The Christian Comedy Blast is back to the Milwaukee area, with shows at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday, May 7, at Poplar Creek Church, 17770 West Cleveland Avenue in New Berlin.
The first such gathering was “phenomenal” says Whit Shiller, of Fish Sticks Comedy, a Milwaukee-based short-form improve comedy group that was one of the creators of the Christian Comedy Blast.
“There are a couple of things that are different about a Christian Comedy Blast show from a typical comedy show,” Whit says. “The format is not your typical opener, feature and then headliner type of show. It’s designed to essentially be a headliner level show from top to bottom. While the styles vary, there is a commonality among each of the performers that they want to perform 100% clean comedy that would hold up quality-wise in even the better secular clubs. These shows are typically performed in a church — which is a different type of venue for most people at least when they think of comedy. The comedy is performed by Christians, but it is a comedy show first and foremost. You don’t have to be a “church person” to have a great time and it will be a very welcoming atmosphere.”
On the billing with Fish Sticks Comedy at the May 7 show are nationally recognized Thor Ramsey and Joey I.L.O. (now based in the Twin Cities but originally from Racine).
General admission is $15. Pay $12 apiece for groups of six or more. The VIP tickets are $20. Children 12 and younger get in for $10. That should tell you it’s family-friendly, right – which may be a prudent choice for Mother’s Day weekend.
Teaming up with national acts benefits both Fish Sticks and the out-of-town performers, Whit says.
“There are a number of comedians and performers trying new things in Milwaukee. We’re trying to do some of that, too – beyond just blazing a trail in Wisconsin for so-called Christian comedy. We’ve come up with some new games and aspects to the shows that have been fun – and our packaging of talent from other parts of the country is a new thing for around here, too. Some of that has got us traveling more than we did before. We’re starting to get a bit more attention from outside the market and have enjoyed the traveling – but Milwaukee will almost certainly always be home base for us for many years to come.”