Archives: Speakers

With over 3,500 career performances, Andy Beningo has established himself as one of the most in demand comedians working today. Hailed for his clean and “every man” style, Andy has been named one of the 40 Best Up and Coming Comedians in the country, as well as “Best Comedian” by both the Detroit Metro Times and Detroit Hour magazine. Andy has appeared on AXS TV’s Gotham Comedy Live, CMT’s Next Big Comic, and on Drybar Comedy- where his special, ‘Adorable Tough Guy’ generated over six million views on social media. Andy has been heard on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom radio show, and was a special guest on Larry the Cable Guy’s ‘Weekly Round Up’ on Sirius XM radio. His first comedy album, ‘Quiet Coyote’ regularly plays on Laugh USA. His rare ability to find humor in subjects like growing up the middle child, his short lived career as a middle school teacher and our society’s obsession with technology has made him a crowd favorite in audiences worldwide.

Margaret Edwartowski and Nancy Hayden (aka Bottle of Red) met at The Second City Detroit where they were both mainstage cast performers. Upon realizing they were essentially the same person, the two quickly became besties. Soon after, Margaret and Nancy, along with their pal Josh Funk, founded the Planet Ant Improv Colony in 2000 and “Improv Mondays at the Ant” were born. 

 

For some reason it never occurred to them to create a two-person troupe until one fateful night in 2006 when a team didn’t show up at Planet Ant and Hayden & Edwartowski hastily formed a duo, thought of a name that centered less around their copious red wine consumption and more around their *ahem* not-so-natural hair color, and filled in for the no-shows. (thanks, flakes!)

 

They also created a form that was half of the legendary Weirdass and half Goon River Anthology. They called it the Goon Ass. And it went well!

Bottle of Red was born, and the duo went on to play a sold-out improv run at Planet Ant as well as writing and performing their legendary sketch show ‘Uncorked,’ which ran at the Ant in the summer of 2007.

 

Since then, they’ve played at many super fun festivals including DIF and the Detroit Women of Comedy Festival. 

They still love to play the Goon Ass and you can catch them doing just that monthly at Go Comedy Theater in Ferndale.

Peggy Beattie is a fresh, new, but old comedian from the northern suburbs of Detroit. She’s not afraid to talk about the ridiculousness of the world today and her own version of crazy. Peggy has emceed at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle and recently made it to the finals at Mark Ridleys, Detroit to LA contest-Judges choice! She has performed in shows all across MI from One Night Stan’s, to Detroit House of Comedy. Peggy also opened for the hilarious, “Last Comic Standing” finalist, Rocky Laporte at Traverse City Comedy Club.

Nick Leydorf is a fun-loving, Michigan comedian with a quick wit and a third nipple. When he’s not on stage, you can find Nick in his office being a lawyer, paying off his student loans. Described as “funny, adorable, and non-threatening” by one writer, Nick talks about his unrelatable profession in such a relatable way that audiences can’t help but laugh.

 

So far, Nick has performed in festivals around the country including Cleveland Comedy Festival, Crossroads Comedy Festival, Gilda’s LaughFest, the Detroit Comedy Festival, the Savage Henry Comedy Festival, Big Time Garbage Festival, What a Joke Comedy Festival, Stoop Fest and the Elsie Dairy Festival. Okay, the last one was because Whitesnake had to cancel.

“Yes, that is my real name.”

 

Sharp, sarcastic and just plain silly, Sheila has performed at virtually every comedy club in and around the Midwest including Mark Ridleys Comedy Castle, One Night Stands, to McCurdy’s Comedy in Sarasota, Florida and over the bridge to Canada. So yes, an international sensation! She has shared the stage with the likes of Bobby Collins, Rob Little, Derick Richards and was also featured on NBC’s “So you think you’re funny?” A definite crowd pleaser. She is also happy to give back; so you can count on Sheila to do her part for various benefits.

 

If you ask Melissa Hager to describe herself, she will tell you she is just a farm girl from Frankenmuth, Michigan. She is a comedian, a producer, a radio and TV personality, and a friend to all. She has quickly risen in the ranks of the comedy community. She talks about living in Christmastown, USA (Frankenmuth, MI). Her likeability and original approach to stand up has made her a fan favorite. She has a popular Youtube channel (MelissaHagerTV), over 71 thousand followers on TikTok, and a strong following as a radio personality in Michigan. People don’t just like Melissa. They adore her! Melissa spends a large portion of her life producing, promoting and performing at The Comedy Series, which she founded in 2016. Through her dedication and hard work, her shows have become some of the most popular in the state of Michigan. It keeps her busy, provides venues for herself and other comedians, and it provides laughter throughout the region. She is simply trying to make you laugh. Sometimes, it’s as simple as that… as simple as a farm girl from a small town with a big heart and comedy in her soul

Embracing the belief that whine gets  better with age, Kathy Ryan shares the perils of life and dating in the age of social security, Medicare and living wills.