GetOut Magazine

The Comedy Spot moves out of supper club, into its own place in downtown Scottsdale
By KELLY WILSON
Get Out
June 5, 2003

In an effort to shine a spotlight on local comedians, East Valley comic Sean Dillingham is moving his act to downtown Scottsdale after a nearly two-year run at north Scottsdales Farrellis Cinema Supper Club.

Dillingham created the Comedy Spot a concept that turned the restaurant and movie theater into a venue where local and lesser-known touring comedians could perform on Friday and Saturday nights.

We hit in a great area that was really looking for something, says Dillingham, 35, of Mesa. People were stunned that it was so successful. Most comedy nights pop up like karaoke nights. Theyre here and then theyre gone.

Attracting people to 9:30 p.m. shows at Farrelli's was a tough sell, and Dillingham faces another challenge when his new club, the Comedy Spot, opens this weekend in a former jazz venue adjacent to the Cajun House.

A lot of people have said, I cant believe youre going to try and open a comedy club, Dillingham says. Theres this club in Tempe, man. It seats 450. Its huge. Why are you going to open another comedy club?

I dont know. Why does Wendys and Burger King open another burger joint when theres already a McDonalds? Why does Pepsi come along? Theres already a Coke. Ive seen this scene support six comedy clubs, so you cant tell me it wont support two.

Dillingham is referring to Tempe Improv, which showcases big-name comedians such as Richard Jeni, Bill Bellamy, Caroline Rhea and Pauly Shore. But Dillingham, who plans to host comedians such as Spike & Hammer, Doug Stanhope and Bruce Baum at his venue, says hes not trying to challenge the Improv.

I really want to utilize a lot of the local Arizona talent because theres good talent here, he says. This is really going to be a place where Arizona talent can be showcased. . .

I want to offer something that all the comedians up-and-coming to established can have a place to hang out. Thats what it was like when I started out. Come to a show, be in a show or at least just hang out. Network and talk to each other.

The Comedy Spot, which can hold up to 100 people, is decorated with photos of comics such as Traci Skeene, Denny Johnston and Scott Kennedy, as well as Animal House, Dumb & Dumber and Austin Powers movie posters.

Id been to a comedy show here years ago and saw the room and loved it, Dillingham says. I wanted (the Comedy Spot) to graduate beyond just Friday and Saturday at 9:30. I wanted to have a real comedy club . . . I look around and Im like, This feels like a real comedy club. This is what 99 percent of all the clubs in L.A. look like.

Phoenix comedian Travis Thurman says he thinks the club will do well because its in a prime location. The demographics on where everyone is on a Friday and Saturday night here it is, says Thurman, 33.

You come to this area and its like Mardi Gras, Dillingham adds.

Although the club is only open on weekend nights, Dillingham says he eventually plans to hold workshops by comedy troupes, such as Second City and the Groundlings, and offer a Latinos-only night, a ladies night and possibly even a gay comedy night. The venue also may offer a comedy traffic school where comedian instructors approach the material in an amusing manner.

The reins are off me, Dillingham says. The gloves are off. To me its no holds barred. I dont have somebody approving or disapproving the things that I want to do.

Its a 100 percent creative, artistic endeavor right now. I walk in here and I still look around dumbfounded.

The Comedy Spot

Where: 7117 E. Third Ave., Scottsdale
Info: or www.thecomedyspot.net