Who doesn’t love to laugh?
From improv to stand-up comedy and comedy theater, central and northwest Arkansas boasts a few spots to cackle, guffaw, chuckle and crack up.
Here are our picks:
- Loony Bin Comedy Club, 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock: Arkansas’ only comedy nightclub has live stand-up shows, including nationally-recognized comics seen on Comedy Central, Showtime and “The Tonight Show.” There is typically a revolving door of comics every week, including JR Brow this week. Enjoy a full bar and hot grub during the show. Admission is $10. For info: www.loonybincomedy.com.
- The Joint, 301 Main St., North Little Rock: Attached to the coffee shop/bar is a beautiful new 105-seat cabaret theater, which entertains a host of comedic performances throughout the week. On Wednesday nights, The Joint Venture, its hilarious comedy improv company, entertains at 8 p.m. for just a $5 cover charge, while every Friday and Saturday, The Joint features its resident professional comedy company, world-class trio of actors and musicians known as The Main Thing who are in the middle of their latest production “Winter Sucks!.” It will be wrapping up March 8. Tickets are $20 each and can purchased by calling the theater box office at (501) 372-0205, or stopping by the theater.
- Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, 6323 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock: Murry’s Dinner Playhouse is a unique spot where the crowd can enjoy a great buffet dinner with professional theatre that offers a little comic relief. It’s current production “Weekend Comedy” will be running until March 8. Shows run evenings Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 7:35 p.m., afternoons on Sunday and 12:45 p.m. Wednesday (Wednesday matinees occur only on the first, second, and third Wednesdays of each new production), and 6:45 p.m. on Sundays. Its next production is “The Van-Dells,” running March 11-12. Call (501) 562-3131 for reservations. See the full schedule for the rest of the year here. For info: www.murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.
- The Weekend Theater, 1001 W. 7th St., Little Rock: This cool theater, located across the street from one of our favorite spots, Vino’s Brewpub, offers a dose comedy throughout. Tonight (Feb. 24), there will be a one-night-only showing of “Go, Granny D!” featuring off-Broadway actress Barbara Bates Smith and musician Jeff Sebens who will bring the spirit and message of Doris “Granny D” Haddock back to Little Rock. The national tour’s stop tonight will get started at 7:30 p.m. with a post-performance Q&A. Admission is $10. Get more information and reserve your tickets here.
- Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville: As one of the only major performing arts centers in northwest Arkansas, a variety of shows make their way to the Walton Arts Center stage– from theatrical productions to concerts to comedic performances and more. This spring, three legendary comedians will make a stop at the downtown Fayetteville staple. On Thursday, April 10, Jim Belushi— who starred in the ABC hit comedy “According to Jim” and is an alumnus of “Saturday Night Live” and Chicago’s famed Second City– will make a stop at WAC with an improvised sketch comedy show featuring members of the Board of Comedy. A couple of days later, Sinbad, who has kept audiences laughing for two decades in television, notable 1990s films and now, in standup, will take to the stage on Saturday, April 12. In June, no-holds-barred funnyman Ron White of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour will return to WAC with his unique brand of humor. And if you’re interested in meeting the Grammy-nominated comedian, call (479) 443-5600 to reserve a special VIP package. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Find more places to laugh here.