There’s good news for those on Aquidneck Island who enjoy a good stand-up comedy show.
The Newport comedy scene is heating up this winter with multiple monthly shows at various venues, including the Newport Playhouse, Rejects Beer Company, The Quencher, and the Newport Comedy Series at Newport Blues Cafe. A long list of regional and nationally touring comedians will deliver a diverse mix and offer something for everyone.
The Newport Playhouse will host a regular schedule of comedy shows on the second Friday of each month. The next show will be on Friday, February 9th, featuring headliner Casey McNeal and openers Caren Lioce, Robbie Cavaco, and John Imperatore.
“We are celebrating 40 years of entertaining Newport County and beyond. Comedy has been a part of what we offer, but we are now hosting monthly shows to be a part of the growing local scene,” says Jonathan Perry, President at Newport Playhouse.
The new Newport Comedy Series will host comedy nights on the third Thursday of each month, starting on February 15th at Newport Blues Café. This show will feature three national headliner comedians: Mike Koutrobis, Carolyn Plummer, and Jim Colliton.
“Comedy is really hot these days, and this is a great time to take the Newport comedy scene to the next level,” says David O’Hara, the Promoter of Newport Comedy Series.
Reject Beer Company has regularly hosted comedy shows to sold-out crowds at their Middletown brewery. As the newest addition to the Inked Restaurant Group, The Quencher will be opening soon, including comedy in their entertainment lineup.
Scott Kirmil, Owner of Inked Restaurant Group, says, “We have been doing comedy shows at Rejects Beer Company for a while now, and they have done great. We are excited to add comedy to the line-up at the soon-to-open Quencher downtown”. The next show at Rejects Beer Company is on Friday, February 23, featuring headliner Doug Key and opener Carolina Montesquieu.
Tickets for comedy shows at The Newport Playhouse, Rejects Beer Company, and the Newport Comedy Series at Newport Blues Café are available now on each venue’s website for February shows and beyond.
During the Newport Winter Festival, which is taking place from February 16 – 25 across Newport, Steve Sweeney & Will Noonan will perform on February 23 at the Hotel Viking. The festival also includes Robert Clarke, a magician/comedy/juggler extraordinaire, on February 17 and Matt Roberts, Comedy Magic, on February 22. Visit newportwinterfestival.com for the full schedule, tickets, and more information.
Also on the weekly comedy scene, The Bit Players, Rhode Island’s most-award-winning comedy troupe, hosts one-hour live improv comedy shows at The Firehouse Theatre in Newport every Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. Visit bitplayers.net for tickets and more information.
