The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

Vt. Comedy Club chooses new champ

?Being the best comedian in Vermont is like being the best reader in West Virginia,? comedian Phil Davidson jokingly said during the Vermont?s Funniest Comedian contest at Club Metronome Saturday night. The club drew in over 200 people as the final 12 contestants competed in nine-minute acts. The contestants were judged on timing, delivery, creativity and audience reaction. ?We go out of our way to make the contest extremely fair,? Nathan Hartswick, founder of the Vermont Comedy Club, said. ?We bring in a new set of very qualified judges for each round, treat every competitor equally and draw the performance order at random 30 minutes before each show.? Two of the judges for the finals, Nick Brazao and Robyn Kaszor, work closely with the Just For Laughs comedy festival as associate producer and manager of programming, respectively, while judge Gary Marino has done extensive work in comedic television, radio and music. Each of the acts covered a variety of topics from drugs and relationships to Vermont and Canadian stereotypes. Each performer was vastly different, with some performers making their comedy more musical, like comedian Sami Schweaber, who gave the audience a behind-the-scenes look into the mind of a slightly disgruntled preschool teacher.?I liked the Voldemort marriage counselor,? first-year Kat Dooman said, in reference to Justin Rowe?s interpretation of a disintegrating marriage between Sean Connery and Batman. ?The impressions were spot on.?At the end of the night, winners were announced. Phil Davidson was the Grand Prize Winner, with Justin Rowe coming in second, Adam Benay in third, Kyle Gagnon in fourth and Carmen Lagala in fifth. Each of the finalists had highly distinctive acts. Davidson?s focus ranged from his Canadian rescue dog to the faults of Kmart, while Rowe played guitar and performed distinct impressions and Benay talked about the Vermont culture, highlighted by an Obama impression.Gagnon won the audience over with his stories on drug use in cemeteries and Carmen had a ranged focus, from the downside of bacon scented candles?there isn?t actually any bacon?to a topic especially relatable to UVM students: finding a job with your degree.?This year we had $4,000 in cash and prizes to give away. Some were just for fun- a ski weekend at Killington or lunch at Leunig?s Bistro, for instance,? Hartswick said. ?But many were also designed to further the comedians? professional careers.? ?Most importantly, our contest gives local comedians exposure ? to new audiences, yes, but also to industry judges who may be interested in booking them in places besides Vermont,? he said.The Vermont Comedy Club produces shows across New England. They have featured acts such as Todd Barry (Chappelle?s Show, Comedy Central), Doug Stanhope (Louie, The Man Show) and Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live, Portlandia). With the contest in its second year, the producers, Natalie Miller and Nathan Hartswick, are hoping to keep the club and contest going strong.

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Vt. Comedy Club chooses new champ