Change is the theme of the day

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on January 23rd, 2009

From the Miami Herald comes this, on the occasion of that town playing host to the South Beach Comedy Festival:

Admit it. When you hear the words “comedy festival” you think stand-up comedy.

And that’s OK. Over the years, your assumption would have been right.

But since change is the theme of the day, it should come as no surprise that the fourth annual South Beach Comedy Festival, which runs through Saturday, is breaking tradition in terms of how it presents the funny.

Anyone else feel a chill go up the spine upon reading the introductory clause in paragraph three?

Change? The theme of the day? What kind of change do you have in mind?

There’s a clue in this, from Fest Director Raul Mateo:

“There will be traditional stand-up comics. They will probably always make up a majority of the acts,” says Raul Mateo, festival director. “But this year we have people who are not traditional comedians doing shows. We have comedy theater from a well-known playwright. We have variety shows. And we have shows in Spanish to be more inclusive with the Spanish-speaking community.

Now go back and read the part that’s in bold using Eeyore’s voice.

Translation: I guess we’ll always be stuck with standup comics.

Every festival director for the past six or seven years has said this or a variation of this.

So, admit it: When you hear the words “comedy festival,” you think standup comedy. Well, shame on you.

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