It's Raero, you guys!

Rachel (Raero) Rosenthal returns to Boston, where her comedy career began. She was a cast member on ImprovBoston’s Mainstage almost four years, along with performing in various showcase shows, like This Improvised Life. Now living in New York, she performs regularly at the People’s Improv Theater (The PIT). In addition to being an improviser (musical, too!) & sketch writer, Rachel is a side-project mastermind. She founded Bridesmaiding, a website dedicated to helping women plan and execute all parts of a wedding.

Rachel will be performing at this year’s BCAF with North Coast, a freestyle rap improv group from NYC. North Coast’s cast is so dynamic that when these individuals come together the energy is electrifying and contagious. [

We asked Raero a few questions about her humble beginnings, her favorites and...you guys!!! You’re about to fall in love.

HOW DID YOUR COMEDY CAREER BEGIN?
I started taking improv classes at the ripe age of 11 because I was terrible at team sports. I had way less injuries and more friends in improv than I did in soccer. (Good move, Mom!) A few years later, I had the opportunity to join a sketch and improv team with other young kids – it was pretty amazing. We wrote all of our own sketches – and had adult contributing writers as well. We performed a Second City type of show and wrote and rehearsed together every week. It was a great exercise and many of the kids from my “Half Pint Players” team are still in the entertainment business today. I did that through middle school, high school, and even into my first year of college. Then I stopped, and drank beers for a while.
That being said, it wasn’t until I started performed at ImprovBoston that I started to see the word “career” after the word “comedy.” After performing for many years there – and with the help of talented castmates and solid direction, I started to grow a lot and I finally realized – you know what? I’m kinda good this thing. Maybe I should do this.
And I made the move to New York.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT ON STAGE?
Oh man. Who can remember improv after the show is over? I can definitely tell you about my favorite moments BREAKING on stage? There was one ImprovBoston Gorefest show where Patrick French, Bobby Smithney (both present/former IB Mainstage players) and I were all in a scene working with a special effect for the first time. Basically – I played the nurse, and Patrick was the doctor who needed to saw through Bobby’s arm. He couldn’t cut through the fake arm latex no matter how hard he sawed. And so - a circus of twisting and pulling and turning the fake arm ensued – trying to force it to break. It was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. Even writing about it now makes me laugh. Patrick was struggling so hard with that fake arm – tears were streaming down my face with laughter – and I ultimately peed my pants on stage.
Also, just a few weeks ago – I had a show at the PIT in New York with Family Haircut, and a team member (Phil Wells) had a timely burp that made me laugh so hard, I had to go back stage and ‘get it together’ during the show.
I’m an adult.

LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU LOVE TO SHARE A STAGE WITH?
Gilda Radner, Fred Armisen, Amy Poehler

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF COMEDY GOING?
I feel like the future is already here. If you want to be seen, if you want to write and produce your own stuff, if you want to get a job… you can do all of these things from the comfort of your own home(town.) It used to be that you had to move to one of the major hubs to be seen, but clearly that’s not necessarily true anymore. If you can write and create quality comedy and get it seen on the ol’ internets, there is money to be made. With Youtube comedy channels like Above Average (among others), the comedy audiences are clearly out there. If you build it, they will come.

TOP PICKS OF THIS YEAR’S BCAF?
This is so tough! Okay here are a few of my faves.

MURDERFIST (Friday @ 10:30 PM ImprovBoston Main Theater)
You will never forget your “first time” and the first time I’m talking about is the first time you see Murderfist. It is the craziest, most in your face, insane sketch show you will ever see. It is not for the faint of heart. It is freaking hilarious though. Also, they’re going up in the same slot as Coach Crotchky (played by my hilarious friend and castmate, Paul Dome!)

JOSH GONDELMAN, NORTH COAST, KEVIN MCDONALD (Saturday @ 8:00 PM Brattle Theatre )
Is it bad if I promote my own show? I mean, let’s be honest. This lineup is sick – I’m just happy to be a part of it. Josh is one of those stand-ups who doesn’t miss a beat ever. Every line of his show is funny. His transitions are funny. His jokes are funny. Everything is so tight and well written. It’s a joy to watch and be a part of. And Kevin McDonald!? Like, Kids in the Hall Kevin McDonald. Yeah – that’s the one.

Then, I mean, my team, North Coast, happens to be New York City’s premiere free style rapping long-form improv team and we’re doing a set too. But that’s just icing on the cake, folks.

Other shout outs go to hilarious standup, BORIS KHAYKIN, the always solid MAGNET THEATER TOURCO, as well as improv super troupe BIG BANG! All of those will certainly be amazing sets.

I can’t wait!

*See Rachel and North Coast perform September 7th at 8PM at the Brattle Theater*