Talkin’ Shop, a podcast hosted by local Denver comic, Anthony Crawford, focuses on the best and most respected people in comedy. This week’s episode featured Comedy Works’ own, Wende Curtis. 

 photo credit: Andrew Bray

“They don’t F*$%#ing get it,” Curtis whispers as she explains Comedy Works compared to its rivals.

The basement of the Granite Building has been home to the famous Comedy Works downtown showroom since 1981. Ranked in the “Top 20 Things To Do in Denver” on TripAdvisor.com, going to a show at Comedy Works is unlike any comedy club experience in the country.

“There’s something so magical about that room,” Curtis, Comedy Works’ CEO, muses. The shadowy basement that seats over 200 customers “like little sardines” is unique and quaint to Curtis. When she says they just don’t get it, she’s talking about the variety of other comedy clubs who don’t favor the close-knit, underground room. But to so many, Comedy Works’ downtown showroom is the best stage they’ve ever performed on.  As Dave Chappelle put it, “Comedy Works is the best independent comedy club in the United States.” (And Chappelle prefers the downtown club to our other club).

Listen to Wende talk about:

–  creating space for young comedy after The Squire Lounge closed
– booking TJ Miller in the wake of the #MeToo movement
– how to evolve the club with the times
– being a female business owner in a male-dominated industry