Venice Laughs

Al Ernst is the only former professional wrestler who is also a two-time Carnival Cruise Line “Entertainer of The Year.” His latest comedy special is slated for HULU, he is featured on Sirius Comedy Radio, appears in Ted Lasso season 3, and has over 30 TV network and online show credits. Al is a master of comedic story-telling. His non-confrontational humor makes him a corporate convention, country club and gated community favorite. A comedy mentor and teacher in SW Florida, Al is also the “Humorist In Residence” at Faith Lutheran in Sarasota.

Kathy took a comedy class at Venice Theatre in 2016. Since then, she’s performed in theaters, gated communities, clubs & RV parks. Her Florida Comedy Network produces shows & events like the “Comedy Cruise Party.” Also a playwright, Kathy’s “Grandma’s Murder Club” debuts at the Cape Coral Cultural Park Theatre in January.

Originally from New Castle, Pennsylvania, Dan has been performing at comedy clubs, 55+ communities, and private shows throughout Florida. A former golf professional turned comic, Dan hasn’t met a pizza he doesn’t like. Doctors love him!

While happy to retire, Max missed hosting corporate events and writing/conducting training programs. Wanting to do more than golf, she found classes at Venice Theatre, and dove in. She fell in love with doing comedy and has honed her skills through more classes and shows at Florida Studio Theatre, McCurdy’s Comedy Club, and neighborhood venues.

Juanita Lolita’s comedy career began when a coworker signed her up for an open mic night. Within a year she was performing for over 7000 at a conference in Atlanta. Since then, she was voted Tampa’s Creative Loafing Magazine’s “Best of the Bay,” a finalist for “Florida’s Funniest Person,” a finalist in “The World Series of Comedy” Las Vegas, and The Sherri Show on-air-live comedy contest winner this past February. This clean comic has been featured on NBC, ABC and the CTN and opens around the country for Shawn Wayans and recently for Sherri Shepherd at the Birmingham Star Dome. Her Latin and Hillbilly background make her observations of everyday life relatable but unique, and funny!

Seetha The Comic (Seetharaman Radhakrishnan) is an Indian-born standup comedian living in Boynton Beach, FL. His quick and razor-sharp jokes take audiences on a journey through his career, culture and family with wit and self-deprecating charm.

Originally from New York where he taught for 26 years, comedian Greg Schwartz has plenty of experience entertaining tough audiences. Now based in the vibrant comedy scene of Southwest Florida, Greg has quickly made a name for himself in the Sunshine State, where he’s become a favorite at local clubs. With appearances up and down the East Coast at renowned venues such as Broadway Comedy Club, McCurdy’s, and the world-famous Gotham Comedy Club, Greg leaves audiences in stitches.

He has been selected to appear in many festivals, including the prestigious Portland Comedy Festival, was a finalist in the 2021 Hudson Valley Comedy Competition, and has shared the stage with national touring headliners such as Al Ernst, Greg Morton, Tom Cotter, and Adam Ferrara. Get ready to laugh ’til your sides hurt with Greg’s hilarious take on life’s quirks and his unique perspective as a former educator turned stand-up.

Tara Zimmerman is a standup comedian and actress based out of Tampa, FL. She also performs with improv groups in the Tampa Bay area. Tara has always been “FUNNY.” Her comedy is a somewhat Southern mix of observations on everyday life, family, marriage, children, and survival in this messed up world. She began her adventure in comedy 22 years ago at church functions and school fundraisers. Tara now performs at clubs in Florida, the Midwest, Canada and Israel.

A talented musician turned comic, “Harley,” aka Perry Edenburn, has entertained thousands in Branson and Pigeon Forge over 25 years with his antics and down-home wit. He’s performed at The Jim Stafford Theater, The Comedy Jamboree and The Comedy Barn–the award winning, best attended family friendly comedy venue in the country. Now a Florida resident, he’s getting standing ovations throughout the Sunshine State at clubs, gated communities, and private shows. Come fall in love with the fashion challenged but incredibly fun Harley.

“Comedian Harley Worthit is really worth it…while most comedians tell jokes to make you laugh, Harley Worthit makes you laugh just by walking onto the stage!” ~ All Things Branson

“My favorite Branson Comedian is Harley Worthit (Perry Edenburn). The first time I saw him on stage my thought was ‘oh no, another silly, not funny, hillbilly comedian.’ But in no time at all I was laughing until I could Harley breathe! I love this guy onstage and off.” ~ Velma on 1Branson.com “Best Comedian” thread

Mary Ellen DePetrillo is a comedian known for her clean, sharp storytelling and energetic performances that leave audiences in stitches. With Italian roots and a Rhode Island accent, she blends Joan Rivers’ wit with Joyce Meyer’s insight, adding warmth and sharpness to her humor. An award-winning speaker with extensive experience from comedy clubs to churches and corporate events to cruise ships, Mary Ellen consistently delivers. Her style is inventive, genuine, and naturally sophisticated. Mary Ellen is simply – hilarious.

Who could have predicted that an Atlanta-born and raised Southerner would start a new career in comedy at age 83? Now 84 years old and living in Longboat Key, Florida, Cliff is a graduate of McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre and Humor Institute in Sarasota. He entered the Third Round at Visani’s Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theatre, placing First! This qualified Cliff for the Final Round in September 2023. After narrowing the field to three, the audience voted him runner up. Cliff out punch-lined at least 40 more seasoned and younger stand-ups in his first year on the stage.

Before comedy, he spent four years in the U.S. Navy; received a B.S. from Georgia State University, Atlanta; and graduated from the Georgia School of Banking and the North Texas Farrier School of Minerals Wells, Texas. He is married, has eight blended grandchildren and three great-grandchildren! You’d think with all the degrees, he could have coasted quietly in retirement. Not our Cliff. Only one year into it and he’s already award-winning. After getting bored with retired-type things, Cliff decided he would try comedy because he had not tried that yet. He is available to perform at neighborhood and condo communities, church gatherings, senior centers, nursing homes, lodges, corporate functions, and private parties – small or large. With a network of headliner comedian friends, Cliff can arrange shows for major events! His humor is rated appropriate for all audiences, too.

Formerly from Philadelphia, Ruth Weisberg is a former radio/TV news and talk show personality. Fashionably old fashioned, “Miss Ruth” now lives in Sarasota year-round modeling, performing comedy, and hosting events.

SCOTT NOVOTNY is a former SNL writer. He was tapped for one of the first DRYBARCOMEDY.COM online specials, works at clubs, conventions, gated communities and theatres solo and as part of the “Kick the Bucket List: The World According To AARP” group. Scott also teaches improv and stand-up at McCurdy’s Comedy Club in Sarasota. A master of brain-candy, spur-of-the-moment-physical comedy with a touch of Tik Tok, Scott borders on Red Skelton meeting Robin Williams.