Comedy Club Returning To Its Roots

WESTPORT — Back in the summer of 1983, The Treehouse Comedy Club – Connecticut’s first and foremost fulltime comedy showcase – opened at 1595 Post Road East in Westport. That location now houses the brand-spanking new Spyglass Restaurant, a full restaurant, bar and “part-time comedy club” thanks to the return to Treehouse Comedy to the facility.

Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Rosie O’Donnell, Denis Leary, and Jon Stewart are some of the celebrity comedy artists who played the original Treehouse of Westport during the 1980s. Rolling Stone Magazine said of the Treehouse: “You’ll see the hottest new comedians at the coolest club in town.”

That won’t change, promises the owners of Treehouse Comedy, who have promised a cornucopia of comedy talent ranging from a very special celebrity act at the end of June, and two shows headlining two Treehouse originals.

On Friday, May 12, the Spyglass/Treehouse comedy series continues with “The Latin Lunatic” JJ Ramirez, who been featured on Showtime at the Apollo and The Apollo Comedy Hour.

As part of his act Mr Ramirez will host a nightclub version of the dating game that is always a hilarious, improvisational and spontaneous portion of his show.

Supporting talent for this performance will be the very funny Nancy Richards plus Johnny Lampert, who has appeared on MTV, A&E, NBC’s Friday Night and Comedy Central’s Premium Blend.

On Fridays, May 26and June 9, two Treehouse alumni headline as they boomerang to the club they both started their illustrious comedy careers at.

On Memorial Day weekend, Treehouse Original and WPLR morning radio personality Billy Winn will headline. Mr Winn kicked off his comedy career hosting the Treehouse’s open mic nights beginning in 1984. He parlayed his stand-up comedy into a career in radio, first with KC-101 and currently on an eight-year run with the morning show on WPLR 99.1. Mr Winn has also had stand-up appearances on VH-1’s Stand-up Spotlight and A&E’S Comedy on the Road.

Johnny Rizzo, who was the first act to ever audition at the Treehouse, will return to his roots on June 9.

While the comedy club was actually being built, he was doing shtick to The Treehouse owner trying to get stage time. Twenty–two years later Johnny has never had a “real job.” Stand-up comedy is his job. This rubber-faced Bridgeport native has been headlining comedy clubs and colleges around the country ever since and has been featured on MTV, America’s Funniest People and A&E.

Tickets for all of these shows are $15, and the shows will begin at 9:30 pm.

Then on June 23 in a special celebrity comedy event, The Spyglass and the Treehouse will are proud to present the comedy of Rich Vos from NBC-TV’s Last Comic Standing. Mr Vos Rich was the scene-stealing reality show finalist. He often stole this network television broadcast with his neurotic living habits and hysterical funny off-stage commentary.

Bonnie McFarlane, a/k/a Mrs Vos, will be the opening act.

Tickets for this show will be $19.50 with a showtime of 8 pm.

Reservations can be made for all of the shows by calling the Spyglass at 203-418-2518.