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No taming these Shrews
by michael Bruntz
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004 - 09:59:53 pm CDT
Randy Wilson saw an opportunity.
He watched others try and fail to make comedy a commodity in Lincoln. The owner of Randy's Grill and Chill jumped right in, selling comedy to a historically indifferent audience. It worked.
"The whole reason I wanted to do this is because nobody else was doing it at the time," Wilson said.
For the past three years, he developed a loyal following as bigger names began stopping in Lincoln.
Wilson needed more venues and dates to bring even bigger name acts to Lincoln. He enlisted the help of other bar and restaurant owners in Lincoln to form a group of locations that would alternate nights hosting big-name comedy acts.
The Lincoln Comedy Tour was born.
The tour kicks off this week when the Untamed Shrews begins a nine-show stop in Lincoln Tuesday at 9 p.m. at Randy's Grill and Chill, 4947 Holdrege St.
The Shrews act features adult humor and plenty of audience participation. Marge Tackes said she and fellow Shrew Susan Smith don't typically do bar shows.
"This opportunity arose, and it's a different location," Tackes said. "It was kind of intriguing."
Wilson and local comedian Paul Wiese are responsible for booking talent, and have already signed a number of up-and-coming comics who are making waves across the country.
Hosting a successful comedy series has rarely been a successful venture in Lincoln. Many venues have failed to develop a loyal following, mainly because of the nature of running comedy shows.
To be successful, bookers must continue looking for top-notch comedy to grace the stage, Wilson said. A show's success often hinges upon the comic on stage.
"The key is talent level, period," Wilson said. "We can do everything to treat people right, but if the show is bad, people aren't feeling like they're getting their money's worth."
Wilson began booking comedy shows at his restaurant nearly three years ago, and got connected with Wiese after one of Wilson's employees saw Wiese performing at Heidelberg's.
The duo started slowly booking comics to perform at Randy's Grill and Chill.
The idea quickly caught on with customers, and the two have been selling out shows since.
He also wanted to bring in other restaurants and bars to make comedy accessible around Lincoln.
"It goes from the one little comedy club to where everybody shows up one night to now we're taking the shows to you," Wilson said.
Being able to promise more shows allowed the Comedy Tour to bring in bigger acts who previously would've stopped only on a night off between Omaha and Denver.
Wiese looks for talent when he's out performing and also draws on his numerous connections in the business.
Comedians like Dwight York and Claude Stewart are slated to appear in July, while the fall lineup is still in the works.
"These aren't people who are on their last legs," Wiese said. "They're getting popular. These are the next Tim Allens."
The Tour is planning to do bigger shows about every three or four weeks, and has shows booked into October. Wiese said the city is beginning to get a reputation nationally as a place comics want to stop.
"In the past I had to induce somebody to come to Lincoln, which is nearly impossible for one night," he said. "Now there's no phone call Ican't make."
Reach Michael Bruntz at 473-7254 or mbruntz@;journalstar.com
If you go
What: Lincoln Comedy Tour presenting The Untamed Shrews
Where: Various bars and restaurants around Lincoln
When: Tuesday-June 23
Admission: Tickets for the 21-and-over shows are $10
Tuesday - Randy's Grill and Chill, 4947 Holdrege St., 9 p.m.
Wednesday - El Matador Lounge, 1620 Cornhusker Highway, 8 p.m.
Thursday - Sun Valley Restaurant and Lounge, 300 W. P St., 8 p.m.
June 18 - Misty's, 6235 Havelock Ave., 9 p.m.
June 19 - Luckie's Lounge & Restaurant, 1101 W. Bond St., 9 p.m.
June 20 - Cheerleaders, 5560 S. 48th St. Suite 4, 8:30 p.m.
June 21 - Memory Lane Lounge, 321 Victory Lane, 7 p.m.
June 22 - Heidelberg's South, 1601 Normandy Court, 8 p.m.
June 23 - Heidelberg's North, 4620 Bair Ave., 8 p.m.
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