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GREAT AMERICAN COMEDY FESTIVAL TALENT LINEUP ANNOUNCED; TICKETS NOW ON SALE
(Norfolk, Neb.) Have you heard of Robert Mac? What about Rick Overton? Maybe Chris Coccia?
They may not be household names yet, but they’re among the top up-and-coming stand-up comedians who auditioned and have been selected to compete in the inaugural Great American Comedy Festival in Norfolk, NE. The festival will be held June 16-22.
They’ll be joined by 21 others – comedians who hail from across the United States and already have impressive resumes that include performing on "The Tonight Show," Comedy Central, "Last Comic Standing" and winning comedy competitions in some of the nation’s largest cities.
They’ll all be coming to Norfolk in June for the chance to pay tribute to the late Johnny Carson – Norfolk’s favorite hometown son – compete for the $5,000 grand prize and the chance to be the first winner of the festival’s stand-up comedy competition being produced with help from Eddie Brill, chief talent scout for David Letterman.
"For a first-year event, this is going to blow people’s socks off," said Kent Warneke, chairman of the festival’s volunteer board of directors. The 24 comedians "are professionals who perform five or six nights a week. This is their livelihood. These up-and-coming comedians are going to be nationally known soon, if they’re not already," he said.
Lora Young, director of the Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said people may be surprised by the number of comedians they recognize from television. "The quality of comedians coming to compete in the comedy festival’s competition is phenomenal," she said. "They are the best of the best from the comedy clubs across the nation."
If that sounds appealing, then it’s also important to note that tickets now are available for all of the various shows that are part of the Great American Comedy Festival.
The nearly week-long festival has been created in the spirit of the late Johnny Carson, a Norfolk native and comedy legend, and will include a weeklong youth camp, comedy workshops and competitions featuring top talent from all across the country.
Ticket’s can be purchased by calling the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce at (402) 371- 4862. More information can be found on-line at www.greatamericancomedyfestival.com. Events and ticket prices are as follows:
Amateur Night: Tuesday, June 17, 7:00 p.m. Johnny Carson Theatre—$5 Ticket —$7 at the door.
Comedy Competition Semifinals Round 1 Wednesday, June 18, 6:00 p.m.Johnny Carson Theatre—$10 Ticket —$12 at the door.
Comedy Competition Semifinals Round 2 Wednesday, June 18, 8:00 p.m.Johnny Carson Theatre—$10 Ticket —$12 at the door.
Comedy Competition Semifinals Round 3 Thursday, June 19, 6:00 p.m.Johnny Carson Theatre—$10 Ticket —$12 at the door.
Comedy Competition Semifinals Round 1 Thursday, June 19, 8:00 p.m.Johnny Carson Theatre—$10 Ticket —$12 at the door.
After-Hours Comedy Club: Thursday, June 19 11:00 p.m. Divots Conference Center—$10 Ticket —$12 at the door.
Comedy Competition Finals with host Eddie Brill Friday, June 20, 7:00 p.m. Johnny Carson Theatre—$20 Ticket —$25 at the door
After-Hours Comedy Club: Friday, June 20 11:00 p.m. Divots Conference Center—$10 Ticket —$12 at the door.
Youth Camp Showcase with Brave New Workshop Saturday, June 21, 5:00 p.m. Johnny Carson Theatre— $15 Ticket —$17 at the door
Saturday Night Showcase with host Robert Klein Saturday, June 21, 8:00 p.m. Johnny Carson Theatre—$75, $50, $35 Tickets —$80, $55, $40 at the door
Christian Comedy with comedian Adam Christing Sunday, June 22, 2:00 p.m. Johnny Carson Theatre—$15, $10 Ticket —$17, $12 at the door.
Here’s the complete list of the stand-up comedians selected to participate: Robert Mac, Rick Overton, Chris Coccia, Paul Varghese, Joe Kloucek, Jamie Lissow, James Smith, Ty Barnett, Drake Witham, Jesse Joyce, Dave Mordal, Chuck Bartell, Vince Maranto, Micah Sherman, Shane Mauss, Myq Kaplan, Dan Boulger, Jen Kirkman, Darryl Lenox, Joe DeRosa, Jim McDonald, David Gray, Erin Jackson, David Powell.
The judges are just as impressive as the comedians. Judging the semifinal rounds will be comedian Nick Griffin, Los Angeles talent agent Jackie Miller-Knobbe and Denver comedy club owner Wendi Curtis. The finals will be judged by Robert Klein, who had his own HBO special, and Curtis. Legendary television host Dick Cavett has also been invited to be a judge.
CONTACT:
Kent Warneke, Comedy Festival chairman (402-371-1020)
Lora Young, Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau (402-371-4862)