Category Archives: Local Comics

Andrew Orvedahl

Andrew Orvedahl is a stand-up comedian from Denver, Colorado, who has spent the last fifteen years performing in clubs, colleges and comedy festivals from coast to coast. His stand-up has been seen on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, as well as Last Call with Carson Daly and Flophouse on Vice. He is also the co-creator and co-star of the sitcom Those Who Can’t, which is set to debut its third season on TruTV this winter.

Andrew’s comedy style mixes observational jokes with true stories. His debut album, Hit the Dick Lights, was one of the top ten comedy albums in Time Out New York magazine, and averages 18,000 listens a month on Spotify.

Currently Andrew splits his time between Los Angeles and Denver, and is hard at work writing some new shows and movies.

Get tickets HERE to see Andrew LIVE November 7 & 20, 2018!

Adam Cayton-Holland Publishes First Book

Denver native and Comedy Works’ regular, Adam Cayton-Holland has published a tragicomic memoir remembering his funny yet incredibly honest relationship with his younger sister and her suicide. Tragedy Plus Time is set to release on August 21st.

It’s a tribute to the littlest member of our clan who burned so brightly, and it’s an honest look at mental illness and mourning.

We know Cayton-Holland from Tru TV’s Those Who Can’t, CONAN, The Late Late Show and of course, our very own Comedy Works’ stage. But this is a side of Cayton-Holland unbeknownst to the comedy world. Cayton-Holland always knew he wanted to be a writer but he never imagined this would be his first published book’s subject.

But I never in a million years would have thought the subject matter of my first book would be the suicide of my little sister, whom I love and miss so much. I’m excited and heartbroken – which is pretty much how I’ve operated ever since Lydia passed away.

The Cayton-Holland’s had three children: Anna, Adam and Lydia. All of which had developed OCD by the time they were teenagers. Anna found her peace through law, Adam with comedy but Lydia, quite arguably the brightest of them all, struggled to find her place. When Adam sunk into a deep depression his freshman year of college, Lydia pulled him out. Later when Lydia begins to slip into her own depression, although he tries, Adam couldn’t return the favor.

Cayton-Holland recommends his book to anyone who has suffered a major loss. Mental illness is no longer something to whisper about but to learn and to understand from. Cayton-Holland’s Tragedy Plus Time aims to guide the grieving, relate to the ones left behind and remember those who’ve gone too soon.

Pre-order Tragedy Plus Time here!

 

 

Heartfelt and Brilliant – Patton Oswald

Tragedy Plus Time absolutely gutted me- then it filled me with hope. I hate that Adam has this story to tell, but he tells it so beautifully. – Tig Notaro 

A searing memoir… This is Cayton-Holland’s heartbreaking word of genius. He writes with candor and care of Lydia’s bright light and his own darkest hour, making for an unforgettable read. – Booklist 

 

 

Adam Cayton-Holland will be headlining Comedy Works Downtown October 3rd. Get your tickets here!

Edith Weiss

This is the face of a woman who could change your entire creative career; Edith Weiss. A writer, director and actor, Weiss has perfected what is known as a ‘Triple Threat,’ and she wants to help you do the same.

She’s published over 30 plays, toured the country as a comedian with the Military, and was head writer and director for all seven of Pham Aly’s (Physically Handicapped Actors & Musical Actors League) Vox Series.

Edith has acted or directed for the Denver Center, the Arvada Center, the Avenue Theater, Nomads, Littleton Town Hall, Backstage Breckenridge, and the Aurora Fox.

Edith is bringing her expertise to the Comedy Works stage for two more months in 2018 and offering The Best Damn Improv Workshop. Whether you’re an aspiring actor, comedian or just an average person looking for their voice, Edith is here to help.

Edith has performed in three professional improvisation groups – Chicken LipsScenic Overbite, and Plastered in Paris. Edith credits improvisation with allowing her to make a living in the arts for most of her life. “For an artist/performer, be it actor, writer, director, comic -improvisation helps you make original choices. In all areas of life, it brings out the artist in you.”

“I went with the idea of never performing, but in hopes of improving my public speaking skills (I practiced law in Denver), and having some fun. It made such a difference to me in making court appearances. Because I was not in court every day, there were times when I would feel a bit rusty, especially in the more formal context of the appellate courts. Improv gave me the chance to stretch out in thinking on my feet, and overcome nervousness standing up in front of people every week. It was great. People came and went, many of us formed permanent friendships, and we always had a lot of laughs. Edith had an ability to bring out peoples’ strengths and improve their weaknesses, really a good director. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”
— Jane H.

The Best Damn Improv Workshop will offer two classes: Beginners and Beyond Beginners. Beginners is a class tailored to any performer or person looking to increase their public speaking and communication skills. Beyond Beginners is targeted towards people who’ve taken an improv class before (whether it be this one or not) and would like to take the next step.

 

Get your tickets to The Best Damn Improv Workshop Here!

Hippieman’s new identifier

One of Colorado’s best known comedians, a Comedy Works’ regular and Boulder native, “Hippieman” is leaving the building.

After decades of establishing his brand as “Hippieman,” with wirey hair and a wandering eye, John Novosad has been prompted, “Why leave the niche behind?”

Novosad admits it’s a weird transition but it’s something he had been considering for some time.

Photo by The Daily Camera (Matthew Jonas / Staff Photographer)

“I feel like it has a connotation, that it feels like a nostalgia act to me,” [Novosad] said. “And really, I’ve changed a lot over the years. In the 45-minute set, if I am headlining, I have like 3 minutes of weed jokes. I don’t even know what a hippie joke is. l look like a hippie, I guess, but I don’t live in a commune. I pay taxes. I don’t know if hippies pay taxes or not. Technically, I don’t consider myself a hippie.”

 

Because Novosad is so well-known in the Colorado comedy scene, many people have voiced their opinion on his decision to leave “Hippieman” behind. One of those people being Peter McGraw, a behavioral scientist at the University of Colorado, director of Humor Research Lab and host of the regular podcast, “I’m Not Joking.”

McGrew, hearing of Novosad’s transition, invited him onto his podcast to figure out just why Colorado is losing it’s one and only “Hippieman” in a time of “high” demand.

“I’m intrigued by it, and I’m intrigued because I actually think that the average comedian should be doing the opposite of what John is doing,” McGraw said.

 

You can watch Novosad featured on the “I’m Not Joking” podcast LIVE on June 16 at 8PM at the Dairy Arts Center!
(Click for Tickets)

 

 

 

Comedy Works’ Headliners at Bonnaroo 2018

Taylor Tomlinson and Aparna Nancherla have been confirmed for Bonnaroo’s 2018 Comedy Lineup.

Bonnaroo is a music and arts festival held in Manchester, Tennesse. This year Bonnaroo will feature two ladies you might recognize from Comedy Works: Taylor Tomlinson and Aparna Nancherla.  

Taylor Tomlinson, Comedy Works South 12/09/17
Taylor Tomlinson will be back at Comedy Works Downtown May 16-19
Aparna Nancherla will make her Comedy Works Downtown debut November 15-17