Nick Firer and Brian Bayer were in one of the original acts to perform in the first Milwaukee Comedy Festival, when it was known as the Sketch and Improv Comedy Festival.
Firer and Bayer performed in the 9th Milwaukee Comedy Fest as Variety Hour Happy Hour. They’re back again, along with Rob Maass, Jessie Mahne, Tess Rutkowski, Nick Vanden Heuvel and Jake Woelfel for more as the fest turns 10.
“We had such a blast last year,” Firer says. “It’s great to be able to perform in the same space as so many other acts, especially the ones out of town, and see what they are all about and what styles they prefer and what audiences from other places and even at home respond to.”
Variety Hour Happy Hour – 8 p.m. show, Saturday, Aug. 8
Variety Hour showcases the multiple talents of its cast as they perform what the group lists as “sketches, songs, special guests, and a hefty dose of ‘behind-the-scenes’ mayhem. You never know quite what you’re going to see each show… but it’s guaranteed to be %@*ing hilarious!”
Except for his three-year hiatus when he moved away from Milwaukee, Firer has been involved in the Milwaukee comedy scene about 11 years.
“The festival is one of the best representation of Milwaukee’s comedic talent,” Firer says. “I am glad to see it grow every year. Every year, more and more people come and realize that they live in a city that has an incredible well of comedic talent that isn’t only performing at professional levels but innovating and helping give Milwaukee a style and voice that is distinct.
I think that the people that see the show realize this and continue to support comedy around town for the rest of the year as a result. That’s great. That helps everybody, because without an audience, the conversation is gone, and we can’t get better.
It also gives our local performers a chance to interact with touring acts and vice versa. That’s great too. Every year, that puts Milwaukee on the map as a fun place to perform with great people, so they’ll want to come back. I’m already excited for next year.”