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