Kitty and Tom Kiel of Sagamore Hills and Kelly Widemire of Cuyahoga Falls enjoy a party they won at Hilarities Comedy Club to see comedian Randy Chestnut Oct. 6.

Credit: Jason Hall

By traveling 15 minutes, one can see live performances by comics from all over the country, including comics who have performed on Comedy Central.

Hilarities Comedy Club, 1757 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, has bragging room for being one of four comedy clubs in northeast Ohio.

“I know what people like in this area. We try to give them the best of the comics for the circuit today,” said Lucy Biddee, who books all the entertainment and also works in marketing. “My phone usually rings non-stop. Finding a comic is not a problem, the only problem is that we don’t have enough weeks in a year to book.”

Upon entering Hilarities, a person is seated at a table with chairs pointed at a medium size stage. Even though it isn’t in a major city, Hilarities provides a professional show.

Each night starts with an amateur MC to introduce the acts. This person is sometimes called the sacrificial lamb because he has to talk to a cold audience. Later, the feature act is brought out and usually has a credential or two. Finally, the MC introduces the headliner who has a couple credentials, which may include Comedy Central or BET.

Hilarities has recently moved down the road, since its older location burned down. It may move back in a year or two, but for now it is staying at its current location.

To sign up as an amateur, just call a few weeks in advance.

“We asked them to have five minutes of clean TV material,” Biddee said. “We ask them to eliminate the swearing and references to body parts. I tell comics they’ll never get anywhere with a dirty show.”

There are also special nights. Tuesday night is college ID night, and admittance is free for students with a valid college ID.

Hilarities has a full cocktail bar and a complete restaurant menu with everything from nachos and cheese to steak. Waitresses take orders during the show without being disruptive.

For a unique date or simply a stress-free, laugh-filled night, spend a weeknight at Hilarities Comedy Club.

Contact ALL reporter Erika Kreider at [email protected].