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Who are we? We’re funny as hell, for one thing.
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Duck’s Breath Mystery Theatre was conceived in 1975 by five University of Iowa students named Bill Allard, Dan Coffey, Merle Kessler, Leon Martell, and Jim Turner. They became a performing unit when they discovered they could get free beer performing for a rowdy crowd at Gabe 'n' Walker's saloon on Washington Street. The performances became so popular that Gabe's learned they could charge 25¢ for admission, and DBMT entered the ranks of comedy professionalism. |
| In 1976, the troupe moved to San Francisco, in search of better beer and shinier coins. From passing the hat at Fisherman's Wharf, they worked their way up the club ladder to become the featured act at such prominent venues as the Boarding House and the Great American Music Hall. They toured nationally during the '80s, ranging from major nightclubs (New York's The Bottom Line), and leading regional theaters (Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis) to college campuses and festival circuits. Their tours covered over 30 states. |  |
| The Ducks really began to garner attention with their media projects. Starting in 1980, the troupe created a series of sketches for NPR's 'All Things Considered.' This work evolved into the ongoing Q&A parody 'Ask Dr. Science,' Ian Shoales, and the 'Duck's Breath Homemade Radio' features. | |
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The Ducks' PBS special, 'Dead Pan Alley,' was the single most honored program at the 1989 Bay Area Emmys, while their feature film, 'Zadar! Cow From Hell!' was nominated as best feature film of the decade at the 1991 Iowa Film Awards. They also saw their collective work air on Nickolodeon and Fox, even as individuals began to find work on MTV, The Movie Channel, and HBO. |
| Since the 90s, the group members have pursued individual projects, but in recent years have discovered that they still like each other, and gather together to perform from time to time. Their anniversary shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles draw raucous applause from sell-out crowds. |  |
THIRTY YEARS! |
| And now they have banded together once more. Why? Because they can. |
| To commemorate thirty years of shenanigans, Duck’s Breath offers an anniversary DVD, a much-anticipated compendium of classic (and new) Duck's Breath sketches, performed by the boys last July in San Francisco. Thirty years of goofy comedic genius are captured in live performance, with commentaries by the Ducks, and by Doctor Science. |
| Thrill to the antics of Randee of the Redwoods, Sister Mundi Mister Johnson, Ian Shoales, and Mr. Tall Jars, in such classic sketches as Art Show, Four Hole Buick (Car Opera), More Than a Box, and much, much more. This lavishly-produced DVD also includes Duck's Breath video from the vaults, scads of historic photos, and a variety of unique comedy features. Buy one! |
THE CRITICS SPEAK! |
| Their fans still love them. But the critics? This is what they had to say, back in the day: |
| "Outrageously funny in their live performances, their humor is cerebral and imaginative, framed in skits and monologues that zero in on American thought and culture -- or the lack of it."--Washington Post |
| "Snarky humor with smarts, an inspired lunacy that moves with such breakneck speed that if one bit doesn't work, another rips by before there's time to notice."--San Francisco Bay Guardian |
| "An American Monty Python…" --Newsweek |
"Chaotic, sometimes surrealistic craziness [results in] somebody laughing at almost any given moment, which provides a wonderful |
WHO ARE THEY? |
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Bill Allard is a lovable lout, currently on medication, who enjoys stress. He experiences frequent car trouble in San Francisco. |
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Dan Coffey is a talkative bi-polar who enjoys reading, swimming and exposing himself in public. He raises chickens in Iowa. |
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Merle Kessler is not loquacious! He is fearful of certain numbers and colors. He lives in San Francisco, with dozens of cats. |
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Leon Martell abhors telephones. In Los Angeles, where he resides, his hobby is collecting restraining orders. |
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Jim Turner lives in Los Angeles, where he shouts at parked cars. He says he lives in a mansion. |
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Duck's Breath General Manager Steve Baker and his friend the Gubernator shake hands on a Duck's Breath DVD endorsement deal. |
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Web Master Rick Alber believes in the Internet. But does the Internet believe in him? |
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Benefactor Neil Sheehan is a professional expert witness, currently in a witness protection program. |
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Benefactor Dave Allard is an international oil finder guy in Scotland, or somewhere. He likes golf. |
PERFORMANCE DATES
(TBD)To commemorate their 30th Anniversary (and, frankly, promote the DVD),
look for the Ducks at a venue near you: