Milwaukee Comedy Festival

Chicago, New York and Los Angeles have traditionally been considered to be the main comedy cities in the United States. Milwaukee is out to change that.

“This collective drive to become the top city for comedy has sort of developed,” said stand-up comedian Ryan Lowe. “The Milwaukee comedy scene has been working super hard to generate some of the best talent in the nation.”

Lowe will be joining a bevy of performers at the 7th Annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival which will be taking over Next Act Theatre’s stage for nine days. From Friday, August 3 to Saturday, August 11, the Brew City will be flooded with stand-up, sketch comedy, improv and comedy workshops.

The Milwaukee Comedy Festival is the largest comedy event in Wisconsin, featuring comedians from across the state and beyond.

“This festival is putting the best of the best together for some of the most exciting comedy that people will see all year long,” says stand-up comic Ryan Mason. “I’m a naturally competitive guy and I am excited to try and be one of the shows that people leave the festival talking about. With so many great performers it is going to be really fun to see the comics, improv, and sketch actors all bringing their best to the table.”

Enthusiasm for the festival has been clearly brewing among the performers. Stand-up comic Ryan Holman is amped for nine days of comedy.

“I love to laugh and this place will be full of funny people doing funny things,” he said. “I’m excited because I get to perform and anywhere or anytime I can do that I am happy.”

Lowe is also happy that the festival is close to home.

“Every minute spent on the road increases the risk of disfigurement in a highway accident,” he said. “There’s an old saying in comedy—’Safety First.’ I think it’s a comedy saying.”

The festival begins with the Kick-Off Party on Thursday, August 2, at 5:30 p.m. There will be live music from RadioMilwaukee’s Marcus Doucette, drink specials and food samples followed by a stand-up performance by Jay Abbondanza and the Retro Comedy Show. Sketch comedian and Retro Comedy Show performer Robby McGhee explains the show’s concept.

“This will be the third “RERUNS” production,” he said. “Earlier this year we performed the pilot episode of “Facts of Life,” and later in the spring we performed an episode of “Three’s Company.” It was a huge success with the audience. Though I cannot give away the series or episode [for Thursday’s event], I can say that I am working with some brilliant actors, and we are under the direction of Matt Kemple himself.”

The Milwaukee Comedy Festival is just one aspect of the movement to turn The Brew City into a top comedy destination, but, as McGhee said, “Milwaukee is a big little city that understands comedy very well.” Come out to the Next Act Theatre and see what all of the buzz is about.

For more on the Milwaukee Comedy Festival, check out Mark Metcalf’s podcast preview of the festival with Matt Kemple, Patrick Schmitz and Melissa Kingston.