The Best Man Show RETURNS
Los Angeles, California | Theatre
Comedy
The award-winning, interactive, hilarious Best Man speech from hell is returning to Edinburgh! “A solo performance that define[s] the phrases Tour-de-Force and comedy masterclass.” [★★★★★ The Reviews Hub] “The kind of laughing where you think you might just lose it completely.” [★★★★★ SMU Reviews]
The Best Man Show RETURNS
Los Angeles, California | Theatre
Comedy
2 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,610 for festivals. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
34 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
The award-winning, interactive, hilarious Best Man speech from hell is returning to Edinburgh! “A solo performance that define[s] the phrases Tour-de-Force and comedy masterclass.” [★★★★★ The Reviews Hub] “The kind of laughing where you think you might just lose it completely.” [★★★★★ SMU Reviews]
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Photo: Jill Petracek
WHAT'S UP EVERYBODY IT'S YOUR BOY PAUL "BIG DOG" ROSE!!! Sorry wait, no, this is Mark speaking. Hi!
Can you believe I’m going back to Edinburgh Fringe for the third year in a row!? And this year at the most prestigious, incredible venue – Assembly! So I need your help! At least 80% of my goal has to be reached in order for me to keep the funds. Every single dollar raised will go towards the show.
You’re cordially invited to this interactive polyamorous wedding reception, where the Groom’s brother delivers a speech you’ll never forget!
The Best Man Show is an interactive and darkly hilarious wedding reception where Mark Vigeant plays the Groom’s brother Paul, who has been asked to give the toast at an untraditional polyamorous commitment ceremony.
It starts out fun and silly, with your typical masculine roasting and ribbing – and slowly devolves into a drunken chaotic mess where Paul tries desperately to understand what it means to love, but can’t get over his own toxic masculinity to recognize how lonely he is.
Throughout the show, Mark recruits audience members to play the various guests at the wedding reception: the groom Charles, and his two brides Carrie and Paige who he gets to play against each other; his daughter Ella who comes onstage to sing a song; his Dad who is deeply disappointed in him, his mother who can’t stop crying; his wife who he doesn’t get along with; and of course a photographer to document everything and post it to Instagram.
It culminates in a melancholic and beautiful dance performance, followed by a twist ending that leaves audiences uplifted and inspired.
Photo: Jill Petracek
Winner: Best Comedy Hollywood Fringe Festival 2024
“Mark Vigeant give[s] a solo performance that define[s] the phrases Tour-de-Force and comedy masterclass.”
★★★★★ – The Reviews Hub
“The kind of laughing where you think you might just lose it completely.”
★★★★★ – SMU Reviews
“If conventional comedy is your cup of tea, this is a nightmare.”
★★★★★ – Fernyhough Arts Review
“From the moment he steps on stage, Vigeant commands attention with an energy that is both frenetic and infectious. His comedic timing is impeccable. And his ability to improvise with the audience adds an extra layer of spontaneous hilarity to the show”
“one of the most ingenious one-man shows I have ever seen.”
“There is a fearlessness to Vigeant’s humor that is infectious to watch”
“Mark Vigeant brings down the house once again”
“the gift of a drunken toast that keeps on giving.”
Mark Vigeant is an energetic, joyful, and silly physical comedian based in Los Angeles.
He is currently touring his award-winning 5-star interactive solo show The Best Man Show around the world, and his brand-new show Out There is premiering at the Hollywood Fringe Festival this June.
His deeply personal solo show Mark Pleases You had a critically-acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in 2023 after winning “Best of the Fest” at the San Diego International Fringe Festival, as well as the “Hollywood Producer’s Encore Award” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival that same year. The show was given a platinum medal by TheTVolution.com and 5 stars by Everything-Theatre.co.uk.
Photo: Jill Petracek
His first solo show, Let’s Make a Website, had a sold-out run at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater (UCB) in New York before touring the country from the Kennedy Center to Comedy Central’s Clusterfest. His lo-fi, fast-paced sketch group OSFUG had a sold-out monthly show at UCB for 5 years. Mark studied improv and sketch-writing at the UCB, acting at The Actor’s Gang, and clown under John Gilkey and Kevin Kreiger at the Idiot Workshop. Even though he went to school for engineering, he gave the majority of his energy in college to his improv group The Whistling Shrimp.
This project wouldn't exist without the incredible direction of Joanna Simmons.
Joanna Simmons is a writer/director living in New York City. She has directed over 20 solo shows, countless comedy shows, and taught classes on solo show creation and creative writing. A self-proclaimed, "Story Midwife", she'd love to help you get your next show out of your head!
Her work has been performed at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater, the Magnet, Wild Project, Under St Marks, the Tank, Austin Comedy Festival, the San Diego Fringe, the Hollywood Fringe, the Harrisburg Fringe, the Miami Fringe, and the Edinburgh Fringe.
Photo: Jill Petracek
It’s a scary time. People don’t trust one another. People are afraid – and for good reason. I’m not gonna list ‘em here, but you know ‘em!
The best weapon we have against fear is love. At a time when it’s easier than ever to retreat to our couches and get sucked into our devices, the shared experience of live theater is vital. We need to be going out experiencing art that makes us feel and connect with our fellow humans.
The Best Man Show is funny and transportive, and will get you thinking all about love. It’s a unique theater experience that brings you into the show.
Bringing this to Fringe, to the esteemed Assembly venue, gives me the opportunity to share my work at the highest level. This will enable me to access producers, directors, artists, and audiences from all across the globe who will not only get to love and enjoy the show themselves, but help me bring the show to even greater heights.
I am a one-man operation at Fringe this year. I’m the writer, the performer, the producer, the promoter – I’m all of it. 100% of the costs fall upon my shoulders. On top of that, I have to pause my income-generating survival jobs for the month of august – and still pay rent back at home! Yikes! Soooo that’s why I’m coming to you for help!
Photo: Jill Petracek
My campaign goal of $5,500 will cover the costs of theater rental and outdoor promotion. This budget will secure my ability to meet the bare minimum of what it costs to put this thing on.
- Renting my venue: I will be at Assembly George Square, the Crate, which costs $2,149 plus taxes
- OutOfHand Posters: I have secured 5 large outdoor posters this year, which cost $1,500 plus taxes
- Technician: I am paying $1,000 for a technician to work on my show every day
- Fliers: I hand out fliers each and every day, and this year I'll be paying an assistant to help me out
My $5,500 goal is the bare minimum to perform in Edinburgh
Photo: Jill Petracek
If we can raise $8,000, that will help fund my whole trip:
- Flat rental – not even gonna tell you how much it was dude lol
- Flights – $1k+
Photo: Jill Petracek
If we can raise $10,000, I can pay myself for the work. I am a working artist, and I often have to perform my job for free. Creating art is my vocation – I love it. But the amount of work I’ve invested in this show, at the level I’m at, for this long, begs more compensation. Achieving this milestone would help ensure that I don’t need to panic the moment I get home.
The fundraiser begins while I'm premiering my new show OUT THERE in Hollywood and Harrisburg, the months of June & July. The moment we hit our goal, I shall begin fulfilling incentives!!!
Hollywood Fringe | June 9-28
Note: this is for my new show, OUT THERE
Tickets: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/12068?tab=tickets
Venue: The Broadwater Blackbox
Peformances:
- June 9 @ 7pm
- June 17 @ 7pm
- June 21 @ 5:30pm
- June 24 @ 5pm
- June 28 @ 11:55pm
Harrisburg Fringe | July 17-19
Note: this is for my new show, OUT THERE
Tickets: https://harrisburg.ssboxoffice.com/events/out-there/
Venue: Open Stage - Capital Blue Cross Main Stage
Performances:
- July 17 @ 7:50pm
- July 18 @6pm
- July 19 @ 2pm
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Theater Rental
Costs $2,149
I've been accepted into the prestigious Assembly festival, and need to cover the rental for the space
Advertising
Costs $2,300
Posters and flyering are crucial elements to getting audiences out to my show. I'm my own PR team.
Technician
Costs $1,000
The operator is in charge of making the lights and sound go every single night
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Mark Vigeant – Writer, Actor, Producer
Mark Vigeant is an energetic, joyful, and silly physical comedian based in Los Angeles. He is currently touring his award-winning 5-star interactive solo show The Best Man Show around the world. His newest show Out There premieres at Hollywood Fringe in June.
His deeply personal solo show Mark Pleases You had a critically-acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in 2023 after winning “Best of the Fest” at the San Diego International Fringe Festival, as well as the “Hollywood Producer’s Encore Award” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival that same year. The show was given a platinum medal by TheTVolution.com and 5 stars by Everything-Theatre.co.uk.
His first solo show, Let’s Make a Website, had a sold-out run at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater (UCB) in New York before touring the country from the Kennedy Center to Comedy Central’s Clusterfest. His lo-fi, fast-paced sketch group OSFUG had a sold-out monthly show at UCB for 5 years. Other shows at UCB include An Evening with the Trumpet Boys, Dorothy Goes to Hollywood, Ocean’s Lake and Maude Night.
From 2018 to 2023 he hosted the monthly tech-based variety show Internet Explorers at Caveat in New York. Mark studied improv and sketch-writing at the UCB, acting at The Actor’s Gang, and clown under John Gilkey and Kevin Kreiger at the Idiot Workshop. Even though he went to school for engineering, he gave the majority of his energy in college to his improv group The Whistling Shrimp.
Joanna Simmons – Director
Joanna Simmons is a writer/director living in New York City. She has directed over 20 solo shows, countless comedy shows, and taught classes on solo show creation and creative writing. A self-proclaimed, "Story Midwife", She'd love to help you get your next show out of your head! Find me on Instagram @joannaksimmons
Her work has been performed at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater, the Magnet, Wild Project, Under St Marks, the Tank, Austin Comedy Festival, the San Diego Fringe, the Hollywood Fringe, the Harrisburg Fringe, the Miami Fringe, and the Edinburgh Fringe.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Photo: Jill Petracek
WHAT'S UP EVERYBODY IT'S YOUR BOY PAUL "BIG DOG" ROSE!!! Sorry wait, no, this is Mark speaking. Hi!
Can you believe I’m going back to Edinburgh Fringe for the third year in a row!? And this year at the most prestigious, incredible venue – Assembly! So I need your help! At least 80% of my goal has to be reached in order for me to keep the funds. Every single dollar raised will go towards the show.
You’re cordially invited to this interactive polyamorous wedding reception, where the Groom’s brother delivers a speech you’ll never forget!
The Best Man Show is an interactive and darkly hilarious wedding reception where Mark Vigeant plays the Groom’s brother Paul, who has been asked to give the toast at an untraditional polyamorous commitment ceremony.
It starts out fun and silly, with your typical masculine roasting and ribbing – and slowly devolves into a drunken chaotic mess where Paul tries desperately to understand what it means to love, but can’t get over his own toxic masculinity to recognize how lonely he is.
Throughout the show, Mark recruits audience members to play the various guests at the wedding reception: the groom Charles, and his two brides Carrie and Paige who he gets to play against each other; his daughter Ella who comes onstage to sing a song; his Dad who is deeply disappointed in him, his mother who can’t stop crying; his wife who he doesn’t get along with; and of course a photographer to document everything and post it to Instagram.
It culminates in a melancholic and beautiful dance performance, followed by a twist ending that leaves audiences uplifted and inspired.
Photo: Jill Petracek
Winner: Best Comedy Hollywood Fringe Festival 2024
“Mark Vigeant give[s] a solo performance that define[s] the phrases Tour-de-Force and comedy masterclass.”
★★★★★ – The Reviews Hub
“The kind of laughing where you think you might just lose it completely.”
★★★★★ – SMU Reviews
“If conventional comedy is your cup of tea, this is a nightmare.”
★★★★★ – Fernyhough Arts Review
“From the moment he steps on stage, Vigeant commands attention with an energy that is both frenetic and infectious. His comedic timing is impeccable. And his ability to improvise with the audience adds an extra layer of spontaneous hilarity to the show”
“one of the most ingenious one-man shows I have ever seen.”
“There is a fearlessness to Vigeant’s humor that is infectious to watch”
“Mark Vigeant brings down the house once again”
“the gift of a drunken toast that keeps on giving.”
Mark Vigeant is an energetic, joyful, and silly physical comedian based in Los Angeles.
He is currently touring his award-winning 5-star interactive solo show The Best Man Show around the world, and his brand-new show Out There is premiering at the Hollywood Fringe Festival this June.
His deeply personal solo show Mark Pleases You had a critically-acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in 2023 after winning “Best of the Fest” at the San Diego International Fringe Festival, as well as the “Hollywood Producer’s Encore Award” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival that same year. The show was given a platinum medal by TheTVolution.com and 5 stars by Everything-Theatre.co.uk.
Photo: Jill Petracek
His first solo show, Let’s Make a Website, had a sold-out run at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater (UCB) in New York before touring the country from the Kennedy Center to Comedy Central’s Clusterfest. His lo-fi, fast-paced sketch group OSFUG had a sold-out monthly show at UCB for 5 years. Mark studied improv and sketch-writing at the UCB, acting at The Actor’s Gang, and clown under John Gilkey and Kevin Kreiger at the Idiot Workshop. Even though he went to school for engineering, he gave the majority of his energy in college to his improv group The Whistling Shrimp.
This project wouldn't exist without the incredible direction of Joanna Simmons.
Joanna Simmons is a writer/director living in New York City. She has directed over 20 solo shows, countless comedy shows, and taught classes on solo show creation and creative writing. A self-proclaimed, "Story Midwife", she'd love to help you get your next show out of your head!
Her work has been performed at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater, the Magnet, Wild Project, Under St Marks, the Tank, Austin Comedy Festival, the San Diego Fringe, the Hollywood Fringe, the Harrisburg Fringe, the Miami Fringe, and the Edinburgh Fringe.
Photo: Jill Petracek
It’s a scary time. People don’t trust one another. People are afraid – and for good reason. I’m not gonna list ‘em here, but you know ‘em!
The best weapon we have against fear is love. At a time when it’s easier than ever to retreat to our couches and get sucked into our devices, the shared experience of live theater is vital. We need to be going out experiencing art that makes us feel and connect with our fellow humans.
The Best Man Show is funny and transportive, and will get you thinking all about love. It’s a unique theater experience that brings you into the show.
Bringing this to Fringe, to the esteemed Assembly venue, gives me the opportunity to share my work at the highest level. This will enable me to access producers, directors, artists, and audiences from all across the globe who will not only get to love and enjoy the show themselves, but help me bring the show to even greater heights.
I am a one-man operation at Fringe this year. I’m the writer, the performer, the producer, the promoter – I’m all of it. 100% of the costs fall upon my shoulders. On top of that, I have to pause my income-generating survival jobs for the month of august – and still pay rent back at home! Yikes! Soooo that’s why I’m coming to you for help!
Photo: Jill Petracek
My campaign goal of $5,500 will cover the costs of theater rental and outdoor promotion. This budget will secure my ability to meet the bare minimum of what it costs to put this thing on.
- Renting my venue: I will be at Assembly George Square, the Crate, which costs $2,149 plus taxes
- OutOfHand Posters: I have secured 5 large outdoor posters this year, which cost $1,500 plus taxes
- Technician: I am paying $1,000 for a technician to work on my show every day
- Fliers: I hand out fliers each and every day, and this year I'll be paying an assistant to help me out
My $5,500 goal is the bare minimum to perform in Edinburgh
Photo: Jill Petracek
If we can raise $8,000, that will help fund my whole trip:
- Flat rental – not even gonna tell you how much it was dude lol
- Flights – $1k+
Photo: Jill Petracek
If we can raise $10,000, I can pay myself for the work. I am a working artist, and I often have to perform my job for free. Creating art is my vocation – I love it. But the amount of work I’ve invested in this show, at the level I’m at, for this long, begs more compensation. Achieving this milestone would help ensure that I don’t need to panic the moment I get home.
The fundraiser begins while I'm premiering my new show OUT THERE in Hollywood and Harrisburg, the months of June & July. The moment we hit our goal, I shall begin fulfilling incentives!!!
Hollywood Fringe | June 9-28
Note: this is for my new show, OUT THERE
Tickets: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/12068?tab=tickets
Venue: The Broadwater Blackbox
Peformances:
- June 9 @ 7pm
- June 17 @ 7pm
- June 21 @ 5:30pm
- June 24 @ 5pm
- June 28 @ 11:55pm
Harrisburg Fringe | July 17-19
Note: this is for my new show, OUT THERE
Tickets: https://harrisburg.ssboxoffice.com/events/out-there/
Venue: Open Stage - Capital Blue Cross Main Stage
Performances:
- July 17 @ 7:50pm
- July 18 @6pm
- July 19 @ 2pm
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Theater Rental
Costs $2,149
I've been accepted into the prestigious Assembly festival, and need to cover the rental for the space
Advertising
Costs $2,300
Posters and flyering are crucial elements to getting audiences out to my show. I'm my own PR team.
Technician
Costs $1,000
The operator is in charge of making the lights and sound go every single night
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Mark Vigeant – Writer, Actor, Producer
Mark Vigeant is an energetic, joyful, and silly physical comedian based in Los Angeles. He is currently touring his award-winning 5-star interactive solo show The Best Man Show around the world. His newest show Out There premieres at Hollywood Fringe in June.
His deeply personal solo show Mark Pleases You had a critically-acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in 2023 after winning “Best of the Fest” at the San Diego International Fringe Festival, as well as the “Hollywood Producer’s Encore Award” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival that same year. The show was given a platinum medal by TheTVolution.com and 5 stars by Everything-Theatre.co.uk.
His first solo show, Let’s Make a Website, had a sold-out run at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater (UCB) in New York before touring the country from the Kennedy Center to Comedy Central’s Clusterfest. His lo-fi, fast-paced sketch group OSFUG had a sold-out monthly show at UCB for 5 years. Other shows at UCB include An Evening with the Trumpet Boys, Dorothy Goes to Hollywood, Ocean’s Lake and Maude Night.
From 2018 to 2023 he hosted the monthly tech-based variety show Internet Explorers at Caveat in New York. Mark studied improv and sketch-writing at the UCB, acting at The Actor’s Gang, and clown under John Gilkey and Kevin Kreiger at the Idiot Workshop. Even though he went to school for engineering, he gave the majority of his energy in college to his improv group The Whistling Shrimp.
Joanna Simmons – Director
Joanna Simmons is a writer/director living in New York City. She has directed over 20 solo shows, countless comedy shows, and taught classes on solo show creation and creative writing. A self-proclaimed, "Story Midwife", She'd love to help you get your next show out of your head! Find me on Instagram @joannaksimmons
Her work has been performed at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater, the Magnet, Wild Project, Under St Marks, the Tank, Austin Comedy Festival, the San Diego Fringe, the Hollywood Fringe, the Harrisburg Fringe, the Miami Fringe, and the Edinburgh Fringe.