.jpg)
NORFOLK — A group of some of the greatest talents in improv comedy are coming to Norfolk to bring a new twist to the Great American Comedy Festival.
Bluebird Improv - featuring comedians Joe Canale, Marc Evan Jackson, Brad Morris, and Matt Walsh - will be the headliners of the festival’s show on Friday, June 19 at the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk.
“Long form improv is one of the truly great comedic art forms,” said festival executive director Pat Janssen. “I’m so happy we get to honor it this year with one of the best improv teams on the planet.”
Matt Walsh is a two-time Emmynominated actor from HBO’s awardwinning comedy series Veep, and cast member of Apple TV’s acclaimed limited series Manhunt. He is also a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Recently, he appeared in Hulu’s Unplugging, which he co- wrote, and starred alongside Eva Longoria. He can also be seen in The Good Half starring Nick Jonas. Walsh has appeared in memorable roles in several popular comedy films including Life of the Party, Old School, Starsky and Hutch, Ted, and Keeping Up With The Joneses.
“Virtually every great improviser and sketch comedian this century has been trained by Upright Citizens Brigade,” Janssen said. “He is - and this is no exaggeration - one of the most influential people in comedy.”
Joe Canale has been improvising around the world for the past 30 years, including stints at Boom Chicago in Amsterdam and The Second City Mainstage in Chicago among many others. While he’s not made appearances in film and television his greatest pleasure is derived from performing live improv for an audience.
“Joe is perhaps the fastest and most light-on-his-feet improviser I’ve ever seen,” Janssen said. “He’s a whip-smart comedian who brings energy so effortlessly. Plus, his dad used to teach at UNL, so he’s a huge Husker fan. That’s got to earn him some extra points with our audience!”
Marc Evan Jackson is a comedian, writer, improvisor and actor best known for his work on NBC’s The Good Place and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
His recent film credits include Jumanji, Kong: Skull Island, and 22 Jump Street. He moved from the Second City Detroit to Los Angeles in 2001. He has taught improv at Second City Hollywood and in 2003 formed a long-form improv group of other Second City alumni called The 313, an homage to Detroit. He is also a contributor to the after-school literacy program 826 LA.
“Marc is is a consummate performer,” Janssen added. “He’s had some of the most memorable roles in some of the best television shows of the century.”
Brad Morris is a veteran tv and film writer, producer, actor, director and improviser.
An alum of four of Chicago’s Second City’s Mainstage revues, the iO Theatre and The Annoyance, Brad is a member of the renowned long form improvisational groups, The Reckoning and Uncle’s Brother with Tim Meadows. Brad has improvised around the world with the Second City National Touring company and Matt Walsh and Friends for the USO. As a TV writer, Brad spent three seasons as a producer on the TBS comedy, Cougar Town, was a producer on the Showtime series, Dice, and was co-ep and head writer for seasons 1 and 2 of the critically acclaimed series for Paramount and Seeso, Bajillion Dollar Properties.
“It’s no stretch to say I’ve seen Brad Morris perform more than any other improv comedian, and that’s because he’s been an integral part of so many great teams,” Janssen noted. “When I lived in LA, I’d watch him perform every week and just be blown away every time. I’m so happy he’ll be here in northeast Nebraska.”
Bluebird is an improv team with several talented and highly-regarded members. These four comedians represent the likely lineup, but it is subject to change with the possibility of some team members being added or removed ahead of the show.
Since it is an improv show, it can be wildly unpredictable. Festival organizers are suggesting parental discretion.
The annual festival opened in 2008 to honor the legacy of Norfolk’s favorite son, Johnny Carson, who was host of NBC’s “Late Night Show Starring Johnny Carson” for over 25 years. It begins with the family comedy magic show on Thursday, June 12th, and continues with the Friday Theatre Show on Friday June 13th along with the Friday Late Show at Norfolk’s District Events Center.
The Great American Comedy Festival is also made possible with the support of the Nebraska Arts Council, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and the Norfolk Visitors Bureau..
Tickets for the festival went on sale March 12. For tickets and information, visit www.greatamericancomedyfestival. com
