You'll Laugh 'til it Hurts at Orlando's Comedy Clubs
When was the last time you laughed ' you cried? Smiled so big your face hurt? Roared until you got side stitches? If you can't remember, perhaps it's time for a healthy dose of comedy at one of Orlando's comedy clubs.
At Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, enjoy a six-acre nighttime entertainment complex that offers shopping, dining and themed nightclubs. Within Pleasure Island's seven nightclubs is the 290-seat The Comedy Warehouse. Every night, the "Who, What & Warehouse" Improv Company players deliver top-notch, family-friendly improvisational comedy - never presenting the same show twice. Admission to the comedy club is included with Pleasure Island admission, which is $20.95 plus tax.
At Universal CityWalk, enjoy shopping, dining and nightlife, including Bonkerz Comedy Club at CityJazz. Every Thursday through Saturday, enjoy national comics. Each Sunday, become entranced by Comic Hypnotist Doug MacCraw as seen on Comedy Central and "America's Funniest People." Doors open each night at 6:30 p.m. and shows start at 8 p.m. The Herb Williams Band follows nightly at 9:30 p.m. nightly. You must be 18 years or older to be admitted. For tickets, call 407-629-BONK.
While Hard Rock Live (shown right), also located at Universal CityWalk, is best known for rock concerts, it also books some of America's top comedians. Dave Chappelle, Ron White, Wanda Sykes, Lewis Black and Carlos Mencia are just a few of the performers who have graced their stage. Ticket prices and show times vary by performance. Click here for a schedule of upcoming shows.
SAK Comedy Lab has been an Orlando comedy institution since 1991. This 200-seat theatre located in downtown Orlando showcases some of the best and brightest improvisational comedians in the country. Its most famous alumnus is Wayne Brady, talk show host and star of the hit ABC TV show, "Whose Line is It Anyway?"
Specializing in improv comedy, SAK offers several clean comedy shows Tuesday through Saturday. The "Duel of Fools" show features two teams of SAK's top comics who battle for laughs and score points from the audience judges. These seasoned professionals duke it out in a high-energy improv comedy competition every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. On Tuesdays, enjoy the "Lab Rat" Show, featuring graduates from SAK University Improv classes competing in a series of short scenes, songs, and games based on audience suggestions. Wednesdays are "Generation S" night, in which SAK's rising stars strut their stuff in an improv show.
If you're looking for a truly memorable vacation experience, the SAK comedy team will devote an entire scene to a family member, friend or loved one, based on questions that you answer ahead of time. You'll even receive a videotape to commemorate the experience. The experience costs $150 and must be arranged in advance.
General admission to SAK Comedy Lab is $15. Students, seniors and military receive discounted admission of $12. Click here for show schedules and more information. For tickets, call 407-648-0001.
Downtown Orlando is also home to the Orlando Improv, part of the largest comedy circuit in the country, and the only area club booking "A-list" acts. The Improv chain jumpstarted the careers of well-known comedians including Robin Williams, Chris Rock, David Spade and Central Florida native and "Saturday Night Live" alumnus Darrell Hammond (shown left), to name a few.
Big names who have appeared at the Orlando Improv include Hammond, Dave Attell, Richard Jeni and Dave Chappelle. Tuesdays are Apollo Night, with visiting comics from "BET Comic View," "HBO Def Comedy Jam" and "Showtime at the Apollo."
While you're enjoying the comedy show, choose from a full menu of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Ticket prices vary per performance. For a schedule or to buy tickets, click here or call 321-281-8000, ext. 5. You must be 21 or older to attend. Those 18 and older may purchase tickets for Wednesday College Night or the Saturday 10:30 p.m. show.
New to the International Drive area - and Orlando's comedy scene - is Dottie's Orlando Comedy Theater. Breaking away from the traditional comedy club format of one headliner and two opening acts, "The All Star Comedy and Variety Show" presents a rotating cast of headliner acts that will include comedians, magicians, impressionists, singers and jugglers. Performances are Tuesday - Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Dottie's is also presenting Tommy Blaze's one-man show called "I Love You, Now Shut Up," a hilarious look at the problems facing men and women today and the explosion of pop psychologists in America. Performances are Thursday - Sunday at 9:30 p.m. and you must be 18 years old to attend this "adults only" show. Admission is $15 per person. Dotties's Comedy Theater serves beer, wine and soda and light meals.