus, this show will be heavily musical and the songs are hysterical ? always among our best, most popular bits, expertly performed,? adds Dena Taylor, who sings most of the group?s songs.

The show ? ?Gag Reflex Presents The Caucasian Comedy Explosion!? ? won?t vary too wildly from the group?s trademark random mix of silly, sexy and cerebral humor that has gained the ensemble a loyal following and critical acclaim (their last show, ?Charlie and the Non-Existent Chemical Weapons Factory,? sold out two weekends at the Hyde Park Theatre and was an Austin Chronicle Pick and the group took ?Best of the Week? in the annual FronteraFest competition, leading the Austin American-Statesman to write, ?Only beautifully sick minds can create twisted comedy like this.?)

Sketch topics include office fridge cleaning, rabid mimes, Star Trek, pets, therapy, cooties and the ?extreme? phenomenon. Laura Bush, the conservative takeover of PBS, diner-speak, Patsy Cline and the Avian Flu are among the subjects skewered in song.

This year, there will be two performances to accommodate the crowd:

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for the first performance at 7:00 p.m. This early show is tailored for those who want to go out for dinner after the show or get home before midnight. It will include the comedy performance as well as beer, wine and soft drinks for an all-inclusive price of $20 per person.

At 9:30 p.m., doors will open for the 10:00 p.m. performance. This late show will feature the comedy revue as well as beer, wine, soft-drinks, delicious thin-crust Mangia pizza, a midnight champagne toast and door prizes, all included in the ticket price of $40 per person or $75 per couple.

In addition to Frink and Taylor, Gag Reflex Austin includes director Dale Roe, co-founder Joe Stafford, Carrie Sapp, James Cooper and newcomer Ryan Jeanes.

Reservations are essential and can be obtained by calling 731-3945 or visiting the Gag Reflex Web site at www.gagplanet.com.