July 1-5
Bruce Haynes
with co-feature acts Bill Borronky and Jay Boc
Bruce Haynes' style has been described as a cross between Bill Cosby's family satire and Richard Pryor's urban wit - high energy with a touch of humility.
Don't miss this "hot as a firecracker" show on this Independence Day week.
Two shows on Thursday, July 3 (8 and 10:30 PM).
No shows on Friday, July 4.
July 8-12
John Rathbone
with Spark Mann
In the past 25 years, John Rathbone has performed nearly 6,000 comedy shows. More than a million people have seen him live. His travels have taken him from New York City to California; from Canada to the Caribbean.
John has worked with the top names in the comedy business. Tim Allen, Paul Reiser, Ray Romano... Jerry Seinfeld called him an "excellent comedian." David Letterman came to see his show. Drew Carey said "John Rathbone always makes me laugh!"
He has a witty humor, an urbane style, fantastic expressions, and an easy rapport with his audiences. His sense of humor appeals to a remarkable range of tastes. He has dozens of TV and Radio performances, appearing on Showtime, The A&E Network, Bob & Tom and The Comedy Channel.
Click here for John's website
July 15-19
Dave Landau
with Mark Cradel
Dave Landau's smart, edgy and fresh humor delivered with a unique laid back and clean style has made him one of the fastest rising comics in America. With a strong Improv background and sharp material, he is an act you're sure to enjoy.
Dave performs at top clubs and theatres around the country and has worked with comics including Steven Wright, Dave Chappelle, Ron White and Dennis Miller. Dave was the warm up comedian for the Comedy Central/Warner Brothers release "Henry Cho's: What's that Clickin' Noise?" and he recently appeared at HBO's Las Vegas Comedy Festival. In June of 2007 he appeared on Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham" and that same year he was featured on Last Comic Standing. He is also currently in rotation on Sirius/XM Radio.
Dave is also a trained improviser from the nationally renowned Second City Comedy Theatre where he studied for two years and graduated from the Second City writing program. He also wrote several student shows while he was there.
Dave Landau has a keen eye for humor and the ability to make hilarious observations about almost anything. He has a unique voice in comedy and is completely original and entertaining.
July 22-26
Dan Ellison
with Kirk Bogos
Dan began his life in a place that may be considered by many to be the basis for much of his strange view on life - Parkersburg, WV.
After graduating high school he moved to Ohio to attend College and received an electrical degree that strangely enough contributes to his comedy.
While it may have taken him 27 Years to start comedy, it didn't take him long to discover that this is what he was meant to do for a living.
So now after performing in over 40 states and over 200 clubs over the past 10 years. He has honed his act to a broken beer bottle's edge. His comedy reflects his growing up in West Virginia with stories of things he used to do blended with his views on everything from politics to women to kids toys.
If down to earth humor is what you desire, an evening with Dan Ellison is exactly what you need!!
July 29 - August 2
Melanie Maloy
with Ben Patrick
She's not like the other girls. No Bashing! No Trashing! Just flat out funny from start to finish.
Melanie Maloy's road experience, unique worldview, and interactive style makes her a true crowd pleaser. That carefree, energetic, fearless, charismatic, scattered, and interactive personality not only guarantees the audience a memorable show, but a chance to be the show.
With her rapid-fire delivery and impeccable timing Melanie gets people laughing at their own foibles and flaws. It's no wonder she has worked with comedians Chris Rock, Kevin James, and Jackie Mason.
August 5-9
Steve Hirst
with Keith Leonard
All the way from Manchester England, comedian Steve Hirst now performs his crowd pleasing act on American stages nationwide.
Steve's unique brand of humor manages to translate the comical differences between the UK and the US and his act has often been described as a mix between Benny Hill and the movie Snatch.
With impressions, music and a closing bit that will have you falling out of your seat, Steve's roller coaster ride of laughs that will leave you short of breath and begging for more. Get ready American because the new British Invasion of comedy has arrived and it goes by the name of Steve Hirst.
August 12-16
Smiley Joe Wiley
with Johnny Beener
Smiley Joe Wiley is originally from Cleveland, Ohio but his comedy career has taken him to the place where his home base for the past several years has been the bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas.
Fortunately for Northeastern Ohio audiences, Smiley Joe will be providing a rare treat this week when he returns to his comedy roots with a limited engagement at the Funny Stop Comedy Club.
Even after nearly a decade on stage, students of comedy will see the influences that Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Damon Wayans, and Bill Cosby have made on Smiley Joe...but make no mistake, a Smiley Joe Wiley show is strictly his own.
Click here for a taste of Smiley Joe's act, with video from his BET Comic View appearance.
August 19-23
Marvin Lee
with D.T. Owens
The Funny Stop is proud to introduce Northeastern Ohio to another rising comedy star. This time, it is 2006 Long Beach Comedy Festival winner Marvin Lee.
Marvin Lee is a high energy, down to earth smart alec with a hidden dark side. He talks about everything from his multi-cultural family to the down fall of the Saturday morning cartoon. In doing so Marvin takes subjects and twists then to his style of thinking.
Does he have issues?... (A Bi-racial kid raised in the deep South who's father was a Vietnam vet and mom worked for the post office.).... Nahhh, how could he?
Marvin is a PG-13 comic who uses innuendo to make his comic point. Marvin Lee's show has something for everybody because he agrees with everyone but sides with no one.
Who's smarter, men or women? Are black and white people really that different? Is it better to be single or in a relationship? Having experienced life from many different perspectives Marvin loves to side with one group before he turns on them and agrees with the other. The truth is most people are the same in about 80% of most situations. It's that other 20% that make you want to slap somebody.
August 26-30
Dan Long
with Mike Malone
For over 20 years, comedian Dan Long has been making people laugh in every part of the country. From Comedy Clubs to TV his physical and visual routines create hysteria even among the most seasoned and jaded audiences.
Dan began his comedy career performing for his fellow troops while in the Army stationed in Germany. He taught himself juggling and the guitar and added them to his funny routines. He later left college to move to Los Angeles where he worked as a part-time writer for NBC, while learning the business of comedy and performing his act in California night clubs. Dan moved to New York and landed a job on Saturday Night Live, writing for the Weekend Update and fellow comedian Kevin Nealon with whom he became best friends.
"Being a journeyman comedian is hard work. You have to be prepared for anything." Dan says. As his audiences will share, Dan Long has prepared his wild comedy talents extremely well.
September 2-6
"The Real" John King
with Chad Zumac
"The Real" John King has been entertaining audiences from New York City to the midwest for three decades.
His material is suited for all types of audiences and as a seasoned performer, John has no problem switching gears whether he is performing in any type of venue from comedy club to college auditorium.
John King is both talented comedian as well as accomplished musician. John frequently closes his shows with his blues harp and some zany lyrics.
September 9-13
Carl Verducci
with Quinn Peterson
September 15-20
Faye Woodroof - Grandmother From Hell
All-Female Performers Show
To look at her silvery hair and soft, expressive eyes one could fairly assume Faye is a sweet, aging grandmother with a brood of small grandchildren. Don't let the gray hair fool you! Faye Woodroof is THE GRANDMOTHER FROM HELL!
Faye Woodroof has years worth of opinions to express and stories to tell, all of which are not quite as "sweet" as audiences might expect from a grandmother! She not only targets male egos with her explanations of how she NOW views men, but she tells how she tried to eliminate a few uncooperative husbands with poison mushrooms they were not too willing to eat! Faye's stories about aging body parts and sexual escapades will make audiences laugh so hard that they will be begging to borrow her Depends! Faye even includes punch lines about "Grannies in Jail" because of an incident that occurred between a SWAT team and herself only last year!
What makes Faye's story remarkable is that she only began her career in comedy ten years ago. After raising her children and working as a clerical secretary at a school for more years than she cares to remember, Faye had finally reached the time for retirement and relaxation...that was until friends and coworkers started teasing her about growing old. The next thing everyone knew, Faye was up in front of audiences proving how alive she was by winning Showtime's Funniest Person in Tennessee and then HBO's Comic relief II National Championship. After that, Faye took her show to the road where she has been known as THE GRANDMOTHER FROM HELL ever since.
As the headlining act for clubs across the United States, Faye Woodroof is definitely in the prime of her life. Her new profession of making people laugh with stories from for past and insight into what to expect in the future has given Faye something entertaining to do in her golden years. Not only does THE GRANDMOTHER FROM HELL redefine the stereotypical grandmother of today she also lets you know that if you think the first half of life is funny, then wait until you hit the second half!
September 23-27
Shaun Jones
with Scott Derringer
Shaun Jones' act covers a wide range of subjects: from good relationships gone bad; living with bad credit; the strip club experience; black and white people in heaven; trips to the Bahamas; and the night club scene.
Like an accomplished chef, Shaun's comedy performances combine a cup of truth, a spoonful of originality and a double twist of humor. When Shaun takes the stage, he mixes his talents before the audience, bakes his show just right and serves up a unique dish to satisfy everyone's laughter appetite.
Shaun Jones was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. Since emerging on the stand-up comedy scene, he has been seen on BET's Comic View and Teen Summit as well as the Jim Carey movie Ace Ventura II in addition to his club appearances in the southern and eastern United States and the Bahamas.
September 30-October 4
Jason Robinson
with Marv Conner
Jason Robinson universally entertains applying his exclusive physical style of comedy that includes original characters, outrageous impressions of our funniest favorites and masterful delivery of eccentric life interpretations.
A high gear only comedian, Jason cuts loose and grabs every audience member, a connection that signifies the benchmark of success for a performer.
In comedy clubs from Hollywood to New York, this Arkansas native stays busy crisscrossing the country building a loyal fan base, by playing in front of thousands, opening for acts like country music artist Lonestar, constantly creating new material and perfecting his extremely hilarious style. Jason's natural ability to be funny, packaged with unique twists, make him a comedy circuit favorite. Shifting effortlessly, Jason's act captivates critics and never fails to bring the house down. All that have experienced his show agree that he is a rising star. Jason will continue to wow audiences for years to come.