Phoenix Comedy Scene Fresh, Affordable

This article was written by guest author and ASU student, Shanna Wester.

Every Monday night, comedians gather at a dark pub in downtown Phoenix to share their even darker takes on life. Though they draw raucous laughter from the crowd, life as an amateur comedian isn’t always funny.

The group of about 10 amateur comedians convenes at The Turf Restaurant & Pub on First Street. Phoenix resident Ashley Pirouznia, 26, created The Turf’s comedy show in November while also working as a hairdresser, a job she later lost.

Her plight is common in the business. Kon Stamadianos, an 2009 ASU graduate, joked about how his art degree didn’t get him a job, so he’s stuck with comedy. Michael Senn, 28, who works at Whole Foods to supplement his income, says he is thankful to have a job with accommodating hours, but he seems jaded from his experience working with touring headliners.

Recounting an experience watching a comic performing one of his jokes, Senn says his only thought was, “What does he do when I’m not here?” He said joke theft runs rampant in the business, and sometimes comedians will refuse to perform while certain headliners are watching to protect their jokes.

Senn says he once watched a professional making thousands of dollars while he was making a pittance and thought, “He’s done. Why can’t someone who’s still young and still good use this time?”

Thanks to new comedy shows in Phoenix, those comedians are getting their time in front of the mic.

Senn left Phoenix last year to tour and live in Denver for eight months. When he came back, he was shocked by the growth in the comedy scene around Phoenix during the short period. “This is one of the main reasons for it,” he said, gesturing around the busy pub.

Pirouznia says her inspiration for the show came from another Phoenix comedy spot: The Hidden House at Seventh Avenue and Osborn Road. “They have the best comedy night in town,” she says.

The Hidden House show used to run every Wednesday until it broke fire code for packing the crowd in too tight. The venue now draws large crowds at an additional show Thursday nights. The Hidden House only allows comedians to use new material, a rule Senn says keeps comedians fresh and funny.

Outside of Phoenix, Senn named the Tempe Improv as “one of the best comedy clubs in the nation — a really great club.” But while the venue is across from the Tempe campus, tickets for a recent headliner were $25 each, not including a two-drink or two-food item minimum, making a night for two at The Improv cost about $100 — prohibitive for a college student’s tight budget.

In contrast, The Turf’s free admission to the open-mic night and reasonably priced appetizers and entrees make a full meal, drinks and a show for two cost under $40 — a price point that beckons the students less than a block away at the Downtown campus to come support Phoenix comedians.

Contact the reporter at smwester@asu.edu

Tagged as: Ashley Pirouznia, AZ Comedy, Kon Stamadianos, Stand up comedy, Tempe Improv, The Hidden House, The Turf