Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle

{{Infobox venue

| name = Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle

| image = 300px

| image_caption = Comedy Castle in Royal Oak, MI

| address = 310 S. Troy Street

| location = Royal Oak, Michigan

| type = comedy club

| opened = 1979

| owner = Mark Ridley

| seating_capacity = 400

| coordinates = {{coord|42.4877|-83.1420|display=inline,title}}

| website = {{URL|http://www.comedycastle.com}}

}}

Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle is a comedy club located in Metro Detroit, at 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak, Michigan 48067.

History

Mark Ridley first opened the Comedy Castle on January 4, 1979, in the basement of a Bloomfield Hills, Michigan restaurant. Ridley created the three comic set (emcee, feature performer, and headliner) to better organize shows and stage time each night after witnessing an endless line of performers at Los Angeles clubs like The Improv and The Comedy Store, making Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle one of the first clubs in the nation to do so.[http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/detroitcomedy0140.aspx/ Metromode Media], King of Comedy. During the first 11 years of the club’s existence, it changed locations six times. In 1990, The Comedy Castle established its permanent 400-seat location in Royal Oak. It is the oldest operating comedy club in Michigan.[http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/October-2014/King-of-the-Castle/ Hour Detroit], Ridley History.

Philanthropy

Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle hosts several charitable events for a small fee, allowing organizations to price tickets accordingly for their fundraising. Each year, however, the Comedy Castle donates the room, food from {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150130015314/http://www.gardenfreshsalsa.com/?page_id=596 Garden Fresh Salsa]}}, and underwrites performances along with Michigan Financial Companies for The Salvation Army Bed and Bread Club,[http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/oakland-county/comedy-for-a-cause-to-benefit-salvation-army-at-mark-ridleys-comedy-castle CBS Detroit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235413/http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/oakland-county/comedy-for-a-cause-to-benefit-salvation-army-at-mark-ridleys-comedy-castle |date=2016-03-03 }}, Salvation Army Bed and Bread Club. where they raise around $40,000 each year. Other benefits include the American Cancer Society, Infant Mortality Night, Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan, South Oakland Homeless Shelter, Common Ground Shelter, Guardians for Animals, and the Royal Oak Police Officer Association, among many more. All proceeds go to the charities.[http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/05/comedy_magic_duo_gears_up_for.html MLive], Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan charity show.[http://myjewishdetroit.org/2014/12/kids-all-together-comedy-kick-off/ JCC] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217212624/http://myjewishdetroit.org/2014/12/kids-all-together-comedy-kick-off/ |date=2015-02-17 }}, Kids with special needs charity show.[http://www.candgnews.com/news/comedy-castle-event-benefits-animal-shelters-rescues-80863 C and G News], Guardians for Animals charity show.

Television

The Comedy Castle has hosted several television specials, including Showtime Comedy Club Network, HBO's Comic Relief, A&E's Comedy on the Road with John Byner, and the Comcast Comedy Spotlight. In 1991, Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle produced and hosted the Emmy Award winning “Funny Side of the Street” , a local variety show featuring Tim Allen.[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3085349/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm IMDB Bio], Mark Ridley.

Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle promoted the taping of Kathleen Madigan’s 2013 comedy special “Madigan Again”, filmed at the Royal Oak Music Theater.[http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20130424/comedian-kathleen-madigan-recording-tv-special-in-royal-oak Oakland Press], Kathleen Madigan Special, 2013.

Comedy festivals

File:Comedy Castle Madigan Black Ridley.JPG

Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle hosted the first Detroit International Comedy Festival in 2008. The following year, Mark Ridley produced and filmed the [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1609109/ Detroit International Comedy Festival] for theatrical and home video release.[http://www.arkdistribution.com/NewReleases.htm Ark Distribution], 2nd Detroit International Comedy Festival, 2009. In 2010, Lewis Black emceed and headlined the festival.[http://www.dailytribune.com/20100108/detroit-comedy-festival-gets-the-best-laughs-on-film Daily Tribune], 3rd Detroit International Comedy Festival, 2010. The Comedy Castle also produced Laugh-a-Palooza each year, featuring many up and coming comedians from around the United States and Canada.[http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20091213/laugh-a-palooza-hits-the-palace-with-new-comedic-talents The Oakland Press], Laugh-a-Palooza.

In addition to comedy festivals, Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle also hosts a [http://comedycastle.com/Comedy-Classes stand-up comedy class] for those that desire to learn about writing jokes, performing in front of an audience, and working in a club. Local comedian Bill Bushart, who the Metro Times named “Detroit’s Best Comedian 2010,” teaches the class.[http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/Events/index.php/name/Bill-Bushart/event/9274/ Hour Detroit], Bill Bushart.

Notable performers

File:Comedy Castle Tim Allen.jpg during a surprise set at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle.]]

Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle’s first headliner was Mike Binder, then trying to break out as a stand-up comedian. He was living in Los Angeles at the time and called Mark Ridley to ask if he could be the Comedy Castle’s first headliner.[http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/December-2014/Conversation-Starter/ Hour Detroit], Mike Binder. Bob Saget was an early headliner at the Comedy Castle, where he met future Full House co-star Dave Coulier, a Detroit grown comedian and regular headliner.[http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/01/14/bob-saget-is-coming-to-town-not-danny-tanner/ CBS Detroit], Bob Saget.

In 1996, Bill Engvall recorded his debut comedy album “Here’s Your Sign” at the Comedy Castle, followed by his second album “Dorkfish” in 1998. Both albums went platinum.[http://www.dailytribune.com/20120127/yall-come-to-the-blue-collar-comedy-tour Daily Tribune], Blue Collar Tour, Bill Engvall.

The only club that comedian Kathleen Madigan will work outside of her normal theater tour is Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle.[http://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/happy-to-rock-detroit/Content?oid=2197359 Metro times] Metro Times, Kathleen Madigan.

List of Notable Performers

Comedians who have performed in the club include:

References

External links

[http://comedycastle.com/ Comedy Castle Official Website]

Category:Comedy clubs in the United States

Category:Royal Oak, Michigan

Category:Tourist attractions in Oakland County, Michigan