By Peter Lindblad
Comedy therapy can come in all shapes and sizes, and from anywhere really, including “The Bob and Tom Show.” A couple of our picks this week are often featured on the popular syndicated radio program.
Milwaukee Improv – Brookfield (https://improv.com/milwaukee/)
Rob Little (July 5-7) – Accentuating the positive, with a sunny disposition, the optimistic Little is a breath of fresh air in an age of cynicism and fear. No stranger to improvisation, Little was a sketch comedy player – a most valuable player, actually – on the Fox Sports Net Show “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” and “Last Call with Carson Daly.” His self-deprecating manner and infectious enthusiasm for stand-up recommend Little, whose bigger-than-life personality is anything but … little. Check out his second comedy DVD/CD “Haulin’ Ass” for a scouting report. Serving jokes with a smile https://www.roblittle.com/
Comedy Cabin – Janesville (https://www.cabinlaughs.com/)
Reena Calm (July 5-6) – It’s the Calm after the storms, as the charming Chicago comic – a “Bob and Tom Show” veteran – promises to dig deep into her bag of puns and wild autobiographical messiness for a night of inappropriate, ridiculous laughs that’ll blow away the rainy weather. She’s the only U.S. woman to live on the road as a comedian, traveling everywhere in a converted minivan. That’s dedication. Her debut album CALMEDY hit No. 1 on the comedy charts, and she’s opened for the likes of Maria Bamford, Laurie Kilmartin, Doug Benson, and Eddie Pepitone, along with writing a book called “Once a Pun a Time … Legend of a Sighs Queen.” Somebody named Jeff Bailey once called her “a one-woman punk band of a comedian.” No moshing’s allowed. https://www.reenacalm.com/
Skyline Comedy Club – Appleton (https://www.skylinecomedy.com/)
Willie Griswold and Collin Unger (July 5-6) – A two-for-one deal, Griswold – a member of the “Bob and Tom Show” cast – and Unger, a Chicago comic, team up for a series of hilarious hijinks, Griswold having studied at the Second City Conservatory. So, expect a little improv. Unger has opened for headliners Joe Mande and Geoffrey Ausmus, performing at places like Zanies and the Laugh Factory, while Griswold has supported Jeff Foxworthy and Greg Hahn. Maybe they are the odd couple. One is named Unger, after all. https://www.instagram.com/ungercollin/?hl=en