Comedy fans are in for a special treat this weekend as three renowned comedians head to Krazy Kup for a show that is sure to be remembered for years to come.
Erica Rhodes, Donnie Stopa and Jay Legend have all agreed to perform at Krack Me Up Clean Comedy Night at the coffee house Saturday in a show that will have jokes for attendees of all ages.
“Donnie Stopa and I have been talking for well over a year about a venue that is up close and personal and a lot different than the big open stage, which the major comedians like Erica Rhodes are accustomed to playing,” Frank Trunzo, owner of Krazy Kup, said. “We have a reputation of Krazy Kup being up close and personal and having a really cool stage that’s blended with the audience. The word has gotten out and the comedians Donnie works with have heard about it and want to come and try. Erica is playing big venues, thousands and thousands of people per show, and this was an open date in-between. I’m really thrilled we were able to get someone of notoriety like Erica and I think this is going to be a great show.”
Headliner Rhodes will be a familiar face for many in the crowd. She has appeared on ABC’s Modern Family, HBO’s Veep, Fox’s New Girl and IFC’s Comedy Bang Bang. She was a regular panelist on Comedy Central’s @midnight and Fox’s Punchline. Her standup TV appearances include NBC’s Bring the Funny and Last Call with Carson Daly, the CW’s Howie Mandel Comedy Extravaganza, SeeSo’s The Guest List, Hulu’s Coming to the Stage and AXS’ Live at Gotham.
Her first album “Sad Lemon” hit number one on iTunes comedy charts and her first one-hour comedy special La Vie en Rhodes was shot as part of the Tribeca Drive-In Fest (at Pasadena’s famous Rose Bowl) and is now available on Amazon, On Demand, and iTunes. She has also performed at a variety of festivals across the country.
Stopa is known for his work on “Apple Music,” “The Daren Streblow Comedy Show” and he’s appeared on ROKU’s “Creative Motion Network,” as well as with Michael Jr., and he is an active member of the “Christian Comedy Association.”
Legend is a St. Petersburg comedian that has performed all over the area including at the Bad Karma Comedy Show, the End of Summer Comedy Jam Barbecue Edition, at The Grind Stand Up Comedy Showcase as well as many other comedy showcases throughout Tampa Bay.
The comedy night is just one example of the diverse and high quality entertainment Krazy Kup has been bringing for years to the community. From its open mic nights to concerts for up-and-coming artists that have now graced stages worldwide, on top of its improv, bluegrass and trivia nights, there’s no shortage of quality performances in the coffee house loft. Trunzo said Plant City is changing and businesses all over the community are stepping up their game to bring top-tier events and experiences to town.
“I think a lot of people come with the attitude that ‘Oh it’s just Plant City,’ but that’s just wrong,” Trunzo said. “Plant City has some spectacular things, we have some of the most beautiful Christmas celebrations around, we have events that draw people downtown every single month. People should be saying ‘Oh it’s Plant City!’ because Plant City does some amazing stuff. I want to see Plant City get the reputation it deserves. We are just a skip and a hop away from being a tourist stop, not just during the festival, we are becoming avant-guard. We are eclectic and this is a flowering and blooming community in all shapes and forms. I think you’re lucky to get in here. Look at these businesses that are opening, this is becoming an amazing place to be for people of all walks of life and backgrounds. And our events are going to reflect that. We bring the best because that’s what Plant City deserves.”
The Krack Me Up Clean Comedy Night will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 24. Tickets are $15 and can be picked up on eventbrite.com — a link can be found at the event’s Facebook page — or at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd.