By Peter Lindblad
The Fourth of July has come and gone, and the fireworks are over. Everyone who escaped bodily harm should count it as a win.
Does everyone still have all their limbs intact? Good.
Then, let’s see who’s going to be performing stand-up in the area this month, now that the comic’s comic, Brian Regan, has already left the building after two out of three sold out shows at the Skyline Comedy Club in Appleton. Here are our best bets for the rest of July:
Skyline Comedy Club
Harland Williams (July 15-17) – You know him from “Dumb and Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary,” along with other movies such as “Half Baked” and “RocketMan.” So, suck back a little of “grandpa’s old cough medicine,” do some “7 minute abs” and get ready for the hilariously offbeat improvisational stylings of the man who once weirdly serenaded Conan O’Brien with a dreamy rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star.” Expect some funny off-the-cuff interactions with the audience. Read our July cover story on Williams for more .
Brad Williams (July 22-24) – “Prozac with a head.” That’s what the dearly departed Robin Williams used to call the energetic Brad Williams, whose big, unabashed personality and whip-smart observational comedy makes everyone forget his small stature. Get your tickets now. The July 24 date is already sold out. Check out his first one-hour Showtime special, “Fun Size,” to prepare yourself, or better yet, peruse our June cover story on the comedian who’s not afraid to make his own short jokes.
Comedy on State
Andrew Santino (July 15-17) – Fans of the FX comedy series “Dave” will recognize Santino, who’s also starred in Showtime’s “I’m Dying Up Here” and ABC’s “Mixology” and hosts the wildly entertaining podcast “Whiskey Ginger.” If you’ve been intoxicated by his acting and on-air charm, drink in his quick-witted observations during this special engagement, where Santino will perform six shows. Here’s an episode of “Whiskey Ginger” where Santino and comedian Beth Stelling chop it up.
Gareth Reynolds (July 22-24) – Milwaukee’s own Reynolds moved to Los Angeles to further his career, but don’t hold that against him. He’s the clever one and Dave Anthony brings the snark to their smash-hit podcast “The Dollop.” Reynolds’ 2019 stand-up comedy album Riddled with Disease soared to No. 1 on Billboard here he solves America’s race problems.
The Laughing Tap
Sean Patton (July 16-17) – Closed from July 1-15, the Laughing Tap in Milwaukee will undergo a resurrection of sorts with bearded funnyman Sean Patton leading the way. The New York Times had this to say about Patton: “I’ve seen him perform more than a dozen sets, and he’s killed every time. He’s dynamite, even with ordinary material, turning standard Brooklyn hipster jokes into a stomping, roaring tour de force, and elevating a bit about sex-performance anxiety into high-stakes comedy. […] He’s the rare comic who goes over as well in a comedy club as in a bar basement.”
Bare Bones Brewery Tap Room
Menasha Comedy Show (July 16) – What a lineup! Mike Stricker, Ben Hofman, Olivia Witt, Nick Brindl and Phil Landrio all in one night. It’s a comedy extravaganza with a steady barrage of quips, one-liners and hilarious storytelling all packed into a single show, starting at 7 p.m. In a sense, the whole room will be a splash zone – without need for a rain poncho – of jokes.