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May 02, 2008
ROOFTOP COMEDY AND THE WHEELER FINALIZE LINE-UP OF COMICS FOR MAY FESTIVAL EVENTS
The Wheeler Opera House today announced the final line-up of participating stand-up comics for its new comedy festival for Aspen, in partnership with RooftopComedy. The inaugural festival will take place over two days with six public events, on Friday and Saturday, May 30 and 31.
"Rooftop and the Wheeler culled through the entire roster of comics associated with Rooftop's website," said Wheeler Executive Director Gram Slaton, "and came up with just over thirty that we thought could really shine in this first festival. Next came figuring out the arrangement of shows, and then which comics for which shows. It's always a lot of work, but it's also a labor of love for both parties. And everyone who's coming really wants an Aspen shot, which means they'll all be at the very top of their game." RooftopComedy estimates about 2,500 stand-up comics have material posted through its website.
Individual stand-up sets will vary between ten and about twenty-two minutes, depending on the comic. "As in any festival situation, there's always the chance that not all of the talent is going to appeal to every patron, but the good news is that you only have to wait a few minutes and a completely different new face will be onstage for you. But we really think we have the possibility of a festival that scores high with every player," said Slaton.
The final roster of events for the Rooftop Comedy Festival with their participants includes:
- ROOFTOP'S BEST AND BRIGHTEST #1 (Friday, 6:45pm) will feature new faces Dave Waite, Lisa Landry, Paul Varghese, Mike E. Winfield, Kevin Camia, and Geoff Tate in this kick-off event.
- ROOFTOP AT LARGE (Friday, 8:30pm) features extended sets by fast-rising stars Chris Porter, Vince Morris, and Robert Hawkins.
- ROOFTOP AFTER DARK (Friday, 10:15pm) Tyrone Hawkins, Andi Smith, Isaac Witty, Steve Wilson, and Auggie Smith, are the comics that will be taking the material into a more adults-only direction, with hysterical results.
- THE ROOFTOP NATIONAL CAMPUS COMEDY COMPETITION FINALS (Saturday, 6:45pm) will feature four comics awarded finalist slots through online voting at Rooftop's website, as well as four short films also chosen as viewer favorites.
- ROOFTOP'S BEST AND BRIGHTEST #2 (Saturday, 8:30pm), with John Ramsey, Matt Braunger, Erin Foley, Robert Buscemi, Nathan Trenholm, and Lamar Williams representing a second helping of Rooftop’s cream of the crop.
- THE BIG SHOW (Saturday, 10:15pm) features Tig Notaro, Mike Lucas, and Jimmy Dore - three fast-rising comedians that have been featured on Comedy Central, VH-1, MTV, and other top broadcast media.
Select comics will have clip links featured at the individual show descriptions on the Wheeler Opera House website (www.wheeleroperahouse.com), but comedy fans can find a full variety of sample clips for each comedian at www.RooftopComedy.com.
A limited number of "Independence Pass" lanyards, which will provide first-seating access to all six shows, will be sold for $65.00 each, with a special discounted price of $55.00 each for inclusion in room packages and as stand-alone purchases for Roaring Fork Valley residents. The Wheeler has teamed up with Stay Aspen Snowmass and the Aspen Chamber Resort Association to promote special rooms-and-passes packages for out-of-town patrons that will be available directly from the Aspen Groups division of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, at 800-673-5043, or via the web at rooftop.bookaspensnowmass.com. Locals wishing to take advantage of the Independence Pass discount will need to purchase in person at the Wheeler's Aspen Show Tickets box office, with proof of local residence. "Independence Pass" lanyards will go on sale at 10am on Monday, May 5th.
For more information on the festival and lodging specials, visit us at www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at May 2, 2008 10:09 AM
