In 1990, former Los Angeles Groundling, Cherie Kerr, conceived the idea of a sketch and improvisational comedy troupe that would perform in and for Orange County. Along with Kerr, fellow L.A. Groundling alum, Kathy Griffin, held auditions to cast some of the county’s funniest performers. In January of 1990, the first satirical review was offered with skits that lampooned the county’s ills and personalities. Eighteen years later, the troupe has become an Orange County institution, drawing ardent fans from all over the county.  The troupe, that has received rave reviews for its work, offers audiences sketch, improv and stand up comedy shows each month.

The Orange County Crazies enjoys performing in its resident home, The DePietro Performance Center, an intimate and well-appointed 78-seat facility in mid-town Santa Ana, directly across the street from the Orange County High School of the Performing Arts.

In addition to the weekly comedy shows at the DePietro, guests enjoy plays, musical concerts and other events throughout the year.

The Orange County Crazies sketch and improvisational performers encompass the best of Orange County’s talent, and none are shy about displaying their abilities in front of a crowd.  The various Crazies groups—the Main Company, Mixed Nuts, Crazies Plus and Crazie Beez—often feature a guest host who takes to the stage with them during many of its shows.

Stand up comedy shows, under the astute direction of comic Barry Weisenberg and Mike McCully, also boast of presenting the best talent of its kind in the county. Regular contest showcases offer up some of Southern California’s rising talent and many who take to the stand up stage at the DePietro are veterans. Guest judges who have judged the competition include Judy Carter, well known stand up comedy teacher and author, Kerr’s fellow Groundlings, Jim Jackman, Pat Stack and Bill Steinkellner (Bill, the creator of “Cheers”).

While Weisenberg and McCully oversee the stand up comedy shows, Kerr, who serves as Executive Producer and Artistic Director for the OC Crazies, directs many of the Crazies groups throughout the year. Aileen Braun, a senior Crazies performer and director also takes to the helm—her beat, the Mixed Nuts. Guest directors are also on hand from time to time, who often jump into the improv pieces with the actors. Special guests who have taken to the stage with Kerr and the Crazies include fellow Groundlings alumni, Julia Sweeney, Shirley Prestia and Mary Jo Smith. Phil LaMar has directed shows at the theater. L.A. Groundlings founder, Gary Austin, has also served as a guest host for the Crazies.

Some members of the OC Crazies have come to the group with extensive comedy experience and theatrical backgrounds, while others have joined after completing courses at the OC Crazies Improvisational School of Comedy. In either case the broad range of talent spans different ages and performance experience; the combination seems to be a potent one as the Crazies never fail to leave smiling faces and heavy laughter in their wake. Same holds true for the stand up comedy performers—they range in age, background and experience.

The Orange County Crazies has produced many original plays, both for adults and youth, over the years and has also founded the Annual “Canned Film Festival,” featuring comedy short subjects. Contestants have entered from all over the country.

The OC Crazies also perform for corporate “industrials,” shows that are either held on-site or at a client’s location, where the actors spoof company executives and customs or perform good old fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants improv pieces. Such shows are always custom-tailored.

Since September of 1994, through the generous support of the City of Santa Ana, the Crazies School of Improvisational Comedy has been able to visit several elementary schools within the Santa Ana Unified School District and teach underprivileged youth the basics of improv comedy. The program, Kidprovisation, which encourages children to be fully creative and expressive, makes the students much more confident before others. The program continues to be an enormous success.

In addition to its Kidprovisation program, the OC Crazies also plays host to the Orange County Juvenile Drug Court Program with its “High Life” workshops, where at-risk youngsters are given the opportunity to learn presentation and communication skills through improv comedy techniques and explore their creativity, teamwork needs and problem-solving ability.

The Orange County Crazies enjoys a rich legacy, having performed at many special and unique events.  Its emphasis is on always poking fun at the county’s foibles and neuroses.