Bonnaroo Thursday: Comedy Theater feat. Janeane Garofalo

One of the major challenges of a summer festival in the middle of Tennessee is finding a place to escape the heat. On Thursday we learned quickly where the cool spots are, like the Silent Disco with its constant mist cloud, and a magical spot called the Bonnaroo Comedy Theater. The lines had been long all day so when I ducked inside I knew there must be something good going on. What I found was an entire Big-Top style theater with seating for hundreds of guests.

Comedian Mike Birbiglia  was opening up for Janeane Garofalo, and he was getting some big laughs with his schtick about Obama and Hillary playing basketball (she's a pretty good player, got some skills, so isn't it unfair she ends up in a one-on-one vs. Michael Jordan?).

After watching Birbiglia struggle a bit with the ambient Bonnaroo noise going on outside (Superdrag had just taken the stage) Janeane Garofalo decided to begin her set with a run through the audience. She ended up down at the front of the stage and delivered the first part of her act "amongst the people." She got major laughs with her stories of the 'joys' of sobriety, and something about a 'pump-n-dump' which need not be explained here.

The Bonnaroo comedians aren't messing around either - each one is scheduled for multiple sets throughout the weekend, so everybody has an opportunity to get in on the laughs.

Comments

[Salley Morton]

Sorry jeanne Garafolo is not funny very 3rd rate and bitter--we know what she does with her dog and peanut butter!!!