January 7-10
Jason Benci
with Mike Malone
The maverick, Jason J. Benci brings the dark side of the straight edge to stand up comedy. Through the use and abuse of his hard-knocks life, this poster child of new school stand-up unloads his day-to-day observational humor involving life, family, and friends onto the audience.
Brought up by two Detroit police officers, bull riding in 3 different rodeo circuits before the age of eighteen, and living the rock star lifestyle playing drums in a punk band give Jason more than enough attitude and ammunition to keep the crowd in stitches.
Benci is a son to his father, a father to his son, and a son of a bitch to his ex-wife. He connects with all walks of life and has performed in many clubs and universities across eastern and midwestern United States as well as touring overseas for the USO. Now you have a chance to see Jason Benci in his first headlining appearance at the Funny Stop Comedy Club.
Oliver Gray Takes Home Title From First Amateur Comedian Competition Of The Year
In a competition that spanned five full months, the area's top new and undiscovered talent performed on Tuesdays with the goal of winning the Funny Stop's first Ohio's Best Amateur Comedian competition of the year.
The preliminary rounds saw more than 100 performers take their shot. Twenty-five made their way to a pair of semi-finals which lead to the top dozen amateur comedians taking the stage for the May 25th finals.
When the applause and laughter faded, the newest "Ohio's Best Amateur Comedian" was crowned.
Ladies and gentlemen...your winner is: OLIVER GRAY!
Congratulations go out to Oliver for his accomplishment. You will definately see more of this Wadsworth performer in the future.
Congratulations To The Finalists From Our First 2008 "Ohio's Best Amateur Comedian Contest"

Shawn Beach, Sam Bendeckey, Barbara Frye,
Rick Glossman, Oliver Gray, Jamal Hussein,
Chris Klems, Chad McKenze, Adam Mikulin,
John Mistave, Spike Salzar, and Wade Sturgeon.
Thanks To All Of The Talented Performers Who Appeared At Our 20th Anniversary Celebration

Back Row (L-R) Mike Scanlon, Stan Piatt, Mike Wypasek, Pete Barak, Mike Veneman, Mayor Don Robart, Todd, Charlie Weiner, Rodney Bengston, Marv Conner, Kirk Bogos, Mike Conley, and Bill Boronky. Front Row (L-R) Stuart Warner, Dan Long, Tony Barak, Lucy Bebee, Lionel Hamilton, John Rathbone, Mike Gersh, and Tommy Chong. Absent from picture: Kathy Dice and "The Real" John King.
January 13-17
Scott White &
Susan Smith
Dirty Laundry Show
Grab your seat and hang on tight during this dirty, wild, roller coaster of a show that is perfect for anyone who has loved and lost.
They are the comedy duo "with a past" starring in the comedy tour of "former lovers". You will soon understand why this is called the "Dirty Laundry Show".
Susan Smith represents the ladies side of this coed, tag-team, comedy show.
That only seems appropriate as Smith is a former female wrestler who is a sweet southern belle gone bad. Her act has all the energy you would expect from this red-headed Amazon.
Susan does impressions, sings, and involves the audience with hilarious results. She is a seasoned performer and has graced stages throughout the country.
Northeastern Ohio comedy fans will remember Susan from her multiple appearances at the Funny Stop Comedy Club as one half of the Untamed Shrews. She has also appeared on the Disney Channel, USA Network, and The Nashville Network.
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Scott White has certainly come a long way in the comedy business.
"I started doing comedy my first year of college. I took on a partner and we entered a contest where we came in dead last. It took me another 10 years to get back on the stage but after 25 brutal winters in Michigan I came to Houston, Texas and began my way back on the stage with stand-up comedy," White reflected.
Since that false start at the amateur contest White did his time and honed his craft, continuously making headway performing bits from life experiences and his own nostalgic interests. Word spread of White's talent as more and more club owners found their audiences heading out the exit door with hysterical laughter at the end of a night with this high energy performer!
"I have worked with some of the best (and worst) comics in the business. I have learned from my experience with both, and hope to keep growing as a comic."
Over the years Scott White has done sketch and improv comedy plus touched base with his acting skills. Scott has worked all over the country plus overseas entertaining our troops in Korea, Japan and Guam. Now you can hear Scott's CD "Dirty White Boy" on XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Radio.
Headliner Schedule
January 7-10
Jason Benci
January 13-17
The Dirty Laundry Show
with Susan Smith and Scott White
January 20-21
Mark Fradl
January 22-24
Basil
January 27-31
Jason Russell
February 3-7
Gemini
Comedy-Magic-Ventroliquism
February 10-14
Sandman
World's #1 Comedy Hypnotist
February 16
Sandman
Monday XXX "Do The Wild" Show
February 17-21
Bruce Haynes
February 24-28
Faye Woodroof
Grandmother From Hell