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 […]
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(photo by Darin Dubinsky) Known better for their individual accomplishments as stand-up comedians, Greg Bach, Ryan Lowe and Stacy Pawlowski got a chance to work together writing an overnight comedy sketch for the semi-annual Sketch 22 show. They so enjoyed the experience that they formed their own sketch group and called it Dynamo Kickstand. The
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Sketch Marks formed from talk among a few volunteers at the 8th Milwaukee Comedy Festival, in 2013. The volunteers were comedians – improvisers mostly – who enjoyed participating in the semiannual Sketch 22 show and were fans of the longstanding broadminded comedy sketch group. They agreed that Milwaukee could use more sketch comedy. They decided
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As old as Milwaukee’s comedy festival itself, broadminded comedy is the longest-running sketch comedy group around. As the name suggests, broadminded is all-female and eclectic, delivering clever, high-energy, multi-talented performances. As they sometimes refer to themselves, “the broads” include Stacy Babl, Anne Graff LaDisa, Melissa Kingston, and Megan McGee. Broadminded – 8 p.m. show, Thursday,
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Twice a year, it’s Milwaukee’s sketch comedy equivalent of the World Cup, the Olympics and Summerfest. It’s an event that’s an occasion. Some of Milwaukee’s most talented writers, directors and actors come together for 22 hours to create, cast, rehearse and present 10 original comedy sketches. Sketch 22 – 7 p.m., Sat. July 11, ComedySportz
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Reports from the Schmitz ‘n Giggles open improv jam Tuesday night declared it a success, with about 30 comedians – novice and veteran alike – joining in on a free fun-filled session of seriously funny improvisation. Consider the jam at The Underground Collaborative a warm-up for the Saturday evening star-studded fundraiser for the much-anticipated summer
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The fine folks at Milwaukee Comedy are sorting through a record number of submissions from comedians across the U.S. of A and beyond who hope to perform in the 10th Milwaukee Comedy Festival (Aug. 6-9). But while the festival organizers are watching videos, you and I can be experiencing the real stuff live and in person
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If you want to get something done, we have heard, give it to a busy person. Examples of that abound in the Milwaukee comedy community. Take Sketch Marks. (Please.) It’s a group of local comedians who liked performing with one another and – after talking about it while volunteering at the 8th annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival –
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Everybody obsesses about the future, which is why it’s nice to take a break occasionally and relive the past. That’s the notion of Retro Comedy Night. It lets you reminisce on the simple joys of your childhood through the TV sitcoms of yesteryear. And it gives you a break from all your futuristic viewing devices by bringing
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In two years, a human makes the remarkable feat of developing from an immobile, totally dependent being to a toddling wonder who can speak and laugh and dance. Although it’s still not potty-trained, Variety Hour Happy Hour has reached its second birthday. The Milwaukee-grown sketch comedy show that includes music and interviews has been delighting
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