Originating long before the city had anything even resembling a sustainable comedy community, Milwaukee Comedy Festival has grown and evolved in kind with Milwaukee’s humor scene. From August 1-5, the Milwaukee-curated undertaking will offer an eclectic blend of stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy in its 13th year.

The official festivities kick off with a Wednesday night showcase at Lakefront Brewery, before the official events move to The Underground Collaborative for the vast majority of performances, excluding an August 2 Lady Parts Justice League showcase at Cooperage and an August 3 Turner Hall performance from fest headliner Colin Quinn.

Though the festival is based in Milwaukee and certainly serves to showcase a wealth of local talent, the lineup also boasts comedic talents from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Madison, and elsewhere. Among those performing this year are The Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winstead, British-born comic Gina Yashere, and accomplished L.A. stand-up (and South Milwaukee native) Jackie Kashian.

Single-day passes (excluding special events) cost $16 in advance or $20 at doors. All-Access passes are $60 and they include admission to all shows. Here’s the lineup (listed from host to headliner):

Wednesday, August 1 – 7 p.m. (Lakefront Brewery)

Jake Snell
Omar Nava
Amanda Averell
Pranav Behari

Thursday, August 2 – 7:30 p.m. (The Cooperage)
Lady Parts Justice League (Special Event)

Lizz Winstead
Aida Rodriguez
Jackie Kashian
Gina Yashere

Friday, August 3 – 8 p.m. (Turner Hall Ballroom)
Festival Headliner Event (Special Event)

Colin Quinn
Openers TBA

Friday, August 3 – 11 p.m. (Underground Collaborative)

Jeena Bloom
Sharup Karim
Mike Hover
Buzz Off Lucille (Sketch)

Saturday, August 4 – 3 p.m. (Underground Collaborative)

Ilana Gordon
Personal Space (Improv)
Megan Hosack
A.J. Grill

Saturday, August 4 – 5 p.m. (Underground Collaborative)

Elijah Holbrook
Goodlanders (Improv)
Ashley Ray
Neil Arsenty (Sketch)

Saturday, August 4 – 7:30 p.m. (Underground Collaborative)

Dana Ehrmann
The Comic Thread (Sketch)
Sherman Edwards
Nicholas Anthony

Saturday, August 4 – 10 p.m. (Underground Collaborative)

Brittany Tilander
U Name It (Improv)
Carly Malison
Andrew Frank

Saturday, August 4 – 11:59 p.m. (Underground Collaborative)

Drew Flagge
Levi Manis
Trevor Gertonson
Matty Field

Sunday, August 5 – 3 p.m. (Underground Collaborative)

Jared Wing
Commitment Issues (Improv)
Adam McShane
Audrey Jonas

Sunday, August 5 – 5 p.m. (Underground Collaborative)

Kristin Lytie
Mary Zee (Sketch)
Vik Pandya
Marz Timms

Sunday, August 5 – 7:30 p.m. (Underground Collaborative)
“Best Of The Fest” (Special Event)

Lineup TBA

About The Author

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Co-Founder and Editor

Before co-founding Milwaukee Record, Tyler Maas wrote for virtually every Milwaukee publication (except Wassup! Magazine). He lives in Bay View and enjoys both stuff and things.