Milwaukee Comedy Festival

Fest Kickoff at Dandy!
2020-10-07 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Dandy, 5020 West Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53208, United States
Don’t miss the kick off to the 2020 Milwaukee Comedy Festival! It’s sure to be a hilarious night of laughs at one of the most unique venues in town -Dandy! This show perfectly blends vintage lamps and decor with top notch comedy. Host Jeff Spankowski (Milwaukee), with Tony Foxworthy (Indianapolis), Ross Childs (Chicago) and Headliner Dana Ehrmann (Milwaukee).

Start off the 2020 Comedy Fest with us on Wednesday, October 7th at Dandy, 5020 West Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI 53208. Doors open at 7, show start at 7:30pm. Show Tickets are available for $15. Due to COVID-19 and social distance guidelines seating is limited for all shows in the 2020 festival. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. This show is 18+.

COVID-19 Guidelines & Precautions:

Face masks must be worn at all times while at The Laughing Tap.All guests must maintain a distance of 6 feet from individuals not in your party.Soap & hot water are available in the restrooms for thorough hand-washing. Hand sanitizer is also available at the box office, bar & by request.Credit & debit cards encouraged.If tickets are available at the door, only credit or debit cards will be accepted at the box office.If you are feeling sick or are awaiting the results of a COVID screening, please stay home.Failure to comply with these policies will result in denied entrance and/or being asked to leave the club. No refund will be given if tickets have been purchased.

About the Milwaukee Comedy Festival

The 2020 Milwaukee Comedy Festival, celebrating 14 and a Half (thanks COVID!) years of laughs! Featuring performers from across the country in 9 different live shows and Special Events at multiple venues including The Laughing Tap, Lakefront Brewery, Dandy, and Captain Pabst Pilot House. Join us for the best laughs you can find October 7-11, 2020.

Over the years more than 20,000 people have laughed with the Milwaukee Comedy Festival! Audiences have traveled from all parts of Wisconsin to attend the fest, and as far away as Los Angeles to Boston for the city’s biggest comedy event of the year. Since 2006, the festival has featured thousands of performers from across the country including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, Denver and Austin as well as Canada including Toronto, Alberta and Vancouver. Our alumni have appeared in movies and television including Comedy Central, Netflix, HBO, Saturday Night Live, MAD TV, BET, Conan, Late Nite and many more.

Questions? info@mkecomedyfest.com

Ari Shaffir
2019-08-04 20:00 - 21:30 | Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
Ari Shaffir (Netflix, Comedy Central, This Is Not Happening, Joe Rogan Experience, Conan, Just for Laughs) will headline the 2019 Milwaukee Comedy Festival on Sunday, August 4th at Turner Hall Ballroom. Mr Shaffir will present the highly acclaimed and soon-to-be-recorded comedy special Ari Shaffir: Jew. Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm. Tickets are $29.50Don’t miss the very funny Ari Shaffir for this One Night Only special event! Ari has been featured on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast more than 40 times and has performed on Conan, Just for Laughs and was the host of This Is Not Happening on Comedy Central.

Ticket InfoAri Shaffir Tickets On Sale Now!Tickets for Ari Shaffir are $29.50 plus fees via the Pabst Theatre box Office or http://pabsttheater.org/event/arishaffir2019.

Ari ShaffirSunday, August 4th, 2019Doors at 7pm, show at 8pmTurner Hall Ballroom, 1040 Vel R. Phillips Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53203Tickets are $29.50

About the showMr Shaffir will present the highly acclaimed and soon-to-be-recorded comedy special Ari Shaffir: Jew. Ari Shaffir was raised as a religious, Orthodox Jew. He attended orthodox Jewish school, lived in a religious community, and lived in a Jewish seminary in Israel (known as a Yeshiva) for 2 years. Once he returned to America, Ari lost his religion, realizing he was, and probably always had been, an atheist. For the next two decades, he came to terms with the religious upbringing and thoughts that are rooted deeply within him. And now, 20 years later, he’s finally ready to talk about Judaism from both an insider perspective who knows more than almost anyone about the religion, and also from an outsider perspective as someone who has no allegiance to the teachings.

MCF Sun 5pm Show
2019-08-04 17:00 - 18:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
Our last show of the MCF at The UC is certainly nothing to slouch at with a stellar lineup with featuring host Lisa Curry (Los Angeles), Eric Smith (Milwaukee), Piers Moreton (New York) and headliner Adam Yenser (Los Angeles)

Lisa Curry is an internationally touring comedian and TV writer whose career began as part of Second City Hollywood’s house improv ensemble. She has also written for Mtv, Fuse, and TruTV, where she wrote for their hit show, ‘Comedy Knockout’. Her work is best described as smart, dark and deeply personal.Eric Smith is a young Milwaukee comic who talks about his family, education, and his job in delivery service; delivers jokes as well.Piers Moreton is a British Comedian/Writer from London living in New York. He’d like to think he’s the bizarre lovechild of Hugh Grant, and Bill Burr, but he’s not as handsome as the former, or funny as the latter. Piers desperately wants to come to Milwaukee, so he can find Bud Selig, and tell him how he ruined baseball. Bud needs to hear it from an Englishman. Thank you for reading this far. Tallyho!Adam Yenser is a comedian and Emmy Award-winning writer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show where he stars in the recurring segment “Kevin the Cashier Played By Adam.” He has appeared on Conan, FOX Laughs, and The Greg Gutfeld Show. He has written for The Oscars and been a freelance contributor to SNL’s Weekend Update. Adam mixes sharp observational humor with a uniquely conservative political perspective and was named Best New Political Comedian at Politicon 2015.

MCF Sun 3pm Show
2019-08-04 15:00 - 16:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
You’ve had your Laughing Lunch, so it’s time to head over to The UC for an amazing show with host Tok Moffat (Chicago), Marne Litfin (New York City), Jamal Russell (Washington DC) and headliner Ryan Mason (Milwaukee)

Tok Moffat is originally from South Africa and not your stereotypical African. A Chicago transplant, Tok grew up on the mean streets in the suburbs of Washington, DC. Tok uses his comedic style of being witty, introspective and relatable to his experiences growing up as the “weird” foreign kid, and sounding like Carlton Banks among other challenges with fitting in to stand-up.Marne Litfin is a New Yorker by birth and Berliner by sheer force of will, Marne Litfin is difficult to spell but easy to Google. Marne’s dry observations and stories have taken them around the world to Folsom Europe, Stockholm Fringe, and the Berlin Burlesque Festival. After ten years in Europe, Marne moved back home to New York this fall.Jamal Russell started doing stand up in Boston and eventually made his way to Washington DC and performs all over the East coast. Jamal brings his style of high energy and wit to clubs all over America.Ryan Mason is a veteran of the Milwaukee comedy scene, Ryan Mason’s comedy touches on his own experiences as a parent and interpretations of everyday absurdities. Ryan has featured for some of the biggest names in comedy including Kumail Nanjiani, Ben Bailey, Dennis Miller, Brian Posehn, Joe Mande, Kevin Bozeman and Morgan Murphy. Ryan has served as a house comedian for many of the major venues in Milwaukee including the Potawatomi Casino Northern Lights Theater, as well as the historic Riverside Theater and Turner Hall.

MCF presents Laughing Lunch at Pabst Taproom!
2019-08-04 11:00 - 13:00 | Pabst Brewery & Taproom, 1037 W Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, United States
Laugh it up while enjoying some delicious lunch and craft beer! Laughing Lunch at Pabst Brewery and Taproom will feature hilarious comedians from the 14th Annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival and food from Great Lakes Galley at Pabst Brewery!

FREE Admission! 18+ Event

MCF Sat Midnight Show
2019-08-03 23:59 - 2019-08-04 01:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
We end Saturday night at The UC with a late night show not for the easily offended and where anything can happen with host Cameron Little (Chicago), Bobby Hill (Milwaukee) and headliner Lam Guluka (Plainfield, IL)

MCF Sat 10pm Show
2019-08-03 22:00 - 23:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
We’re back at The UC for a powerhouse show with some of the hottest comics in the Midwest and LA featuring Host Craig Smith (Madison), Raegan Niemela (Milwaukee), Ramie Makhlouf (Minneapolis) and headliner Lisa Curry (Los Angeles)

Craig Smith is originally from Chicago but has lived in Madison for 14 years. He started doing comedy two years ago and this year was voted into the Top 5 of Madison Funniest Comic and has hosted at the Comedy Club on State.Raegan Niemela is just trying to figure it all out. She eats a breakfast burrito every Friday. She doesn’t know how she feels about scrunchies coming back. She knows what she needs to do to function as a person, she just doesn’t want to do it. “Actions have consequences,” you say. “But just like, what if they didn’t?” She retorts with a full glass of whiskey at 11pm on a school night.Ramie Makhlouf is the cohost of “Mackey & Judd with Ramie” in The Twin Cities. While hosting of the number one sports talk radio show, “The Big Show”, he was also a mainstay on the Milwaukee comedy scene with anecdotes about growing up Arab American, his father’s unique but effective way of showing love, and how his love life reminds him of Camelot. Lisa Curry is an internationally touring comedian and TV writer whose career began as part of Second City Hollywood’s house improv ensemble. In May of 2018, she was the first American invited to perform at the prestigious Mach Comedy Festival in Machynlleth, Wales, where she sold out her headlining show. Lisa has worked as a creative on ad campaigns for both Amazon and Comedy Central and was recently profiled by PBS for their series, “Angeleno”. She has also written for Mtv, Fuse, and TruTV, where she wrote for their hit show, ‘Comedy Knockout’. Her work is best described as smart, dark and deeply personal.

Beth Stelling
2019-08-03 20:00 - 21:30 | Shank Hall, 1434 North Farwell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Milwaukee Comedy Festival is proud to present the hilarious Beth Stelling (Comedy Central, Netflix The Stand Ups, Conan, @Midnight), headlining one night only Saturday, August 3rd at 8pm at Shank Hall. Tickets are $20 for this event and will sell out! Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. Shank Hall is a 21+ venue.

About Beth Stelling…Beth Stelling is a stand-up comedian, writer & actress. You may have seen her latest Netflix special The Standups (season 1, episode 5 of the series) currently streaming. She is a writer for I Love You America with Sarah Silverman on Hulu and before that wrote for seasons one and two of Judd Apatow’s series Crashing on HBO, as well as Another Period on Comedy Central. She’s a product of the Chicago stand-up scene and was named “Best Stand- Up Comedian in Chicago” by the Chicago reader in 2010. After moving to Los Angeles Beth made her late night debut on Conan and returned in 2017. She appeared on Comedy Central’s @midnight, Chelsea Lately and The Pete Holmes Show. Beth was asked to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live after Jimmy saw her perform at Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. She has a Comedy Central half hour special that Vulture named “One of the Best Stand-Up specials of 2015.” She guest starred on season 2 of the Amazon series Red Oaks opposite Jennifer Grey and can be seen in Comedy Central’s Corporate and The High Court.

Comic Beth Stelling

About the Milwaukee Comedy FestivalThe Milwaukee Comedy Festival is Wisconsin’s largest multi-day comedy event, celebrating 14 years presenting the best local, regional, and national comedic talent. The festival has featured top-notch stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy from across the country. Founded in 2006 as the Sketch and Improv Comedy Festival to support and grow the comedy scene in the city, the Milwaukee Comedy Festival quickly grew into Wisconsin’s premier annual comedy event attracting thousands of comedy fans every year. MCF aspires to cultivate an active comedy community where performers can hone their craft, create new and exciting comedy, and foster an inviting environment for both audiences and fellow performers.

Over the years more than 18,000 people have laughed with the Milwaukee Comedy Festival. Audiences have traveled from all parts of Wisconsin to attend the fest, and as far away as Los Angeles to Boston for the city’s biggest comedy event of the year. Since 2006, the festival has featured thousands of performers from across the country including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, Denver and Austin as well as Canada including Toronto, Alberta and Vancouver. Our alumni have appeared in movies and television including Comedy Central, Netflix, HBO, Saturday Night Live, MAD TV, BET, Conan, Late Nite and many more.

More information on the 2019 Milwaukee Comedy Festival is available at http://mkeComedyFest.com/

MCF Sat 5pm Show
2019-08-03 17:00 - 18:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
Saturday’s Show 2 at The UC shakes things up with some amazing sketch comedy from Andy & Alosha (Chicago), The Garden Boys (Chicago) hosted by Vanessa Tortalano (Madison)!

Vanessa (Pants) Tortolano has been slinging funnies since she was old enough to talk back. Involved with theatre and the stage since the age of 5, Vanessa has just begun the practice of stand-up comedy in the last few years. “Vanessa is stunningly talented and exceedingly functional yet bizarre”~ quote from a grown adult. Alosha & Andy effortlessly weave elements of sketch, multimedia, musical comedy, Powerpoint, audience interaction, improv, your first real love and the Iraq War, this dumbass show is great fun for people with ADD or other mental problems. Also kinda nice, everyone involved has the exact same political views as you! So don’t worry. Andy is currently competing on America’s Got Talent, but he’s also a nuanced complex person with real human needs. Alosha is an alternative multimedia performer, stand up and comedy producer, who also performs with LA-based comedy rap group The Doobley Brothers.The Garden Boys are a Chicago-based sketch and musical comedy group. Collectively, the group has worked for Second City Theatricals, aboard cruise ships, and are house performers at Second City, The Annoyance and iO Theater. We have created 6 original sketch revues and have released a comedy Album on Spotify. We have a large moderate social media following and release regular content on Instagram. We love comedy. We love making people laugh without making them feel their beliefs are compromised.

MCF Sat 3pm Show
2019-08-03 15:00 - 16:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
You’ve had your laughs and your brunch, so now join for the first of four shows at The UC with some of the best stand ups around featuring Daryll Schmitz (Chicago), Sharup Karim (Chicago), MK Paulsen (Los Angeles) and headliner Mike Hover (Chicago)!!

Daryll Schmitz is originally from Wisconsin, but quickly acclimated himself to the quiet life of Chicago. Daryll is a graduate of The World Famous Second City Training Center’s Writing and Stand-Up Programs. He is a Producer for a weekly show at the Laugh Factory called Verified Laughs, a Producer of Stray Bits, and has written a monthly sketch comedy show for Second City. Sharup Karim is a South Asian American standup comedian who was born in a village in Bangladesh, but somehow raised in Oklahoma City, OK. He’s now an established fixture in the Chicago comedy scene and is the co-creator of the ongoing comedy tour “Outcasted”. He will also be featured this year at Kenan Thompson’s Road to NYC showcase at the Laugh Factory in Chicago.M.K. Paulsen is originally from a small town in Texas, M.K. is a Los Angeles-based comedian who misses Austin all the time. Recently, M.K. attained Internet fame with his viral blog “BurritoMakesThree.com” that features newborn baby pictures of him with a Chipotle burrito. He has appeared on numerous comedy festivals across the country. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a financial contribution directly to him.Mike Hover sometimes goes outside to perform comedy. When he does, it’s a fun roller coaster of randomness; poking fun at everything from relationships to time travel. He’s spontaneous, clean, and adorable. His mom didn’t write this. Mike has been seen at Zanies Comedy Clubs, being eaten by a dinosaur on the SyFy Channel, and is a recent graduate of the Second City Conservatory Program.

Bloody (Mary) Comedy
2019-08-03 11:00 - 13:00 | Var Gallery, 643 South 2nd Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, United States
Have a Bloody good laugh at the Milwaukee Comedy Festival!!

Get your brunch-time laughs with Bloody (Mary) Comedy at Var Gallery. The Var bar will be crafting delicious Bloody Marys while the comedians of the 14th Annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival craft the jokes!

FREE Admission! (Please register here)11am – 1pm

MCF After-Party, Comedy, & Karaoke at High Note!
2019-08-02 23:59 - 2019-08-03 01:30 | The High Note, 645 N James Lovell St, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, United States
Join the Milwaukee Comedy Festival for some late night comedy and karaoke at The High Note!Only a few block from The Underground Collaborative, laugh and sing the night away with the comedians of the 14th Annual MCF!

Hosted by: Raegan Niemela!FREE Admission, Midnight – Bar Close

MCF Fri 10pm Show
2019-08-02 22:00 - 23:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
The first of three late night shows over the course of the MCF at The UC with some of the best comedic talent from the Midwest featuring Host Samantha Berkman (Chicago), Drew Flagge (Milwaukee), Mike Jonjak (Madison) and headliner AJ Grill (Milwaukee).

Samantha Berkman is a Chicago-based stand up comedian and writer for The A.V. Club TV Show on Fusion. Her weekly stand-up showcase, CAMP: A Comedy Show, was recently featured in Chicago Magazine, Time Out Chicago, and Vulture.Drew Flagge is just a simple Milwaukee boy humbly and dutifully hosting 2 open mics and easily the best comedy show in the city called Insult & Battery (Cited source: Andrew J Flagge) I only work a blue collar job for the sake of the bit and so I can use my experiences in my skits, I’m somewhere in between Tupac and Daniel Day Lewis.. Louis? I don’t have time to fact check the spelling too busy living!Mike Jonjak is scary funny. Always unique, unpredictable and above all hilarious. Mike’s miserable attempts to better understand this thing we call life are filtered through a lens of sour cynicism but with a vulnerability and sweetness that is just a cover for the crippling depression. He produces/hosts a monthly showcase at Octopi Brewing and the stand up/panel hybrid extravaganja show High Concept.AJ Grill is a standup comedian currently residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. An Iowa native, AJ started his comedy journey at the age of 21 while attending college in Iowa City, Iowa. After moving to central Wisconsin to finish a meaningless bachelor’s degree, AJ continued to develop his craft working clubs, colleges, and bars all before graduating from college in 2015. AJ Returned to Iowa and won the 2016 Penguins Comedy Club ‘Funniest Person in Iowa Contest.’ His comedy is a mix of humorous personal tragedy, silly wordplay, sprinkled with the occasional rant about respecting large bodies of freshwater.

Judah Friedlander
2019-08-02 20:00 - 21:30 | Shank Hall, 1434 North Farwell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Milwaukee Comedy Festival is proud to present the hilarious Judah Friedlander (30 Rock, Netflix, Comedy Central, Late Night, The Daily Show) will headline Friday, August 2nd, 2019 at Shank Hall (1434 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202), and present all new material as part of Judah Friedlander 2019 Tour: Future President. This will be Mr. Friedlander’s first time performing in Milwaukee.Tickets are $20 for this event and will sell out! Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. Shank Hall is a 21+ venue.

About Judah Friedlander Judah Friedlander 2019 Tour: Future President (All New Material)

Hilarious, profound satire with endless one liners & seamless crowd work. Judah Friedlander is a singular performer. His Future President stand-up show is American satire at its most creative, incisive, and funny. You have not seen a show like this before. Judah satirizes American Exceptionalism, the systemic power structures that control America, and how America deals with all of its human rights issues. Judah finds and creates comedy from places you never knew it existed.

In Judah’s uproariously engaging and unpredictable show, he will tell you why he should be the future President of the United States, and will invite you to ask him questions about his Presidential platform. With Judah’s amazing and unique crowd work, no two shows are the same.

Last year, Judah Friedlander’s critically acclaimed 84 minute stand-up performance film America Is the Greatest Country In the United States (Netflix, 2017) was named best comedy special of the year by many critics, comics, and fans. This year in 2019, Judah is on tour with all new material.

Come see the Future President of the United States.

MCF After-Party + Comedy Showcase at Vanguard!
2019-08-01 22:00 - 23:30 | Vanguard, 2659 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53207, United States
The Vanguard has become the go-to eatery for performers in the Milwaukee Comedy Scene, so we’re celebrating our favorite late night grub spot with a comedy showcase featuring performers from the 14th Annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival!! 10pm* FREE Admission!*after Todd Barry at MKE Comedy Fest wraps

The line:Host: Jeff Spankowski (Milwaukee)Dana Ehrmann (Milwaukee)Riley McCarthy (Portland)Bill Gevirtz (Chicago)Samantha Berkman (Chicago)Ramie Mahklouf (Minneapolis)

About The Vanguard:“Offering an elevated approach to Milwaukee’s Beer and Brat tradition, we specialize in House-made sausages, while the casual, pretension-free environment pays homage to Milwaukee’s classic corner bar atmosphere. Our Chef-created menu focuses on innovative sausages ranging from familiar favorites to the adventurous, and even vegetarian options. The menu is paired with an extensive drink program that will appeal to everyone from the no-nonsense beer and shot drinker, to the discerning connoisseur. Featuring House-made Draft Cocktails, Micro and Craft Draft Brew, and an extensive Bourbon and Whiskey list, the Vanguard has something for everyone. “

Todd Barry * SOLD OUT *
2019-08-01 19:30 - 21:30 | Shank Hall, 1434 North Farwell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
* Sold Out!*

Milwaukee Comedy Festival is proud to present comedy legend Todd Barry (Netflix, Bob’s Burgers, The Late Show, Conan), headlining one night only Thursday, August 1st at 7:30pm at Shank Hall (1434 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202). Also featuring host Mike Berg and feature Dana Ehrmann. Tickets are $20 for this event and will sell out! Doors open at 7pm, show at 7:30pm. Shank Hall is a 21+ venue.

Todd Barry has been performing stand up for over 30 years, has three hour-long stand up specials including on Netflix Spicy Honey, and appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan and Late Night With Seth Meyers. He has also been in several films and television shows. Acting credits include The Wrestler, Road Trip, Flight of the Concords, Chappelle’s Show, Spin City, Sex and the City. You may have heard his voice on the animated series Bob’s Burgers, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Todd is also the author of the critically-acclaimed 2017 travel memoir Thank You For Coming To Hattiesburg.

Todd BarryThursday, August 1st, 2019 Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30pmat Shank Hall, 1434 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202Tickets $20

Todd Barry

Official Kick Off: Keg Stand Up
2019-07-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Lakefront Brewery, 1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI, 53212
Kick off the 2019 Milwaukee Comedy Festival with the cities #1 comedy show – Keg Stand Up at Lakefront Brewery!

Milwaukee Comedy and Lakefront Brewery present fresh laughs and fresh beer, it’s Keg Stand Up – a hilarious night of comedy at Lakefront Brewery! The show will feature delicious beer, live stand up comedy and table served food from a special show menu. Yum!

This show is a great time with top regional stand up comics. If great comedy wasn’t enough, Lakefront has put a special menu together for the show including their award-winning cheese curds! This show is hot, hot, HOT and WILL SELL OUT so plan ahead and grab your tickets today!

Tickets are only $10 pre-sale or $12 at the door and this show will sell out! Buy in advance to ensure a seat. Doors open at 6:15pm and the show will start at 7pm. A small tasting room will be open until you’re ready to be sat at your table.

Ticketing Info! Please Read!

This show is RESERVED SEATING and has become very popular! Seating is limited and shows do sell out. We reserve the right to give your seats away if you arrive late!

To ensure your group can sit together please purchase all tickets in the same transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Any seats that don’t sell in the pre-sale online will be offered as walk-up tickets prior to the show for $12. Please Note: Standing room as well as seats outside of our table service sections will be available as needed for a discounted price of $7 at the door.

Bring your ID! This show is 21+ unless accompanied by legal guardian. This show has adult themes. Ticket buyer must be over 21 and have a valid ID. All attendees must be present to receive a ticket.

Keg Stand Up at Lakefront Brewery1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WIWednesday, July 31st, 2019Doors open at 6:15pm, show at 7pm

Complete schedule of events including info and tickets for headliners and full line up at mkecomedyfest.com

About the Milwaukee Comedy Festival

The Milwaukee Comedy Festival is Wisconsin’s largest multi-day comedy event, celebrating 14 years presenting the best local, regional, and national comedic talent. The festival has featured top-notch stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy from across the country. Founded in 2006 as the Sketch and Improv Comedy Festival to support and grow the comedy scene in the city, the Milwaukee Comedy Festival quickly grew into Wisconsin’s premier annual comedy event attracting thousands of comedy fans every year. MCF aspires to cultivate an active comedy community where performers can hone their craft, create new and exciting comedy, and foster an inviting environment for both audiences and fellow performers.

Over the years more than 18,000 people have laughed with the Milwaukee Comedy Festival. Audiences have traveled from all parts of Wisconsin to attend the fest, and as far away as Los Angeles to Boston for the city’s biggest comedy event of the year. Since 2006, the festival has featured thousands of performers from across the country including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, Denver and Austin as well as Canada including Toronto, Alberta and Vancouver. Our alumni have appeared in movies and television including Comedy Central, Netflix, HBO, Saturday Night Live, MAD TV, BET, Conan, Late Nite and many more.

Pre- Kick Off: Voyager
2019-07-30 20:00 - 20:30 | Landmark Lanes, 2220 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
We’re excited to announce our Official Pre Kick-Off Event: VOYAGER!A fantastic voyage of stand up and improvisational comedy in the Moon Room of @landmarklanesmke, Tuesday, July 30 at 8pm!This is a FREE show! Full lineup coming soon!

Unofficial Kick Off: Roast of Milwaukee
2019-07-29 19:30 - 21:30 | Club Garibaldi’s, 2501 S Superior St, Milwaukee, WI, 53207, United States
The Official Unofficial Pre-Kick Off Event everyone is looking forward too! Milwaukee Record and the Milwaukee Comedy Festival present the 5th annual Roast Of Milwaukee on Monday, July 29 at Club Garibaldi. Like previous years, the comedian-heavy lineup will also include local movers and shakers from other mediums, each making fun of the city they love. In addition to the stand-ups taking the stage, 88Nine’s Dori Zori will serve as the event’s emcee. Host Dori Zori will be joined by the following Milwaukee-area comedians (listed in no particular order): Eric Smith, Raegan Niemela, Elijah Holbrook, Drew Flagge, Amy Westrup, Mike Korbin, Gary Zajackowski, Jeff Spankowski …and more?

The laughs wont just be at the expense of Milwaukee. A portion of the show’s proceeds will be donated to Milwaukee Women’s Center. The cover is $8 in advance (warning: only 120 tickets available!) and $10 at the door…or free when you show us your Milwaukee Comedy Festival pass, WHILE CAPACITY PERMITS.

This year, Milwaukee Record has partnered with Miller High Life, who will have “The Champagne Of Beers” on special all night long. The (21+) fun starts at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.). See you there!

Best of the Fest!
2018-08-05 14:30 - 16:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
Join us for the final event in the Milwaukee Comedy Festival – The Best of the Fest! This show will feature audience favorites from the week of laughs and some very special guests! More details coming soon.

MCF Sun 5pm Show
2018-08-05 12:00 - 13:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
5pm at The Underground Collaborative
An exciting line-up of talent hits the stage with Kristin Lytie hosting, Green Bay and Chicago comedy from Mary Zee, Vik Pandya, and headliner Marz Timms.
About the Comics:
Kristin Lytie (Host)
Stand Up, Green Bay
Kristin Lytie has performed stand up comedy in basements, laundromats, and dive bars all across the country. Kristin lives in Northeastern Wisconsin and her comedy is fueled by a love of all things Midwestern. An eternal optimist, she has worked in progressive politics for the past ten years as a community and union organizer. She is about working class populist politics and has a strong DIY punk ethic, but is also passionate about classic rock and cheap beer.Kristin has performed in the Altercation Comedy Festival (Austin, TX), Beast Village Comedy Festival (Des Moines, IA), Bird City Comedy Festival (Phoenix, AZ), Whiskey Bear Comedy Festival (Columbus, OH), Cream City Comedy Festival (Milwaukee, WI), Floodwater Comedy Festival (Iowa City, IA) and more. She has also funneled her love of horror movies into a podcast called Bloody Mary which discusses horror movies through a lens of sexuality and feminism. Guests have included professors, comedians, and even a dominatrix!
Mary Zee
One Woman Show, Chicago
Mary Zee is a goodie-two-shoes who never met a rule she couldn’t follow. In her solo show, this stand-up comic uses stories, jokes, and burlesque (oh my!) to explore a life full of good grades, bible camp, and firmly defined sexual labels. Join Mary and learn all about her rules.
Vik Pandya
Stand Up, Chicago
Vik Pandya is a nationally touring stand-up comic based in Chicago. Known for his sharp self-deprecation, observational humor on dating, & hilarious crowd work, he’s opened for both Roy Wood Jr. & Michelle Wolf of The Daily Show and performs regularly at Zanies Comedy Club & The Laugh Factory. He was a 2017 StandUp NBC Quarterfinalist, & has done a number of festivals all over the country. He was featured in NBC’s Breakout Comedy Festival in 2018.
Marz Timms (Headliner)
Stand Up, ChicagoActor, comedian, Model, former Chicago Bulls Entertainment Host. You can see Marz in Seasons 1 & 2 of the Netflix original series EASY. Marz created the hit comedy show Pimprov and tours all over the world performing stand up. He also performs with Pimprov under the alias Grand Finale. He is also the voice of Jax from Mortal Kombat. Marz has worked with Eddie Griffin, Tracy Morgan, Loni Love, Lynne Koplitz, Hannibal Burress and others.

MCF Sun 3pm Show
2018-08-05 10:00 - 11:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
3pm at The Underground Collaborative
Don’t let the time-slot fool you, this show features some great laughs from Illinois and Wisconsin with host Jared Wing, Milwaukee, improv from Chicago’s Commitment Issues, and stand up from Adam McShane, Madison and Audrey Jonas, Chicago.
About the Comics:

Jared Wing (Host)
Stand Up, Milwaukee
My comedy is everything that I find odd condensed into 5 minute bits while trying to avoid talking about my dick.
Commitment Issues
Improv, Chicago
Commitment Issues first began performing together in a dingy, not-at-all-sound-proof,brick classroom at iO Chicago in 2017.
Six strangers met while taking a level 2 improv class together and by the end of it realized it might be cool to continue making stuff up together on a regular basis. Before long they were performing all over Chicago and even putting on their own shows. They love to have fun on stage and push each other to unexpected new places. Their format, The Mixtape, and their high-energy, character-driven has audiences raving throughout the Midwest.
Adam McShane
Stand up, Madison
Contrary to popular belief, Adam McShane began doing stand up in 2014. He quickly became recognized around Madison for his sharp observational comedy on subjects that “aren’t really a thing.” Onstage, Adam delivers a structured version of his odd daily musings that others consider unfit for a response. He took 2nd place in Madison’s Funniest Comic 2018, and has performed all over the midwest for acts such as Gary Gulman, Brian Posehn, and Michael Che
Audrey Jonas (Headliner)
Stand up, Chicago
Stand up comedian Audrey uses her experiences as a Mexican-American woman and lifelong Chicagoan to craft comedy with a bite. Her unique brand of realness creates a magnetism that has been drawing audiences all over the Midwest since 2014. Audrey was a finalist in the 2016 Stand-Up Siam international comedy competition in Bangkok, Thailand, serves as a producer of Chicago institution Hoo Ha Comedy, and is a faculty instructor at the Second City Training Center.

MCF Sat. Midnight Show
2018-08-04 18:59 - 2018-08-05 18:59 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
Midnight at The Underground Collaborative
The Late Night stand up showcase is not for the easily offended, with host Drew Flagge, Milwaukee, Levi Manis, Seattle, Trevor Gertonson, Chicago and headliner Matty Field, Milwaukee.
About the Comics:
Drew Flagge (Host)
Stand Up, Milwaukee
I have been doing comedy for 4 years in Milwaukee, frequenting open mics 5 nights per week. Recently I competed in Madison’s funniest comic competition(didn’t win) but more importantly I run the Insult & Battery Roast Battle show in Milwaukee which has just passed its 1 year anniversary in April. I also hosted and opened for the Mean Boys Podcast when they were in town earlier this year. That’s all…
Levi Manis
Stand Up, Seattle
Levi started doing comedy when he was 21 in Arizona. After 6 months of open mics, he moved back home to Seattle to pursue his comedic endeavors. Since then, he has featured on the Bumbershoot festival in Seattle, the Devil Cup festival in NYC, and the Mutiny Radio festival in San Francisco. He has also starred in videos for the WatchCut Youtube channel that have been seen by millions.
Trevor Gertonson
Stand Up, Chicago
Trevor Gertonson began performing comedy in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Acme Comedy Club where he was a semifinalist in the 2010 Funniest Person in the Twin Cities Contest. He went on to perform his stand up throughout the Midwest and parts of the East and West Coast in rock venues and comedy clubs/festivals. He has been a regular at Gilda’s LaughFest in Grand Rapids, MI and the Elgin Fringe Festival. His first 30-minute special I’ve Seen better was released in 2012. He is also the creator of the comedy showcase DVD series Laugh You Bastards. Trevor’s stand up has been reviewed as “funny, weird and deeply human.” You should go see him. He would appreciate it.
Matty Field (Headliner)
Stand Up, Milwaukee
Matty Field can’t be put into a box, bro. Unless that box was labeled “Straight white bearded comedian with glasses”. Then he fits quite well into that box, along with 7500 other dudes. BUT, he’s a passionate absurdist and enjoys shining a light on racism, fatherhood, the elderly, and lots of other stupid things. Wait, important things. Before headlining the 2018 Milwaukee Comedy Festival, his biggest achievement was featuring at Dangerfield’s Comedy Club during the New York Comic Convention.

MCF Sat. 10pm Show
2018-08-04 17:00 - 18:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
10pm at The Underground Collaborative
This Mid-West showcase of talent will feature Brittany Tilander (Host) from Madison, U Name It Improv, Chicago, and stand up from Carly Malison, Milwaukee and Andrew Frank, St. Louis.

About the Comics:
Brittany Tilander (Host)
Stand Up, Madison
Brittany Tilander doesn’t give one good god damn what you think and this confidence is carrying her everywhere she wants to go. Her sharp humor and biting stories tend to toe the line between chaste and bawdy but leave you cackling and begging for more. She hosts a Strip-Storytelling Showcase, “Body Language” and is a writer and performer in the sketch comedy group The Late Early Show. She has performed at The Comedy Club on State opening for Ian Bagg, Noah Gardenswartz and Brent Morin.
UnameIt
Improv, Chicago
UnameIT combines the comedic talents of Rob Wilson and Sherman Edwards. They both were apart of Second City’s Diversity & Outreach program, Mission Improvable. They have been seen on FOX’s “Empire” and have performed on almost every comedy stage in Chicago and beyond. They’ve been performing comedy at clubs and colleges all over America and they can’t wait to perform for you.
Carly Malison
Stand Up, Milwaukee
Carly Malison is a comedian based out Milwaukee, WI. Where her comedy tackles the tough issues in life like her mother, and living in the drunkest city in the world. With three years of comedy under her belt Carly has already earned a few credits. Along with featuring and emceeing shows all over Wisconsin and Illinois, she is the reigning champion of the Caste of Killers’ Snark Madness comedy competition. She has performed at Turner Hall, the Gilda Radner Laughfest in Grand Rapids, MI and The Lady Laughs Festival in Madison, WI.
Andrew Frank (Headliner)
Stand Up, St. Louis
Andrew Frank is a comedian based out of St. Louis. His cerebral, imaginative style and relentless ethic have resulted in six nationwide tours spanning a total of 144 cities. His love of language, philosophy, sociology, biology, psychology, anthropology, and cosmology are on full display each time he takes the stage. He was the Winner of Make Me Laugh 2015, The Winner of Go Bananas Comedy Clubs Funniest in Cincinnati 2016, and the Runner Up in Trial By Laughter 2015. He was one of 32 comedians selected to participate in the 38th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition.
He will be competing in the Laughing Devil Festival in New York City this year, as well as performing his one hour show at the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival, Edmonton International Fringe Festival, and various venues in France, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Estonia. His first independently filmed hour special entitled Macrocosm was released in February 2017.

MCF Sat 7:30pm Show
2018-08-04 14:30 - 16:00 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
7:30pm at The Underground Collaborative
An excellent line up of stand up and sketch comedy with host Dana Ehrmann from Milwaukee, sketch comedy from The Comic Thread and stand up from Sherman Edwards, Chicago, and headliner Nicholas Anthony, Los Angeles.
About the Comics:

Dana Ehrmann (Host)
Stand Up, Milwaukee
Dana Ehrmann first tried stand-up as a student at Carthage College in Kenosha, and has been self-deprecating and discussing sort-of-but-not-quite-adulthood on stage ever since. Now based in Milwaukee, she has performed at the Cream City Comedy Festival and Great Spirit Comedy Festival, and opened for Hari Kondabolu, Charlie Berens and Sean Patton. She’s also sorry she hasn’t watched that T.V. show you recommended, but she just has, like, a lot going on right now.
The Comic Thread
Sketch, Chicago
TCT is proud to be back at the Milwaukee Comedy Fest for the fourth time! Hailing from Chicago, TCT won BEST GROUP: LA Comedy Fest, AUDIENCE CHOICE: Chicago Fringe Fest, and are EMMY® AWARD WINNERS for their web short “The Engagement Party.” Aptly described as “Surrealistic comedy that bends the edges of logic in any particular direction with enough grace that you truly don’t know what’s coming next. And you really don’t care because there’s a 90% chance that it’ll be exceptionally funny” (Express Milwaukee).
Sherman Edwards
Stand Up, Chicago
Sherman Edwards was named 2012’s ‘Best Stand Up Comic in Chicago’ by the Chicago Reader and has been lucky enough to perform at the TBS Just for Laughs Festival in Chicago, The Del Close Marathon in New York, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and a few other notable places which has given him his cool, comfortable, laid-back style. Born and raised in Virginia but currently residing in Chicago, he can be found doing stand up, plays, improv and he can be seen on HBO GO’s “Single Long” and FOX’s “Empire”. He really likes cheese and hopes you do too. It’s okay if you don’t though. More for him.
Nicholas Anthony (Headliner)
Stand Up, Los Angeles
“High-Energy/ Heady” Nicholas Anthony’s curious mind takes random situations and twists them into comedic gems. With his quick, candid delivery he creates a fun-house ride audiences never forget. Nicholas received 1st place at the coveted Las Vegas Comedy Festival, has been on 2 seasons of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and is currently writing for CBS’s The Inspectors. Nicholas Anthony is quickly becoming one of America’s top touring comedians.

MCF Sat 5pm Show
2018-08-04 12:00 - 13:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
5pm at The Underground Collaborative
Some great examples of the thriving Chicago and Milwaukee comedy scenes make up this event! Milwaukee based funny people Elijah Holbrook will host and Goodlanders Improv, along with Chicago comic Ashley Ray and Sketch comedy from Neil Arsenty.
About the Comics:
Elijah Holbrook (Host)
Stand Up, Milwaukee
Elijah Holbrook is a stand up comedian that has smart jokes mixed with absurd observations and occasional word play making entertaining show filled with laughs and quick wit that anyone enjoy from small Midwest towns to the big city.
Goodlanders
Improv, Milwaukee
Good Landers is a 3-year-old comedy troupe based in Milwaukee. We specialize in Armando style long-form improvisation. Our shows begin with audience suggestion, which inspires monologues and scenic improv. Feature shows often include special guests, both as participants as well as stand-up opening acts.
Ashley Ray
Stand Up, Chicago
Ashley Ray is a Chicago-based writer and comic who has been featured on Vice, The A.V. Club, the Chicago Reader and Jezebel. She explores the intersection between comedy, gender, pop-culture and race. In 2017, she was voted the 2nd Best Chicagoan to follow on Twitter by the Chicago Reader for her humor and insight. Ashley has performed at Helltrap Nightmare, Clickhole Live, Strip Joker, Chicago Underground Comedy, iO, The Second City and The Laugh Factory.
Neil Arsenty (Headliner)
Sketch, Chicago
Neil Arsenty: A Series of Hats and Mustaches. Using a script of wit and panache and a series of hats and mustaches, comedian Neil Arsenty presents a variety of interconnected characters in unique situations. Join an amusing world filled with love and hope, a culmination of the best performances Arsenty has done over the last 10 years, along with new material.

MCF Sat 3pm Show
2018-08-04 10:00 - 11:30 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
3pm at The Underground Collaborative
The first of 5 shows on Saturday starts things off with some real talent! Ilana Gordon will host, Chicago, with improv from Personal Space, Milwaukee, and more stand up from Megan Hosack, Chicago, and Milwaukee favorite AJ Grill will headline.
About the Comics:
Ilana Gordon (Host)
Stand Up, Chicago
Ilana Gordon hails from Connecticut, but currently lives in a state of continuous panic. She performs stand up all across the U.S. and internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She contributes writing to places like The A.V. Club, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, The Belladonna Comedy, Reductress, The Second City Network and served as a guest writer for “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” on NPR. Follow her on Twitter @IlanaAbby. Do not follow her in real life.
Personal Space
Improv, Milwaukee
Our group was born out of the Mojo Dojo Way of the Dragon workshop, and we have been improvising together for about 2 years. Based on a suggestion from the audience, Personal Space creates a location and improvises a one-act play. We explore the environment and characters, and hijinks will inevitably ensure!
Megan Hosack
Music Stand up, Chicago
Megan is a musician and comedian from Chicago, Illinois. She brings a silly, witty, and at times even dark and absurd comedic sensibility to her songwriting. She is joined on stage by James Lenger, a musician who dips his toes into comedy at times.
AJ Grill (Headliner)
Stand Up, Milwaukee
AJ is a standup comedian based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. An Iowa native he is the 2016 winner of Penguins Comedy Club Funniest Person in Iowa. AJ performs all over the country and has recently been featured in the Memphis, Floodwater and Cape Fear Comedy Festivals. He has also appeared at the world famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles. His comedy is a mix of wordplay, humorous personal tragedy, and the occasional rant about nature.

LPJL Panel Discussion & Direct Action Demonstration!
2018-08-04 08:00 - 11:00 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
As part of the Lady Parts Justice League’s “Vagical Mystery Tour” coming to Milwaukee, they will be hosting a panel discussion on Saturday August 4 at The Underground Collaborative at 1pm. Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show will lead a discussion on female rights and reproductive freedome which will then lead to a direct action demonstration; “The Human Fake Clinic”.
The Human Fake Clinic is a live event where 20 people dress in jumpsuit costumes to create a “building” in which actors lead passers-by through a reenactment of what it’s like to visit a fake health clinic. Check out this VIDEO of when we did it in New York City. Join us for two hours of resistance (1 hour of setup/rehearsal, 1 hour of action). A $25 stipend will be given to all volunteers who can participate.
To sign up, go to https://airtable.com/shrNoIkvCYMjW2edt

MCF Fri 11pm Show
2018-08-03 18:00 - 20:00 | The Underground Collaborative, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States

Colin Quinn: One In Every Crowd
2018-08-03 15:00 | Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
Milwaukee Comedy Festival presents:
Colin Quinn “One In Every Crowd”
From the old MTV days to SNL to Comedy Central to Broadway, CQ is apparently refusing to leave the business. So if you enjoyed his other one man shows, or you just are at a place in your life where you are lost and you need intelligent laughs, come see his new show. One In Every Crowd. Milwaukee Comedy Festival presents Colin Quinn, “One In Every Crowd” on Friday, August 3, 8pm at Turner Hall Ballroom.
Tickets are $29.50 and available via the Pabst Theater Box Office, online or by calling (414) 286-3663.
Colin Quinn is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. On television, he is best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, where he anchored Weekend Update, on MTV’s 1980s game show Remote Control, where he served as the announcer/sidekick, and as host of Comedy Central’s late-night panel show Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. Notable film work includes his role as Dooey in A Night at the Roxbury, Dickey Bailey in the Grown Ups films and playing Amy Schumer’s father in the film Trainwreck. Comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Attell cite him as the quintessential New York comedian.
Quinn has also become known for his comedic one-man shows that offer his unique takes on history and growing up in New York City. As of 2015, he has written and starred in five shows: Irish Wake, My Two Cents, Long Story Short, Unconstitutional, and The New York Story, two of which he collaborated on with Seinfeld as director. Long Story Short was filmed as an HBO special that aired on April 9, 2011 and Unconstitutional and The New York Story were released as Netflix specials. In 2004, Quinn was named No. 56 on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all-time.
Milwaukee Comedy Festival presents
Colin Quinn, “One In Every Crowd”
Friday, August 3 at 8pm
at Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 N 4th St, Milwaukee, WI 53203
