Zoolarious 7 | Comedy Preview

There’s one thing comedian Brad Stewart wants you to know: Sunday is comedy night in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Stewart, who came back to Nebraska after a 16-year stint in the Los Angeles comedy scene and Joan Rivers guest, knows what a burgeoning comedy scene looks like. Sure, Lincoln will never be L.A. But if Omaha can have two comedy clubs and its own comedy festival, why can’t Lincoln start something, too?

Lincoln does have its share of hard-working folks doing comedy. But those shows have been inconsistent, or centered around open-mic formats that are harder to draw crowds to. Stewart says he believes that to build something, you need consistency.

Enter Zoolarious.

Together with local comedian Grant Parsons, Stewart created Zoolarious, a recurring Sunday night comedy show at the Zoo Bar that started in May. These two know what they are doing. The intimate setting at the Zoo Bar has been drawing the kind of involved, enthusiastic crowds typically reserved for Lincoln’s musicians.

Zoolarious isn’t just a bunch of first-time comics, either. While those shows have a time and a place, they can be a bit rough for the comic and the audience alike. Stewart has been in the business for nearly two decades, and Parsons has performed on his own cross-country tour. While locals make up most of the performers, Stewart’s national connections have brought in some high-caliber touring acts. Earlier this month, L.A. comedian Matt Champagne was featured, a stand-up veteran who’s appeared on shows like The Middle and Monk.

In addition to hosts Stewart and Parsons, the lineup this week includes a slew of experienced local comics. No long silences or dad jokes here, these comedians know to work a room.

The lineup this week is includes Casey Crawford, JC Morgan, Joey Zimmerman and Austin Anderson. 

They aren’t the office joker. They’re experienced, they’re professional, and most importantly, they’ll leave you wanting more.

Catch Zoolarious Sunday at 8 p.m. at the Zoo Bar. What else would you be doing? It’s comedy night.