The beat of Omaha’s music scene can be heard all the way from Lincoln, but the stand-up comedy scene is nearly nonexistent.
Comedian Nick Allen is trying to change that with Fancy Party Comedy every month at the Waiting Room Lounge.
“The one element that is missing in Omaha is the stand-up comedy,” said Austin Anderson a seven-year stand-up comedian who has opened for Larry the Cable Guy and Bob Saget.
Tonight at 9 p.m., Allen and his comedic friends will perform their October stand-up show with Anderson headlining.
“We get up there and hang out like the kids whose parents have gone out of town,” Allen said.
Anderson and Allen are both part of the core group that performs at most shows.
“Everybody has an original voice and a unique way of doing things,” Allen said. “One of the big things about stand-up itself is you can make it whatever you want.”
Allen is trying something new with the show tomorrow evening, opening with a headlining comedian who will perform for 45 minutes compared to the usual five to 10 minutes per humorist.
“We are trying this new thing where we give more time to those that can do it,” Anderson said. “I like to headline because you get 45 minutes, which is nice because I have a lot too say.”
Their goal is to build up the comic scene by offering a short spot for developing comedians while still granting extended stage time to a more experienced, featured performer.
“The thing about stand-up is you can’t practice without getting on the stage in front of strangers,” Allen said. “It is not like football or something where you can practice throwing a ball. You can’t stand in front of a mirror and practice people yelling back at you.”
But it is also about building up a varied art scene.
“I would just like to see Omaha as into comedy as they are into music, so we can be diverse in all the arts.”
Anderson hopes that as Fancy Party Comedy gains more of a gathering, the show will expand to more nights.
“With Fancy Party, (the comedy scene) will continue to grow,” he said. “Instead of being able to catch an independent stand-up show once a month in Omaha, you would be able to hit a show once a week.”
But until then, Fancy Party Comedy can be found once a month at the Waiting Room, usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday night.
“Anybody that comes to the show will see that they know what they are doing,” Allen said.
kaykemmet@dailynebraskan.com
If you go:
What: Fancy Party Comedy
Where: The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St., Omaha
When: Tonight, 9 p.m.
How much: $5
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