The Cleveland Comedy Festival will kick off on Wednesday, November 14 and run through November 21. Now on its fifth year, the Festival showcases local comedic talent and features comics competing for a $1,500 prize in a stand-up contest. Several preliminary shows begin on the 14th and lead up to a grand finale on the 17th at the 14th Street Theatre located at 2037 East 14th St. in PlayhouseSquare.
Highlights of the festival include a “Roast of Cleveland” at 7:30pm on November 17, starring some of the best Cleveland comics roasting the town. Described as a raucous, sarcastic love letter to Cleveland, the show also features renowned comic Jeff Blanchard. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cleveland Foodbank.
The Festival has something for everyone, and turns the spotlight on kids in a matinee show at 3pm on Sunday, November 18. The show will feature young comics who have spent the past month learning the craft of standup in “Class Clown” workshops.
Yet another show caters to the LGBT audience, at 7:30 and 10pm on Saturday, November 17 at Kennedy’s Cabaret.
All in all, the Festival promises a lot of laughs and comic relief, which is always welcome. For more information on the Cleveland Comedy Festival, please visit clevelandcomedyfestival.com or playhousesquare.org.
