PORT TOWNSEND — Competitive comedy is no laughing matter.
Sixteen comedians from the U.S. and Canada will converge on Port Townsend on Wednesday, another stop in the 30th annual Seattle International Standup Comedy Competition.
The contest will be held at the Upstage Restaurant, one of 23 shows taking place over 26 days at 19 venues throughout Western Washington.
In total, 32 professional comedians are competing for $15,000 in cash prizes. The winner nets $6,000 cash and a recording contract with Uproar Entertainment.
And, of course, the media exposure can help anyone’s career. For example, the 2007 winner “Marcus” went on to be a runner-up on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”
Seattle comedians competing at the Upstage are Mike Cummings, Travis Simmons, Solomon Georgio and Nicole Lucas.
Also appearing are Mike Baldwin of Kansas City, Mo.; David Cope of New York; Toby Hargrave of Vancouver, British Columbia; Paul Hooper of Charlotte, N.C.; Sean Kent of Austin, Texas; Steve Krause of Phoenix; Deric Lengwenus of Montreal; .J. McKenzie of Vancouver, British Columbia; Leif Skyvin of Boise, Idaho; Nick Sun of Syndey, Australia; Prescott Tolk of Chicago and Brandon Vestal of Tulsa, Okla.
The competition takes place at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Tickets are $12, available at the door or by reservation by phoning the Upstage Restaurant at 360-385-2216.
