Nathan Melcher's The Uncle Ukulele Show
Featuring the comedic juxtaposition of Big Man, Little Guitar...
The Uncle Ukulele Show is a solo musical improv comedy showcase created and performed by Minneapolis improviser, Nathan Melcher. Armed with a ukulele and a strong sense of play, Melcher performs in-character as the overly-upbeat "Uncle Ukulele," who treats his audience to an evening of improvised singing and storytelling inspired by their suggestions and strummed ot life on his trusty uke.
The Uncle Ukulele Show features tons of audience participation that sometimes even includes joining him on stage. Melcher spins original tales and creates improvised songs in a variety of musical genres, many of which his audiences never expect to hear played on a little ukulele.
Photo credit: Clay Robeson
Hear what festival producers and reviewers are saying about "The Uncle Ukulele Show."
"Sweet. Endearing. Priceless."
~ Shaun Landry, San Francisco Improv Festival producer"
Melcher has an exceptional talent for working an audience."
~ Russ Bickerstaff, ExpressMilwaukee.com
"You rule and we cannot wait to have you back!"
~ Jon Lannen, Denver Improv Festival producer
"Welcome to the future of comedy/rock fusion."
~ Andy Brynildson, Monday Night Comedy Show producer
"Melcher has a true talent for the funny. An impressive, fun, and hilarious show."
~ Matt Kemple, Milwaukee Sketch & Improv Festival producer
Check out where and when "The Uncle Ukulele Show" has appeared locally and on the festival circuit.
The Uncle Ukulele Show appeared locally in HUGE Theater's "Return of the Bearded Gentlemen" (2007), Improv A Go-Go (2007-2008), and the Monday Night Comedy Show (2007-2008).
The show has appeared at the following festivals:
- Gainesville Improv Festival (2007)
- San Francisco Improv Festival (co-headliner, 2008)
- Santa Cruz Improv Festival (co-headliner, 2008)
- Milwaukee Sketch & Improv Festival (2008)
- Denver Improv Festival (2008)
- Chicago Improv Festival (2009)
- Out of Bounds Improv Festival (2009)
Nathan hopes to have a diverse slate of shows in 2009. Please visit the calendar for upcoming shows.
The Uncle Ukulele Show is now on YouTube and The Scrawl...
Please visit our YouTube channel to catch original improvised songs based on audience suggestions. Nathan Melcher also has tutorials on musical improv and improvising lyrics available for improvisers looking to improve their improv. We're still new to the YouTube-iverse and we appreciate your ratings and comments. Nathan also writes occasional blog posts about improv teaching, performance, and festivals at The Scrawl.
SFIF Photo credit: Clay Robeson
Puny Humans (2003-2005)
Nate Melcher and Rick Simineo formed the Cheyenne, Wyoming-based improv duo Puny Humans. The pair regularly performed in Cheyenne as an improvised third-act after sketch comedy shows by The Caseous Company as well as the Improv Hootenanny show at the Bovine Metropolis Theater in Denver, Colorado and other various venues. Puny Humans performed at the Chicago Improv Festival in 2004, the Toronto Improv Festival (2005), and the inaugural Denver Improv Festival (2005). The duo was also invited to perform at the Miami Improv Festival (2006).