The Comedy Scene in Reno
Reno is on its way to becoming the place for a comedic storm as comedians from all across the country come to give big laughs to the biggest little city.
Local comedians are bringing hilarity to Reno as they perform at the local comedy clubs. The comedic community in Reno is also growing as traveling comedians visit to perform.
Kevin Farley, primarily a stand up comedian, is coming to perform in Reno on April 29th and April 30th. He is currently traveling across the country in various cities as well. He has worked on his comedy routines for years as well as appeared in and directed movies. Farley says his interactions with his audiences are what keeps him coming back and performing.
Farley got started in comedy when his brother, Chris Farley, went to Second City, Chicago.
When reminiscing on his first time at Second City, Farley said, “ I thought to myself, what a wonderful way to make a living, what a great thing”… “And if I can make a living doing that, I could probably be happy.”
Farley has been involved with movies such as American Carol, Black Sheep, White Knight and Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights and The Waterboy. He not only participates in the acting side of comedy for film but also assisted in the off-screen work of show-biz. Farley directed Paranormal Movie and was an executive producer for the documentary, I Am Chris Farley on his brother, Chris Farley.
Said Farley, “There’s a lot of work that goes into putting movie or tv show or stand up show together, but the actual work is really what drives you”
Currently Farley is working on his new show on Netflix. The show is called, “F is for Family”, which premiered December of 2015. Farley is also working on a new show for CMT called, “Still the King” starring Billy Ray Cyrus. Farley has had an extensive career in comedy and is still doing the work he truly enjoys. He said his favorite part of his job is doing the actual work itself that comes along with comedy.
Said Farley when referring to having a career in comedy, “You have to really like it, you can’t be doing it for any other reason”.
Students around the Reno community are interested in being involved in comedy as well.
20-year-old student at the University of Nevada, Reno, Jacqueline Ghorbani said, “I am a huge fan of going to stand up performances and comedy shows. I just really love to laugh”.
Ghorbani comes from a background of jokesters and has had an interest in going to shows while she lives in Reno. She says she also has a comedic group of friends who always keep her entertained and constantly laughing.
Said Ghorbani, “I think more students should try doing comedy or going to more events that involve comedy. It brings so much light to your life and just makes you happy”.
She is considering attending Kevin Farley’s show at Reno-Tahoe Comedy at the end of April.
Wayne Wright is the owner of Reno-Tahoe Comedy, which just celebrated it’s 5 year anniversary. One of his locations, Pioneer Underground, is located in downtown Reno on South Virginia Street. The Reno-Tahoe Comedy is the comedy club that will be hosting Kevin Farley’s stand up show at the end of April. Wright also has locations in Tahoe, Auburn, and Carson City as well. On a day to day basis, Wright books comics to perform, orders supplies for the venue, and marketing. Reno-Tahoe comedy tries to bring in local comics to perform and display their stand up material. He enjoys working with the comics brought in to perform.
Wright says he likes the positive energy that comedy brings to the communities of his clubs.
“One of my favorite parts of my job is seeing people enjoy the shows,” said Wright.
On a day to day basis Wright works with the comics by booking their performances at the comedy clubs, putting shows together, and taking the comedians to their interviews.
When talking about his experiences with performing, Farley said, “When you are in the middle of doing a scene on a show or you are doing a live show and that interaction with the audience, those are the things that keep you coming back”.