COMEDY IN THE PARK: Bring A Smile and Stay A While!
comedy comes naturally for a few old friends reconnecting in EC
Kelly Carlson, photos by Sawyer Hoff |
A few old friends who spent their college years doing shows and improvising comedy down in Chicago have landed themselves in the same city once again. This time, Eau Claire gets to reap the benefit. “We decided to ‘get the band back together’ and throw a show,” Leo Rosen, co-host and performer of the event, said. “It’s sort of a full circle moment for us.”
That show, Comedy in the Park, will be hosted by JP Fry, Alyssa Rivera, and Leo Rosen. The show, featuring a line-up of 2- and 3-man improv and musical theatre shows as well as individual stand-up comedians, will be open to the public and clean.
“It’s true that comedy in its normal form is not clean. It can be quite dirty actually,” Rosen laughed. “But, we’re doing this in public and children will inevitably be there. You can be super funny and still be clean.”
"You can be super funny and still be clean."
LEO ROSEN
ORGANIZER OF COMEDY IN THE PARK
“The show is completely run by us, so there’s not a ton of money behind it,” Rosen began. Looking for sponsors, Comedy in the Park will pay its performers, including some notable names like Matthew Hasenmueller and Leo’s own “The Free Art Machine” act. “It’s hard to explain what people do when you give them free art, but it's magical,” Rosen laughed. All people set to perform are from the Chippewa Valley.
Comedy in the Park will take place for the first time on Aug. 28 from 6:30-8:30pm in Phoenix Park. The first hour of the show highlights group acts and the second highlights individual acts. With food trucks, the river, and a great crew of folks ready to laugh, it’s going to be a show you don’t want to miss. “There’s a lot of organic interest in the area,” he said excitedly. “People need to laugh right now.”
Stay updated on Comedy in the Park on Instagram (@comedyintheparkec), Facebook, or at comedyintheparkec.com.
