Making jokes, laughing, supporting locals: the comedy economy

BUFFALO, NY — Some say laughter is the best medicine. Local comics from all over New York would say that attending one of their shows is also much more affordable. Spectrum News 1 looks at lines like this and more, as comedy shows large and small make the case for arts-expanding comedy scenes and opportunities.

They may not be the busiest venues, but talent and dedication to a craft fuel comedy scenes across the Empire State.

“You know, I just loved performing,” said Kevin Andrews, who works tirelessly to book shows in and around Buffalo.

It all started with artistic training in high school.

“Then I went to college and stopped doing any kind of show and, I don’t know, it wasn’t like an existential crisis, but like when I woke up one day when I was 30, like right before the pandemic, I was like I should probably do something.

He’s been growing the scene for about a year now and paying his dues with his own sets.

“You know, people are giving us a few options to host the show, which is like open the show, feature all the comics and do some comedy yourself,” Andrews said. “And I realized that I really like it.”

He has a day job, but after hours he is overworked.

“People started saying, ‘We need more shows, we need more shows.’ But no one wants to do the legwork,” Andrews added. “It’s hard. It’s a lot of responsibility. But I really wanted to start doing this because I want to grow the scene as much as possible.”

Which brings us to shows like a recent outing at Allentown Hardware in Nickel City. It’s an intimate, inexpensive show in a Buffalo bar, but it’s here that the comics have reps and, on what could be a slow evening at any watering hole, are now helping to attract business and laughter.

“Everyone is super welcoming in our little comedy community,” Andrews said. “And these places are very special to us. I’m always looking for new things to try to do with my comedy shows.”

From open mics to getting food trucks involved in the summer at different venues, it all comes down to providing opportunities for growth.

“What I love is seeing the real-time examples of where you have four people here now,” he said. “You have double that, you keep doubling that.”

Andrews argues that you should give local comics a chance, because it’s like putting on a musical, rock show, or sometimes an impromptu grammar lesson.

“It’s working hours, but it’s the best thing ever,” he said. “Obviously I’m biased in that sense, but I think it should give us a chance because we have a lot of really talented people in this area.”