Paseo Comedy Showcase returns to The Red Rooster

click to enlarge Paseo Comedy Showcase returns to The Red Rooster
Garett Fisbeck
Ryan Drake performs at the Sooner Theatre during Norman Music Festival, Thursday, April 23, 2015.

Heather King has worked with comedy since she was age 15. The Texas native grew up in Kingfisher, where she was active in high school theater. She went on to study theater in college, but comedy has always been her favorite thing.

“I love the ability to make people laugh, to help them have a good time,” King said.

King works for a large, national merchandising company, but she still does comedy whenever and wherever she can. Last year, she even opened for Rob Delaney.

“The Rob Delaney thing came about thanks to OKC Comedy,” King said. “They book national acts, and they try to book local talent to open for those headliners.”

King takes on a slightly different role at Paseo Comedy Showcase. She emcees a night of comedy and introduces the six other comedians on the bill. As part of her emcee gig, she also is responsible for warming up the crowd.

“Hosting can be difficult at times,” King said. “It depends on the crowd; sometimes you’re competing against music or a loud crowd, but not at Red Rooster. They turn the music off, so the show is really about the comedy.”

The comedy showcase will be at The Red Rooster Bar & Grill, 3100 N. Walker Ave.

“It’s my favorite bar,” Drake said. “The owner, Brittany Callison, and I are friends, and when I needed a new venue, we agreed that Red Rooster would be perfect.”

Drake has been performing comedy in various forms, including standup and improv, since 2009. His new album, Drinking Games for One Person, was reviewed by Joshua Boydston in Oklahoma Gazette in February. As part of his training, Drake took improv classes with King, and he describes her as “one of the funniest people [he has] ever met.”

Paseo Comedy Showcase is a monthly event for now, and Drake is responsible for booking comics.

“There is a laundry list of people I want to book,” he said. “We have a ton of talent in Oklahoma City, so much that we’re in talks to do the showcase twice a month.”

Red Rooster is a beer bar, which means low-point beer is available, but the show is still 21 and over.

Callison opened a kitchen in November 2014, so food is also available. It is a smoking venue.

Drake has his own set that night, and King starts her hosting duties with a short set of her own. Dan Skaggs, James Nghiem, Stan Silliman, Andrew Rose and Jerry Ramsey also will perform.

Print headline: Standup spotlight, Paseo Comedy Showcase returns Thursday to The Red Rooster with a growing roster of local talent.

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