Family-Friendly ‘Comedy in the Park’ Show Returns Aug. 26
thanks to positive response last summer, Oh Claire Improv will host outdoor show again
Returning for the second year in a row, Comedy in the Park is bringin’ the show to the great outdoors (Phoenix Park, that is) on Monday, Aug. 26, just a few blocks away from its host, Oh Claire Improv.
Eau Claire’s only comedy and improv club, Oh Claire Improv (515 Wisconsin St.), has seen great community support and turnout for its variety of shows and classes, including its first-time event Comedy in the Park last summer. The outdoor show is making its return at the end of this summer with an array of comics and activities lined up.
Comedy in the Park is perhaps the most unique event the comedy club has hosted so far, considering it includes an array of comics, an outdoor location allowing for far more attendees, additional attractions, and a focus on drawing families. Comedy in the Park will only feature “clean comedy” from its lineup of local comics and improv groups.
“Everyone was so encouraging (after last year’s event) and hoped that it would come back this year,” organizer JP Fry said. “This year we are able to feature more local performers since we have had the improv theater open almost a year now and have started to foster and grow great local talent.”
There will be five stand-up comics – Matt Pabich; Kelley Reversion; Wayne Dallman; Alyssa Rivera; and Senthil Rajasekharan – and three improv acts – The Chi Chi Rodriguez Energy Band (JP Fry and Josh Ingersoll); First Class Improv (Adam Flogel, Chase Anderson, Cherish Nelson, Margaret Davies, Suzy Murty); and Jar of Pain (Matt Hasenmueller and Ben Malachowski) – at the show.
All acts except for Rajasekharan are local to the Chippewa Valley area, and several are current or former improv students from Oh Claire Improv’s classes. In addition to laughs, attendees can expect food trucks onsite, including Live Great Food Truck, Big Papa’s BBQ, and Juice by Tene.
“We have set up our small, yet mighty, theater to be a great place to perform and see improv and comedy shows at,” Fry said, noting the advantages of having their own stage to control for technical aspects such as sound and lighting. Oh Claire Improv has also held private events, workshops, and performances at other venues.
Next year, organizers hope to bring Comedy in the Park back with a three-show lineup held once per month during June, July, and August. Later this year, Oh Claire Improv will also have an improv set at the annual DECI Fall Festival.
The show will run 6:30-8:30pm and is free to attend. Gather your family and friends, pack a lawn blanket or chair, and enjoy the second annual Comedy in the Park show on Aug. 26.
View Oh Claire Improv’s upcoming event schedule, classes, and more online • Oh Claire Improv is at 515 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire • Reach out with inquiries at ohclaireimprov@gmail.com
