The 2016 edition of the Aspen Laff Festival comes to the Wheeler Opera House this week.
What do Tina Fey, Amy Pohler, Rachel Dratch, Dan Aykroyd, Horatio Sanz and Jason Sudeikis have in common?
If you said they have all been Saturday Night Live cast members, you are correct. But even before that, they were part of The Second City Improv Group.
The Chicago-based Second City Improv group has put out other big names like Steve Carrell, Stephen Colbert, Tim Meadows and Keegan-Michael Key.
Second City is just one of many comedy acts on the Laff Fest Lineup.
“I wanted a bit of something for everyone," says Wheeler executive director GenaBuhler says the key to picking comedians is to make sure it is by committee.
Buhler picked one of her current favorite funny people.
“Some of Pete Holmes’ stuff about Facebook and social media cracks me up. He has so much stuff about the internet and social awareness and changes that have happened.”
Steve Byrne and Heather McDonald round out the Aspen Laff Festival lineup. McDonald is the only solo female performer in the group.
Buhler says part of her goal this year was making sure comedians were on board with community engagement. You might see a performer downtown.
"It’s really important that they understand that they’re coming in for a festival. For a lot of comedians, a festival is an exciting element. It’s not just them on stage. It’s isn’t just the one-and-done element.”
The full performances start tomorrow night with The Second City Improv Group. Pete Holmes and Steve Byrne perform on Saturday to close out the festival.
