Comedy clubs are open.
We don’t mean some clubs are open. We mean—finally—all comedy clubs are open (for now, anyway. Let’s be positive and enjoy it, shall we?)
Side Splitters, Snappers, Tampa Improv and Coconuts all opened their doors for libations and laughter months ago. But over the weekend, McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre in Sarasota, a local staple for more than 30 years, opened back up with local favorites Helen Keaney and Carmen Ciricillo. That puts all comedy club stages up and running at the same time, and that hasn’t happened since… well, you know.
We spoke with the club’s owner and namesake, Les McCurdy, about opening for business and what he expects at his business—located at 1923 Ringling Blvd. in Sarasota—going forward.
You’re the last club in the area to open its doors. Why did you stay closed so long, and why did you choose now to reopen?
We saw no reason to open in September or October, as they are normally slow months for us with bad weather. We decided to wait until November, watch the infection numbers and counsel with the other top comedy venues in the U.S. to see how best to open. We always err on the side of safety for our staff and community.
How did you spend the downtime?
I was very politically active under the radar. Not for any particular party, but for the best way to handle this pandemic challenge. Did some on-line shows, and shows for on-duty hospital staff. I also played golf with great friends, got back into fishing and caught a nice snook on my 65th birthday recently. And I always adore hanging out with (spouse) Pam, and spent a lot of time with my grandson who is our joy!
You’re making safety-related changes to how you operate (only selling tables, no walk-up sales, strict 80-minute showtimes and you installed an air purifier). Once the lights go down and the comedians hit the stage, do you think the stand-up part will be “business as usual?”
Yep!
McCurdy’s has been a staple in your community for decades. You’ve had thousands of performers on your stages and dealt with anything that might happen at a show. Then 2020 hit. How did your experience help you navigate something you’ve never encountered before?
We lost 25-30% of our business between 2008 to 2014 from the recession, and we’ve always been very conservative with our spending and saving. So we are ready for downtimes which always come, and also ready to take advantage of good times, which also always come.
Over the years, you’ve developed strong personal relationships with your performers. Some have graduated from your comedy classes, and others have been regulars for most of their career. Have you kept in touch with some of them during the pandemic? How are they doing, and how do they feel about coming back?
Ninety percent are ready to perform. For me and a lot of my peers, we have been performing for more than three decades! This is the first time in 35 years that I have gone eight months without performing. Usually in that time period I’ve done 150 to 200 shows. Most of us are aching to perform.
Aside from the fun and camaraderie in stand-up comedy, running a club is hard work. From a business standpoint, what’s the strategy for making it work when it might take a little time to get totally back to normal?
Right now, I really don’t know if we will be filling up three shows at 50% capacity, or adding shows, or canceling shows. Most of the other really top-notch comedy clubs that have opened in the past four to eight weeks are getting enough attendance to justify staying open, so that is hopeful.
But we feel strongly that everyone must do what they feel is best for them in this situation, and we respect that. For those who do feel comfortable coming out for a show, we will do everything in our power to provide the safest environment we can while also providing the same first-class comedy entertainment that they expect. That is what we do anyway.
Comedy has been a big part of your life. What have you missed about it the most, and how do you feel about getting back to business?
I love doing it. Love hearing the responses of the patrons. Love the community of comedy and laughter. When wonderful artists are able to perform for as many people as desire to gather to enjoy it, we will know we are back again.
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This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 2, 2020.
