The 2023 Great American Comedy Festival

Schedule

Thursday Comedy/Magic Show

Eric Buss

Eric Buss has entertained and amazed audiences worldwide. His innovative and high-energy brand of comedy and magic has earned him some of the industry’s top awards, and a reputation as one of the funniest and most original magicians working today. Eric Buss is not a comedian telling jokes about airline food. He is not a magician wearing a bright yellow leotard. Eric is an imaginative, exciting performer with a knack for “fun.” He has appeared on America's Got Talent, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and The Late Show with David Letterman. Throughout his show, Eric Buss invites the audience into his world where hysterical antics are brought to life.

Mike Caveney

Mike Caveney has performed professionally for over fifty years and each of his original routines is perfectly suited to his dry comedic wit. He is a member of the most prestigious group of magicians in the world, The Inner Magic Circle of London, England. On two occasions he was voted Stage Magician of the Year by the members of Hollywood's Magic Castle. Mike has appeared on NBC’s World’s Greatest Magic, A&E's Story of Magic, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Late Late Show with James Corden. The Hollywood Reporter described him as, "...one of the funniest magicians in America." Caveney has previously performed at the GACF in 2013.

Tina Lenert

Tina Lenert's career in magic began with a chance visit to the Magic Castle in Hollywood. She was already a professional mime, and the Castle inspired her to find ways to combine the arts of mime and magic. She has been doing that ever since, creating various acts that have earned her numerous awards, including Magic Castle Stage Magician of the Year. Her performances have taken her around the world several times including appearances at the London Palladium, Princess Grace Theatre in Monte Carlo, and the Wintergarten in Berlin.

Friday Night Performers

Michael Ian Black

Michael Ian Black is a multi-media talent who’s starred in numerous films and TV series, written and/or directed two films, is a prolific author and commentator, and regularly tours the country

performing his ribald brand of jokes and observations. He most recently starred in TVLand's “The Gaffigan Show” and Comedy Central’s “Another Period.” He’s reprising one of his iconic film

roles in the upcoming second season of the Netflix “Wet Hot American Summer” series. His third standup comedy special, “Noted Expert,” was released on Epix. Black’s authored 11 books, including the recently released best seller, “A Child’s First Book of

Trump.” He’s written two well-received memoirs: “Navel Gazing: True Tales of Bodies, Mostly Mine (but also my mom’s, which I know sounds weird)”, and “You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death and Other Humiliations.” In 2012, he collaborated with conservative Meghan McCain on “America, You Sexy *****: A Love Letter to Freedom.” He’s the author of “My Custom Van (and 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays That Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face),” and seven children's books, including “****-a-Doodle-Doo-Boop!,” “Naked”, “Chicken Cheeks,” “The Purple Kangaroo,” “A Pig Parade Is A Terrible Idea” and “I'm Bored.”

He also writes book reviews for the New York Times.

Marcella Arguello

Marcella is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor whose comedy knows no bounds; she eagerly discusses any and every topic that tickles her. From dating short guys - because she has no other options at 6’2’’ - to being mistaken for a man, her Latinx identity, her take on race & gender, and wild stories & situations she’s gotten herself in and out of. Marcella’s half hour comedy special on HBO & HBO Max is quickly becoming a comedy classic. Of the special, Latin Media writes that Marcella “manages to ruffle feathers while delivering a routine that feels absolutely joyous.” Decider.com writes, “she has earned this moment.” Her debut album, The Woke Bully - which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Comedy Charts and was named One Of The Best Comedy Albums of 2019 by NPR program Bullseye - is a combination of Marcella’s unique perspective & honesty and captures what it’s like to experience her live. In 2023, she can be seen on Fuse TV’s second season of We Need To Talk About America, where first generation comedians dissect American-centric topics and viral videos. Her stand up can be seen on the second season of 2 Dope Queens on HBO as well as Night Train with Wyatt Cenac on STARZ; previously she has made a guest appearance on Comedy Central's Corporate and on episodes of FuseTV's Trivial Takedown. Recently MSN.com listed Marcella as number 10 in their list of "Top female comedians working in film and television today" alongside Amy Schumer, Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong. In the Fall of 2017, Vulture.com presented their list of “Comedians You Should and Will Know” and Marcella was the top industry pick, which gained her a feature in the November issue of New York Magazine.

Sean Grant

Sean Grant has been featured on Seasons 1 & 2 of TruTV's Laff Tracks, was a 2019 Just For Laughs New Face inductee and selected as one of the 10 comics to watch in 2020 by Timeout LA. His debut comedy album reached the top of the Amazon Sales charts in its first week. His stand up sets on Comedy Central's & Don't Tell Comedy's pages have reached millions of viewers across various platforms. Sean has also performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and has made guest TV appearances on Meet the Browns on TBS , Maron on IFC and WTF Baron Davis on IFC.

Danielle Perez

Danielle is a 2021 Just For Laughs New Face and Los Angeles based comedian, actor, and writer known to some as the woman in a wheelchair, with no feet, who won a treadmill on The Price Is Right. A 2019 & 2018 Stand Up NBC Semifinalist who has opened for Maria Bamford, Cristela Alonzo and Nicole Byer as well as performing at Sundance with Aida Rodriguez for Curated By Media. Danielle will soon recur in multiple episodes of Gloria Calderon Kellett’s Amazon series With Love with recent recurring roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) and Special (Netflix). She has appeared in the latest seasons of Russian Doll, as well as Diary of a Future President and starred alongside Jodie Sweetin and Alec Mapa in the romantic comedy Swipe Right. Danielle is currently developing a series where she will write, star and EP with a24 and staffed on Bumper in Berlin for Peacock starring Adam Devine.

Tyler Rothrock

Tyler Rothrock is a stand-up comedian and writer from Nazereth, PA. His debut album, Tyler of Nazareth, opened at No. 8 on the Billboard Comedy chart. He’s appeared at the New York Comedy Festival and also opened for Michael Che, Dave Attell, Roy Wood Jr., Kyle Kinane, and more. He’s also been a co-host of the Lehigh Valley With Love Podcast.

Friday Night Late Show

Chanel Ali

Chanel Ali is a standup comedian, writer, and actress living in New York City. She was host of the Food Network digital series Food Debate! and a cast member on MTV's Girl Code. Chanel has been a “New Face” at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal and appeared on Night Train with Wyatt Cenac (STARZ), Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks (TruTV), Dash & Lily (Netflix), and on Comedy Central. She was also on the dais of the Friar’s Club’s Roast of Gloria Allred and has written for @NetflixisaJoke. Chanel’s debut album, Chanel No. 1, was featured on 

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn. In 2021, she filmed her first hour special in Los Angeles as part of Epix’s Unprotected Sets, which premiered in March 2022.

Marcella Arguello

Marcella is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor whose comedy knows no bounds; she eagerly discusses any and every topic that tickles her. From dating short guys - because she has no other options at 6’2’’ - to being mistaken for a man, her Latinx identity, her take on race & gender, and wild stories & situations she’s gotten herself in and out of. Marcella’s half hour comedy special on HBO & HBO Max is quickly becoming a comedy classic. Of the special, Latin Media writes that Marcella “manages to ruffle feathers while delivering a routine that feels absolutely joyous.” Decider.com writes, “she has earned this moment.” Her debut album, The Woke Bully - which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Comedy Charts and was named One Of The Best Comedy Albums of 2019 by NPR program Bullseye - is a combination of Marcella’s unique perspective & honesty and captures what it’s like to experience her live. In 2023, she can be seen on Fuse TV’s second season of We Need To Talk About America, where first generation comedians dissect American-centric topics and viral videos. Her stand up can be seen on the second season of 2 Dope Queens on HBO as well as Night Train with Wyatt Cenac on STARZ; previously she has made a guest appearance on Comedy Central's Corporate and on episodes of FuseTV's Trivial Takedown. Recently MSN.com listed Marcella as number 10 in their list of "Top female comedians working in film and television today" alongside Amy Schumer, Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong. In the Fall of 2017, Vulture.com presented their list of “Comedians You Should and Will Know” and Marcella was the top industry pick, which gained her a feature in the November issue of New York Magazine.

Josh Day

Josh Day has been performing stand up comedy for over 11 years. A New Hampshire native, he has produced some of New England’s longest running and most successful comedy shows at several venues. Focused on helping folks laugh away their sadness, pain and frustration for a even a fleeting moment, he uses word play, self deprecation and true tales to connect the people in an absurd reality that even he isn’t sure exists. He has featured for Dave Attell, April Macie, Juston McKinney, Kyle Dunnigan, Drew Lynch, Myq Kaplan, Steve Gillespie, Chris Distefano, Gilbert Gottfried, Leah Rudick, Ben Kronberg and many more. As a traveling comedian he has performed at Denver Comedy Works (Downtown), The State Theater (Portland ME), West Palm Beach Improv (FL), Dallas Comedy Club (TX), Denver Comedy Underground (CO), Comedy Corner Underground (MN), NerdMelt (CA), Broadway Comedy Club (NYC), Side Splitters (FL) and many more. As a headliner he has done the Denver Comedy Lounge, Rhode Island Comedy Connection, Empire Comedy Club, The Word Barn and many more. He has appeared on the “Never Not Funny with Jimmy Pardo” podcast, “Paid or Pain” Podcast on Sirius/XM. He can be seen co-starring in the “Christmas Craig” web series on YouTube and in the Amazon Prime movie “Hedgehog”. He has been featured in the Boston Comedy Festival, Maine Comedy Festival, MUMfest, Highlife Style Comedy Festival and is going to be featured in the Great American Comedy Festival in June 2023. Josh likes helping folks forget their daily woes as life is a wild scary ride and it helps him with his as well.

Sean Grant

Sean Grant has been featured on Seasons 1 & 2 of TruTV's Laff Tracks, was a 2019 Just For Laughs New Face inductee and selected as one of the 10 comics to watch in 2020 by Timeout LA. His debut comedy album reached the top of the Amazon Sales charts in its first week. His stand up sets on Comedy Central's & Don't Tell Comedy's pages have reached millions of viewers across various platforms. Sean has also performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and has made guest TV appearances on Meet the Browns on TBS , Maron on IFC and WTF Baron Davis on IFC.

Danielle Perez

Tyler Rothrock

Tyler Rothrock is a stand-up comedian and writer from Nazereth, PA. His debut album, Tyler of Nazareth, opened at No. 8 on the Billboard Comedy chart. He’s appeared at the New York Comedy Festival and also opened for Michael Che, Dave Attell, Roy Wood Jr., Kyle Kinane, and more. He’s also been a co-host of the Lehigh Valley With Love Podcast.

Amy Silverberg

Amy Silverberg is a writer and comedian based in Los Angeles. Her debut novel "First Time, Long Time" is forthcoming from Grand Central Publishing in 2024. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing and Literature at the University of Southern California, where she teaches. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, The New Yorker, The New York Times, TriQuarterly, The Southern Review, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and many other publications. Amy also writes for television, most recently "The Movie Show" on the SYFY Channel. Amy's stand-up comedy has been featured on Comedy Central, Hulu, NPR, and Amazon Prime. She was selected as a "New Face" at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal.

E.L. Smith

A versatile talent, E.L. Smith can be heard on XM Satellite Radio. He can also be seen on Hulu, MTV, Netflix, Dry Bar, and Aamzon Prime. E.L Smith approaches the mic with a fearless, fun attitude that will leave audiences wanting more. He was the Laugh Factory's 2018 fresh face winner, top ten nationwide finalist for NBC clean comedy search. His confidence onstage helps him ease his way through a number of diverse topics. For this reason, E.L has been a finalist and winner in many comedy competitions. Recently E.L. can be seen on The Comedy Story documentary on Showtime. 

Saturday Night Performers

Vicki Lawrence

Multi-talented Vicki Lawrence, is an actress, comedian, and singer known for the many characters she originated on CBS's The Carol Burnett Show, where she appeared from 1967 to 1978, for the entire series run. One such character, Thelma Harper/Mama, was the central character of ever popular television situation comedy series Mama's Family. The show still can be seen daily in syndication throughout most of the country and is available as a Time-Life DVD collection.

Lawrence spends much of her time on the road with her stage production Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two Woman Show. She also enjoys speaking to women’s organizations and other great causes, where she shares her life story of fame, activism, and her continuing success. All the while she approaches everything with her characteristic sense of humor, reminding us all that “Life is much too serious to be taken seriously!”

Chanel Ali

Chanel Ali is a standup comedian, writer, and actress living in New York City. She was host of the Food Network digital series Food Debate! and a cast member on MTV's Girl Code. Chanel has been a “New Face” at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal and appeared on Night Train with Wyatt Cenac (STARZ), Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks (TruTV), Dash & Lily (Netflix), and on Comedy Central. She was also on the dais of the Friar’s Club’s Roast of Gloria Allred and has written for @NetflixisaJoke. Chanel’s debut album, Chanel No. 1, was featured on 

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn. In 2021, she filmed her first hour special in Los Angeles as part of Epix’s Unprotected Sets, which premiered in March 2022.

Josh Day

Josh Day has been performing stand up comedy for over 11 years. A New Hampshire native, he has produced some of New England’s longest running and most successful comedy shows at several venues. Focused on helping folks laugh away their sadness, pain and frustration for a even a fleeting moment, he uses word play, self deprecation and true tales to connect the people in an absurd reality that even he isn’t sure exists. He has featured for Dave Attell, April Macie, Juston McKinney, Kyle Dunnigan, Drew Lynch, Myq Kaplan, Steve Gillespie, Chris Distefano, Gilbert Gottfried, Leah Rudick, Ben Kronberg and many more. As a traveling comedian he has performed at Denver Comedy Works (Downtown), The State Theater (Portland ME), West Palm Beach Improv (FL), Dallas Comedy Club (TX), Denver Comedy Underground (CO), Comedy Corner Underground (MN), NerdMelt (CA), Broadway Comedy Club (NYC), Side Splitters (FL) and many more. As a headliner he has done the Denver Comedy Lounge, Rhode Island Comedy Connection, Empire Comedy Club, The Word Barn and many more. He has appeared on the “Never Not Funny with Jimmy Pardo” podcast, “Paid or Pain” Podcast on Sirius/XM. He can be seen co-starring in the “Christmas Craig” web series on YouTube and in the Amazon Prime movie “Hedgehog”. He has been featured in the Boston Comedy Festival, Maine Comedy Festival, MUMfest, Highlife Style Comedy Festival and is going to be featured in the Great American Comedy Festival in June 2023. Josh likes helping folks forget their daily woes as life is a wild scary ride and it helps him with his as well.

Amy Silverberg

Amy Silverberg is a writer and comedian based in Los Angeles. Her debut novel "First Time, Long Time" is forthcoming from Grand Central Publishing in 2024. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing and Literature at the University of Southern California, where she teaches. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, The New Yorker, The New York Times, TriQuarterly, The Southern Review, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and many other publications. Amy also writes for television, most recently "The Movie Show" on the SYFY Channel. Amy's stand-up comedy has been featured on Comedy Central, Hulu, NPR, and Amazon Prime. She was selected as a "New Face" at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal.

E.L. Smith

A versatile talent, E.L. Smith can be heard on XM Satellite Radio. He can also be seen on Hulu, MTV, Netflix, Dry Bar, and Aamzon Prime. E.L Smith approaches the mic with a fearless, fun attitude that will leave audiences wanting more. He was the Laugh Factory's 2018 fresh face winner, top ten nationwide finalist for NBC clean comedy search. His confidence onstage helps him ease his way through a number of diverse topics. For this reason, E.L has been a finalist and winner in many comedy competitions. Recently E.L. can be seen on The Comedy Story documentary on Showtime. 

Host of the Friday and Saturday night shows

Pat Janssen

Pat Janssen is a Nebraska native who has appeared in numerous commercials and TV shows. He has also appeared on an album cover and music video for Grammy-nominated indie band Glass Animals. He has been named New England's Best Bar Comic by Jack Daniels.

Festival Date & Time

June 15-17, 2023

Thursday - 7pm - Comedy Magic Show

Friday - 7pm - Comedy Showcase

Friday Late Night- 10:30 pm- /Sparklight Late Night Show

?Saturday - 7pm - Festival Gala

Location: (All shows at Johnny Carson Theatre except Late Night Show is at The Stables)

BOOK ONLINE

Purchase your tickets online here. Tickets are non-refundable. Print and bring with you to the show. 

Based on availability tickets may be available at the door.

Click here for more information