He says the money is in “the four Cs” — casinos, colleges, corporations, and cruises. The fifth C, clubs, are in a distant last place as far as making a living as a comic, Collins says. Clubs, however, are where comics make or break their reputations.
Marley and Collins see new ways to get “discovered,” besides just going somewhere else. Dane Cook from Massachusetts is nationally known from his massive following on MySpace.com (www.myspace.com/danecook). Collins notes there is a Maine effect as well, citing one comic who sold out his first performance at the Comedy Connection by networking online. And Marley filled his first-ever show in Denver the same way, bringing a seven-fold raise for his second show there.
New marketing, new venues, new comics — it all makes Marley “really happy,” he says. “None of that was ever available to me when I was starting out.”
REGULAR COMEDY:
Acoustic Coffee | open mic every other Wednesday | 32 Danforth St, Portland | 207.774.0404 | www.acousticcoffee.net
Chappie’s | every Thursday | 1192 Forest Ave, Portland | 207.797.9155
Cocktails | every Monday | 6 East Grand Ave, Old Orchard Beach | 207.934.4068
Comedy Connection | every Wednesday through Sunday | 6 Custom House Wharf, Portland | 207.774.5554 | www.mainecomedy.com
Liquid Blue | every Friday and Saturday | 440 Fore St, Portland | 207.774.9595 | www.portlandatnight.net
NOW + AGAIN COMEDY:
Asylum | 121 Center St, Portland | 207.772.8274
Café DeCarlo | every three months | 163 Main St, Bridgton | 207.647.4596 | www.cafedecarlo.com
City Theater | 205 Main St, Biddeford | 207.282.0849 | www.citytheater.org
Geno’s | the Escapists sketch comedy, monthly | 625 Congress St, Portland | 207.221.2382 | www.myspace.com/genosrockclub
Keeley the Katerer | benefit shows | 178 Warren Ave, Portland | 207.797.3550 | www.keeleythekaterer.com
Memory Lane | monthly | 2 Ossipee Trail East (Route 25), Standish | 207.642.3363 | www.memorylane2005.com
Oddfellow Theater | sketch comedy, monthly | Route 117, Buckfield | 207.336.3306 | www.oddfellow.com
Spectators Sports Bar | Route 4, Sanford | 207.324.9658
Steep Falls Fire Barn | every other month | 87 Boundary Rd, Standish | 207.642.3461
Thatcher’s Westbrook | 506 Main St, Westbrook | 207.854.5600
COMEDY LINGO
Host | Warms up the crowd, introduces comics, keeps atmosphere going throughout the night.
Showcase | A short (five- to 10-minute) slot for a young comic, often part of a “showcase night,” a series of eight to 10 such acts held usually on weeknights, in which comedians try out new material or refine existing jokes.
Feature | A mid-level comic; two or three perform 15- to 20-minute spots to get the night going and lead up to the headliner.
Headliner | A top-notch comic with 10 or 15 years of experience, the main performer of the night, who will perform for as much as an hour.
WHAT'S THE CONNECTION?
Oliver Keithly, owner of the Comedy Connection in Portland, used to work at the club of the same name in Boston. He owns the rights to the name, so when he moved to Maine, he used it for his club. The two are otherwise unaffiliated.
Email the author
Jeff Inglis: jinglis@phx.com
