Jane Matenaer Opens Comedy Tonight Season at Theatre Guild

RACINE, WI—October 1, 2009—A fifth season of Comedy Tonight--four Saturday evenings of professional comedy--gets started on November 7 with popular radio personality Jane Matenaer debuting her new original work, “Morgue Lady,” at 8:00 p.m. at the Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Avenue (Highway 38).

Here is the 2009-2010 Comedy Tonight season:
• Jane Matenaer in “Morgue Lady”—November 7, 8 p.m.
Jane Matenaer is a familiar voice to radio listeners across southeastern Wisconsin. She’s been performing in plays since childhood and recently had stage roles in “Cheese Louise” and “The Vagina Monologues.” Her latest appearance at RTG was in the two-person comedy she co-wrote, “Trying to Live . . .Happily Ever After.” In “Morgue Lady,” she relates comic tales of growing up in a funeral home, the daughter of an undertaker.

• Fred Klett--January 9, 8 p.m.
If you listen to Dave and Carole’s morning show on WKLH –FM 96.5, chances are you’re a fan of funnyman Fred Klett. His comedy has been seen on TV (NBC’s “Friday Night Videos,” A&E’s “Comedy on the Road,” Comedy Channel); in clubs throughout the US; at concerts with George Benson, Jerry Seinfeld, Ricky Skaggs, Smokey Robinson and Kansas; in special shows like “Benefit for the Unemployed with Jay Leno”; on countless cruise ships (17 of them in 2009 alone); and on the Comedy Tonight stage in 2007.

• Dobie Maxwell with Steve DeClark—February 20, 8 p.m.
One of the top touring comedians in North America, Dobie Maxwell, aka Mr. Lucky, has been on the road since 1985. Bizarre luck and horrendous timing have followed him since birth and he’s built a career on it. A comic’s comic, he’s worked with Robin Williams, Tim Allen, Chris Rock, Dennis Miller, Drew Carey, Jeff Foxworthy, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and many others. Steve DeClark, a stand-up comedian turned therapist, collaborated with Jane Matenaer in “Trying to Live . . . Happily Ever After.” His TV spots include “America’s Funniest People” and “Comedy Central – Stand Up.”

• ComedySportz—March 27, 8 p.m.
It’s clever and wacky, fast paced and fun. It’s entertainment that’s funny enough for bachelor parties and clean enough for church groups. It’s improvisational comedy played as a sport. Two teams battle for laughs and points as they make up scenes, games and songs on the spot. A referee keeps it moving and calls fouls. The audience votes for the winners. Always fresh and lively, each performance of ComedySportz is unique, as different players and combinations draw from a vast repertoire of over 100 improvisational games.

The price for the four-part comedy series is $60 for adults, $50 for seniors and students. Tickets purchased individually cost $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and students. The Racine Theatre Guild is a community theatre offering a wide variety of entertainment and enrichment opportunities. The box office (2519 Northwestern Avenue) is open from 12 to 6 p.m. weekdays. For reservations and information, call 262-633-4218 or go online to www.racinetheatre.org.

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