Milwaukee, Wisc. – On a normal Saturday night, every comic I know wants to be on stage somewhere. Anywhere. But, if they can’t or aren’t, they should be around comedy in some way. Maybe you check out interviews online; maybe you watch a timeless, favorite movie. I believe the highest and best use of this time is to do what we wish, cajole and pray for: support of live comedy.
It’s a popular myth to say there’s limited opportunity for comedy, on a professional level, in a town like Milwaukee. If that’s your view, you’re wrong and lazy. In the last 24 hours I saw nine, NINE comics that changed the lives of the people that paid to see them.
I started the evening at Milwaukee’s Comedy Cafe. Hometown favorite Tom Clark was headlining and brought Mark Schumacher along from LA to feature. My favorite underutilized host Geoff Le Fleur got the near-capacity crowd more than ready but, after ‘Schu’ took his crack at the crowd, the audience received an unexpected surprise.
Comedy veteran and entertainment workhorse Rondell Sheridan had arrived from Iceland. ICELAND. And dropped in to perform for a stunned crowd.
We’ve all heard the stories of performers with big TV credits coming in and taking over a room and ruining the booked headliner’s set. Sheridan has been on Carson (Google it, children), Leno, and Ferguson; starred, guest-starred and directed on too many TV project to list. But, without fanfare or entourage, Sheridan – like a gentleman – went up before Tom Clark, did 15 easy minutes, and hung back with the comics, laughing along with the house as Clark crescendoed into his ‘Memories’ closer.
The night wasn’t over yet as The re-opened Rosebud Cinema Draft House played host the the finals of ElevenElevenPresents MMSCC. Competitors Ryan Mason and Jonah Jurkens brought out their strongest material in a bid for a crowd willing to laugh, though the Rosebud’s love-seat style seating ate much of the audience reaction. Host Ryan Holman, and featured performers Ryan Lowe and Erik Koconis, conspired to give the audience their money’s worth.
So, what did you do with your Saturday night? It’s a question you should be asking every weekend.
BRENDAN O'DAY 