By Peter Lindblad
The assignment is late. It was due about two weeks ago, so whoever’s grading this blog can scrawl a big, fat “F” across it in red marker if they want. Just please don’t let it go on my permanent record.
Don’t just toss it in the trash either. A lot of work went into it, trust me.
And there are still a handful of hilarious stand-up comedy shows across Wisconsin to go see in late June and get your laughs. Here’s the lowdown on what’s coming our way:
Skyline Comedy Club – Appleton
Casey McLain (June 24-25) – The beard gives McLain’s comic superpowers. It seems to make his act even more relatable, as the engaging and likeable McLain, based in Seattle, expresses male bewilderment at the miracle of child birth, jokes about interactions with his wife and takes funny shots at his friends’ misadventures. McLain has hogged the spotlight at the Seattle International Comedy Competition and on ComedyJuice. Check out his podcast “Nobody Likes Casey McLain” and these clips of McLain at work.
Milwaukee Improv – Milwaukee
Lara Beitz (June 23-26) – Joe Rogan loves Lara Beitz. So does Judd Apatow. Rogan even called her “the real deal” on Instagram, not surprising since she often opens arena shows for him and appears regularly on Rogan’s wildly popular podcast. And she’s a homegrown talent, born and raised in Milwaukee. She conquered the Chicago comedy scene and now she’s back, having won over viewers of David Spade’s Comedy Central series “Lights Out.” Dating, weight loss – she called cantaloupe “the devil’s pumpkin” – and differences between men and women are subjects she’s well-versed on. Take a gander at her performance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZv7KUzxTao
Zach Noe Towers (June 26) – 2018 was a big year for the snarky Los Angeles comedian, actor and writer. That year he was named a New Face at the esteemed Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and listed as one of the “2018 Comedians to Watch” by Time Out magazine. His searing sarcasm burns hot, as he’s been known to target improv performers and relate his experiences growing up Catholic and gay in the Midwest. Watch him on the E! series “Dating #NoFilter” and season 3 of Netflix’s “Dear White People.” Here’s a little taste of his stand-up work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7ogP6gMoF4
Comedy on State – Madison
Kurt Braunohler (June 23-25) – Braunohler’s magical mystery tour stops in Madison, promising surreal flights of absurdist comedy and cockeyed idealism. He’ll help you open your third eye, just as he’s done on his 2017 Comedy Central special “Trust Me” and appearances on such shows as “Bob’s Burgers,” “New Girl” and “Drunk History,” among tons and tons of other credits. Once named by Variety as one of its “10 Comics to Watch,” as well as Time Out New York’s rundown of the “50 Funniest New Yorkers,” the quick-witted Baunohler created and hosted the sold-out variety show “Hot Tub” with writing partner Kristen Schaal. According to The New York Times, “Kurt Braunohler is the closest thing we have to a real-life Willy Wonka.” Be sure to get your golden tickets. He’s got strong opinions. Check him out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxlwIAW3hIk
The Laughing Tap – Milwaukee
Valerie Tosi (June 24-25) – She cut her acting teeth at Second City, although she’s an East Coaster. She’s worked as a voiceover artist and a writer. You may have seen her on “The Joel McHale Show” on Netflix or “Conan,” having also guest starred on IFC’s “Stan Against Evil.” You’d remember Valerie Tosi. She makes an impression, with her charming relatability and tales of being young and female in the wild. And her stories of her parents’ oddities are a riot. “Beach Trash” was Tosi’s debut album, and it went straight to No. 1 on iTunes. Sample Tosi’s funny stuff here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHhrybpwc1g