| (Venice, FL) A cruise comedian, a national TV stand-up winner, a Branson favorite funnyman, and an online streaming star walk into a theater. This isn’t the start of a joke, but describes the headliners of Venice Theatre’s new holiday series, “Venice Laughs.” While perennial favorite “A Christmas Carol” holds court in the Raymond Center, Venice Theatre is offering this Pinkerton Theatre alternative for fans of stand-up comedy. Two evening shows and two matinees take place between Dec. 6 and Dec. 15. Opening night is already sold out, but tickets are still available for Dec. 8, 14 and 15 at VeniceTheatre.org or by calling 941-488-1115. All seats are $26 plus a $3 theatre restoration fee.
The series opens with two-time Carnival Cruise Line “Entertainer of the Year,” Al Ernst on Friday Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Ernst has over 30 network television credits, was featured in the third season of Apple TV’s “Ted Lasso,” and stars in his own streaming comedy special that will drop soon on Hulu.
The Sunday, Dec. 8th 2 p.m. matinee features Juanita Lolita who tours nationally as the opener for actor and comedian Shawn Wayans. A St. Petersburg mom and grandmother with a theatre background, Juanita won the nationally televised “Funny After Fifty” contest live on “The Sherri [Shepherd] Show” in February.
“Harley Worthit” headlines “Venice Laughs” Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. “Harley” worked on stages in Branson, MO, and Pigeon Forge, TN, for almost 30 years. Known for making the most sophisticated audiences laugh just by walking on stage, he now lives in North Port and has been doubling over audiences at community and country club shows throughout Florida.
Scott Novotny promises to take everyone on a roller coaster comedy and mixed media ride at the closing 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2024. This former St. Paul, MN comedy club owner has written for Saturday Night Live and pens punch lines for “Close to Home,” a nationally syndicated cartoon. Scott teaches improv and stand-up at McCurdy’s in Sarasota when he’s not touring and was one of the first clean comedians to be featured on the streaming platform, “Dry Bar Comedy.”
Each “Venice Laughs” show includes a supporting cast of talented local comedians including Venice Theatre “Silver Fox” Max McGee, Dan Gierlach, Kathy McSteen, Greg Schwartz, Seetha The Comedian, Tara Zimmerman, Ruth Weisburg, Mary Ellen DePetrillo and Cliff Hornsby. The full lineup is available at VeniceTheatre.org/venice-laughs and listed below.
Venice Theatre’s Artistic Director, Benny Sato Ambush, hopes the series will help the community “Forget their woes and laugh with our area’s most hilarious stand-up comedians.”
Again, tickets are available for “Venice Laughs” and all Venice Theatre events through May 2025 at VeniceTheatre.org or by calling 941-488-1115. |
