Pennington has book(ing) on small-town entertaining"Comic Capers" June 29, 2000 Carol Pennington has a simple reason why she bought a comedy-booking agency. "I should be put away. I'm insane," she says. But there are other reasons for the head of Hysterical Management. Having worked as a stand-up comic, Pennington saw how many things could be mishandled by clubs. "I could see what was wrong with the clubs, but I had no ability to do anything," she says. "Now I have more control over the venues." The other reason for cutting back on her stage work is her two kids: "I can work out of a home office and be with my kids." The Lakewood resident says she still is on stage 40-45 weeks a year, but on weekends, so it will not take time away from her kids. She works at clubs and colleges throughout the United States and launched her stand-up career at Hilarities. Though most of the time it has gone smoothly, Pennington can recall scary nights. "There were three times where I had to drop and roll," she says. Pennington has had her share of unusual spots seeking comedy acts: "There was a drive-in in Indiana that wanted to do a show. I asked where the people perform and they said by the popcorn stand. They said people would sit in their cars and flash their lights when they liked a joke. I told them there was no budget big enough for that." She says she dropped one club after a manager in North Carolina asked her not to book black or Jewish comics. "I will not tolerate any kind of prejudice," she says. After the comedy boom of the 1980s, Pennington says things have settled down. "It's not a fad anymore. The ones that have weathered the storm are the true artists," she says. Comedy, Pennington says, is something that gets in a person's blood: "Most people are not going to get famous. But you can make a decent living if you're good. I couldn't do anything else." Growing up, Pennington admired what she calls the divas of comedy — Bette Midler, Lucille Ball, Gilda Radner and Carol Burnett. "But they weren't standup," Pennington says. "There's a Cleveland local guy — Charlie Weiner — who is every bit as talented as Jim Carrey. He's got every element and can go up onstage and do two hours unscripted. He's just not as known." Pennington has 1,000 comics available on her roster with 28 venues that stretch from Baltimore to Alaska. She concentrates on the small-town venues. "They're so much fun," she says. "The people are sweet and they're just dying to be entertained." At major comedy clubs, she adds, people have high expectations. "In small towns, people are just there to have a good time. "I also book a lot of dead animal lodges," Pennington adds. "The Eagles, the Elks the Moose. If there is a dead animal on the wall you're close to a Hysterical gig."
ON STAGE: Gary Valentine, who has appeared on "King of Queens," headlines through Sunday at the Cleveland Improv. Comic/hypnotist J. Medicine Hat headlines through Saturday at Hilarities in Cuyahoga Falls. Rodney Bengston, an editor in Sun Newspapers' Metro office, covers Northeast Ohio's comedy scene. © 2000 Sun Newspapers |