Steve "the Nuclear Guy" Natarelli opened his "Witness Protection Program Comedy Breakout Tour" at BJ's 19th Hole Sports Bar last Saturday to a packed house ready to drink and laugh.
Opened by popular feature female comic Alyssa A. Cowan, the night was full of suprises and one liners sure to become part of "BJ's" landscape from now on.
Natarelli is a well heeled road comic who has done comedy runs for years, but it wasn't until he landed a full time gig in Idaho Falls that he realized there was an untapped resource here in Southeastern Idaho.
"I'm not your typical milk and cookies comic" Natarelli smirked, "although I can work clean. Its just that there aren't a lot of venues available for comedians in this part of the country." He has made it his mission to bring live comedy to Southeastern Idaho and beyond.
For over a year he has contacted every club or bar from Boise to Burley for the opportunity to both educate and expose the realities of what a successful, working comedy club looks like to their owners.
"The response has been positive and exciting. It's gratifying to know that there are club owners who have been looking for this kind of entertainment, but just didn't know how to begin or who to contact."
Not only does Natarelli manage the rooms he plays in, he is also a producer/booker, meaning he also books the opening acts and features that he wants to play in the area.
"More and more headliners are bringing their own features and openers with them to save on costs. If they are traveling from more than 3 hours away, you have to take into consideration the costs of hotels and transportation, which can eat away at their pay. Sometimes it may be absorbed in the ticket sales, but its a fine line we never want to cross."
"Comedy runs are also important" he continued. "If you have a show in Boise on Thursday and Friday night at 7pm and 10pm, and another show in Idaho Falls on Saturday and Sunday nights at the same times, it makes sense to book the comic. Otherwise, no one is going to want to travel for one show on a Saturday night. So lining up multiple gigs in multiple venues is where the work really pays off."
If the recent show at BJ's is any indication, Natarelli is well on his way to paving the way for other clubs to follow his lead and make live comedy a great time on a weekend. For those who want to add an additional outing to their weekend fun, support the clubs you see advertising live comedy. The more venues he is able to open and the more recognizable comedians are hired to perform, the easier it will be increase the opportunities for up and comers, as well as seasoned professionals.
When asked why he called this particular tour the "Witness Protection Program Comedy Breakout Tour" Natarelli flashed his trademark and grin and said "Is there any other reason why a New Yorker would end up in Idaho?"
Steve the Nuclear Guy will be at DB's Bar at 216 1st St., Idaho Falls, ID on February 24, at 9pm. (208) 529-4070, which includes a dinner from 7-9pm, tickets are $10.
Comments