The Arts / Performance

Tour brings Chicago comedians to town

By David Burke | Thursday, November 16, 2006 | () comments

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Comedian Vince Carone is among the acts in the “Quad-City Comedy Tour,” Saturday night in Davenport.

Forget about the two-plus hour drive, the suburban traffic jams and taking out a loan to pay the downtown parking fees.

Five comics from Chicago will be making their way to Davenport on Saturday night for the “Quad-City Comedy Tour.”

The tour is produced by Nick Lullo, a comedian who wants to give more chances to perform to his fellow funnymen. He’s also scheduled dates in Dubuque, Iowa, and hopes to branch into Indiana and Michigan.

“As a comedian, I see the comics go out to New York or L.A. and try to pursue other opportunities,” he said. “I feel there are opportunities here in the Midwest, and if done properly, comedians can get stage time nearly every week of the year — not just in Chicago, but other Midwest states.”

The first performance will be in the Nighswander Theatre, in the Annie Wittenmyer Complex.

Lullo said performing in a theater, versus a comedy club bar, was important.

“The crowds are a little more attentive to the comedian, rather than sports games (on TV) in the back of the bar,” he said. “It’s more of a quality atmosphere.”

Lullo said the night is rated PG to PG-13. He will be the host and introduce the four other comics on the bill:

n Vince Carone, who Lullo called an “in-your-face comic” that he compared to Dane Cook.

“His setup and punch(lines) are more of his attitude than just words,” Lullo said.

n Jim Flannigan, who Lullo describes as more of a traditional comic.

“He pretty much tells his life story in that format — talks about family situation, things along those lines,” Lullo said.

n Jay Harris, an observational comic with a monotone delivery.

n Dustin White, an Indiana comic.

“He’s got that tough-guy Midwest image, but he really gets in your face,” Lullo said. “He offers a sarcastic tone to his jokes.”

Lullo said his own style is clean, and fast-paced.

“I try to maximize the jokes I can do in a minute,” said Lullo, a two-year comedy veteran who went through training at Chicago’s Second City.

David Burke can be contacted at (563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com.