August 2013

You might not think it to watch them from the audience, but comedians generally are very collegial. Individually, they work hard crafting and delivering very personal thoughts in a very public setting – something that the vast majority of people dread. But it’s a nonconformist pursuit that they share with fellow comedians, it’s an unconventional […]

Summer may be a blur, but as Labor Day approaches reflect on all the comedy that Milwaukee has hosted since Memorial Day. “More than ever” is the right answer. Not only are there more open mics and original productions around town than there were a year ago, but regular monthly shows such as the Variety

It’s the last Wednesday of the month, which means it’s time for the open mic contest at Milwaukee’s Comedy Café. That’s where eight standup comedians perform five-minute sets, and the audience votes on its favorite. The winner goes home with a $25 prize, a guest spot at an upcoming regular Thursday night show, plus a

Labor Day weekend is a time to reflect on all the good folk who have worked hard and sacrificed to make our lives easier. And while that’s a bit of a down note at a time when most of us are grilling sausages and toasting the completion of summer, it’s also a reason to find

So they’ve changed the name of the comedy show “Variety Hour Half-Hour” to just “Variety Hour Happy Hour.” Because apparently some Milwaukee comedy enthusiasts were confused, that’s why. Some thought the monthly shows at the Arcade Theatre were just 30 minutes long. However, the shows are 60 minutes – one hour – live. And then

In case you missed the Milwaukee theatrical premiere of Ryan Lowe’s movie “Moby Dick” earlier this month, there’s one more showing at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the Down & Over Pub, 2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Ryan, a standout standup comedian, has crafted a puppet extravaganza with the talents of some of Milwaukee’s funniest

With the end of August comes the last three nights of “The Burden of Being” a coming-of-age puppet musical, written by Robby McGhee. You know Robby from the Tall Boys improv group and Sketch 22 improv and Greendale Community Theatre productions such as the recently completed “Les Miserables” and, of course, The Improvised Musical (T.I.M.). Now

And now for something completely different: An improv troupe will be performing at an open mic for standup comedians. Look for it at 9 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6 – Tuesday Night Comedy – The Down & Over Pub, 2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., in Milwaukee’s Bay View. It’s an open mic. Performers need to sign up

Because they support one another – because that’s what friends do – the whole entire monthly T.I.M. show is shifting in August to accommodate one of its own. Robby McGhee is busy debuting his original show, The Burden of Being, at the Alchemist Threatre the last three weekends (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) of August. And because

Ryan Mason was the emcee for the sold-out 7:30 p.m. Friday show of the 8th annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival. He’s a member of Milwaukee’s Caste of Killers Comedy Collective and clocks a lot of comedy hours at open mics and showcases and radio, not to mention all the time he puts into writing. The Shepherd Express