The late May edition of Local Grins delivers a rollicking roundup of big and small comedy shows across West Michigan, as well as some hilarious movies to tickle your funny bone.
Zany Fun: Bad Momz of Comedy is coming to the Acorn Theatre. (Courtesy Photo)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Once a month, Local Spins rounds up area comedy news with “Local Grins,” a spotlight on the region’s comedy scene compiled by writer and comedy maven Virginia Anzengruber.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Email comments, questions and show additions to virginia.anzengruber@gmail.com. View full comedy show listings here.
BRACING COMEDY IN KALAMAZOO – Bob Fredericks is from Kalamazoo. Well, technically. “More or less – I grew up in Parchment. But it’s the type of small town that five minutes down the street is Kalamazoo. So, I’ve lived in Kalamazoo itself longer than I’ve lived in Parchment at this point in my life, so I say I was born and raised in Kalamazoo.” The host and producer of the wildly popular Shakespeare’s Lower Level Comedy at Shakespeare’s Pub at 241 E. Kalamazoo Ave. Fredericks’ recent shows have included headliners Sohrab Forouzesh (Laugh Factory), Brad Wenzel (CONAN, Netflix is a Joke), and Zach Martina. And on June 21, John Heffron (HBO, Last Comic Standing) headlines a 9 p.m. show. Tickets are $23.18 (all fees included) and are available via Eventbrite.
A stand-up comedian since 2011, Fredericks prides himself on bringing world-class lineups to his venue and building a true comedy loving scene in West Michigan, though his first love is performing standup. “Being the person that’s entertaining people and telling the jokes is the best part of it but you get a lot more opportunities when you make them for yourself. The nice thing about Shakepeare’s is that I’ve been able to put on the shows that I would like to put on. They haven’t always been great. Some are better than others. But, just bringing that level of comedy show to Kalamazoo, I get to enjoy the benefits even if I have to be the one running everything, and not telling jokes.”
As for what he hopes to see for the future of comedy in West Michigan: “Honestly, I wish I had a magic wand to let people know what’s going on. A lot of people just don’t realize that there’s comedy or other art happening in their backyard. I’m trying to book people who are passionate about the craft of comedy and want to come and put on a good show.” And audiences from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids and everywhere in between have been showing up for these shows, something Fredericks notes is important. “I want people to be there because I want to share comedy with people in Kalamazoo, and I want it to exist and make it something that’s accessible and a good value for how to spend your time. It’s not something I’m doing just for the pursuit of trying to build a business or make money for myself as much as to share the art with everyone and make is sustainable. That’s a really wordy way to say: Come enjoy the art with us.”
Folks can follow Bob Fredericks at https://www.facebook.com/BobComedyEvents.
FUNNY SUMMER MOVIES AT WEALTHY THEATRE – Looking for a fun way to stay cool and beat the (eventual) heat this summer? There might be fewer comedy shows in the summer, but Wealthy Theatre, located at 1130 Wealthy St. SE in Grand Rapids, part of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, has a great slate of funny films for movie lovers of all ages in June, July and August. GRCMC members receive discounts on movie tickets, access to the concession stand bar during events, and premium members can rent the venue for their own events (like “The Stolen Stool” comedy show on Aug. 29). To learn more, purchase movie tickets, and become a GRCMC member, visit https://grcmc.org/theatre.
● June 3: “The Devil Wears Prada”
● June 23: “Bottoms” with GR Film Society
● July 15: “Nacho Libre”
● Aug 19: “Airplane”
UPCOMING BIG COMEDY SHOWS YOU SHOULD KNOW– West Michigan is home to a vibrant underground and independent comedy scene, but did you know we also get world-famous touring comedians that come to Grand Rapids and beyond? Below is a short list of some upcoming larger shows you should know about with household names you know and love.
● June 5-7: Laurie Kilmartin (Dr. Grins Comedy Club)
● June 26-28: Dave Landau (Dr. Grins Comedy Club)
● Aug 3: Mohanad Elshieky, Virginia Anzengruber, Devarron Thomas (Pyramid Scheme)
● August 14: Rainn Wilson (Devos Hall)
● September 13: Steve Hofstetter (Wealthy Theatre)
● September 19: John Crist (Devos Hall)
● September 25: Samantha Bee: How to Survive Menopause (Wealthy Theatre)
BAD MOMZ OF COMEDY COMES TO THREE OAKS– Michigan moms who need a night out should mark their calendars. The Bad Momz of Comedy tour takes place June 7 at The Acorn in Three Oaks. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. General admission is $30 (advance), $35 (week of show); reserved seating is $60 (advance), $65 (week of show) and are available at acornlive.org.
As seen on the Kelly Clarkson Show, Bad Momz of Comedy has sold out shows across the country. Founded by Chicago-based comic Orly KG in 2022, each Bad Momz of Comedy show utilizes a small showcase of comics from its growing roster of 80-plus influential mom/female comics.
Bad Momz of Comedy (Courtesy Photo)
HOLLAND PARK THEATRE’S “OUTTA THE PARK” SUMMER COMEDY SERIES – This summer, Holland’s historicc Park Theatre is trading chords for punchlines with its brand-new “Outta the Park: 2025 Summer Comedy Series” — a red-hot lineup of nationally known comedians and rising stars taking over downtown Holland from June through August. Headliners include Tony Rock, Doug Benson, Bret Ernst and more.
Presented by the creative minds behind Park Theatre’s hit music and entertainment programming and comedy booker/promoter Jordan Garnett, the Outta the Park series aims to bring major-league laughs to West Michigan with a roster of stand-up powerhouses.
Tony Rock, a comedy veteran and younger brother of Chris Rock, leads the charge with his signature raw wit and charismatic stage presence. Known for his breakout role as Uncle Ryan on Everybody Hates Chris, Rock has blazed his own trail with sold-out tours and appearances on HBO, Comedy Central and Netflix.
The series also includes an appearance by the ever-popular Doug Benson, host of the long-running podcast Doug Loves Movies and star of “Super High Me.” Benson’s laid-back, stoner-smart humor has earned him a cult following and comedy cred from coast to coast.
The series also features:
● Mark Viera (June 5): A Bronx-born comic whose energetic storytelling and spot-on impressions make him an audience favorite.
● Mitch Fatel (June 29): A quirky, charming veteran known for his offbeat delivery and late-night TV appearances.
● Dean Edwards (August 10): A gifted impressionist and Saturday Night Live alum whose vocal talent and dynamic presence make him a must-see.
● Bret Ernst (July 30): Seen on Netflix’s Cobra Kai, Bret brings a gritty, relatable take on life, love, and growing up in Jersey.
● James Davis, Jordan Rock, Matt Bellak and a special showcase with Matt Lauria & Friends round out a summer season packed with fresh faces and seasoned pros.
“We’re thrilled to bring this high-caliber comedy lineup to Holland,” said Chad Elhart, operations/marketing director at Park Theatre. “Outta the Park is about spotlighting talent that spans generations and styles—from household names to next-big-things. We’re setting the stage for an unforgettable summer.”
All shows are 18-plus (or with adult supervision). Performances take place at Park Theatre, 248 S. River Ave. in Holland. Get tickets and lineup details online at parktheatreholland.org.
Local Grins is assembled by writer and comedy devotee Virginia Anzengruber. Email comments, questions and show additions to virginia.anzengruber@gmail.com.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
The Comedy Project – The Comedy Project (TCP) is a comedy theater and moonshine bar in Grand Rapids’ vibrant Westside Business District, Joe Anderson and Kristin Kendall helm TCP and foster an incredible community of comedic performers and writers right here in West Michigan. Anderson, a veteran of improvisational theater training, created The Comedy Project’s Training Center Program, which “provides training in Improvisation, Sketch Comedy and Stand-Up Comedy.” They host private events, and their slate of weekly sketch and improv comedy shows can be found at https://thecomedyproject.com/shows/.
Copyright 2025, Spins on Music LLC
