SF Sketchfest showcases a range of comedy performances, including lesser known local acts, such as in “SF Sketchfest Threesome,” where three headliners are giving half an hour each to perform their standup routines. They also a few different stand up showcases that spotlight some lesser known talent. The “SF Sketchfest Threesome” is one of those events. This one takes three headliners, and gives them all an equal amount if time (30 Minutes), and the order is seemingly random.
Joe Avery, a San Francisco resident, was the host of the show. This was a hyper local set, specifically calling out stereotypes about different neighborhoods, and a bit of rent control commentary. The crowd was warm to him. He did occasionally fall into the “ha ha! I’m a straight guy living in the Castro” kinda territory, but his delivery was solid. Once he finds his unique voice I think he’s going to be great.
Clare O’Kane was up next, and she was ready to show what a little experience can do for your act. O’Kane is a natural on stage. She’s honed in her persona, whicht can be described as “effortlessly awkward.” She has this way of taking much of life’s most difficult, unspoken moments, including weighty topics like abortion, and making them warm and relatable. She focuses on taboo subjects in her routine, without shying away from why they are uncomfortable, and makes the audience feel ok about them.
Alex Koll had to follow O’Kane. He opened with a genius move- a comedy “palate cleanser,” if you will. Instead of jumping straight into jokes, he did a bit that required audience participation, involved getting increasingly more agitated and emotional about the respect needed for the bar and waitstaff, forcing us to “give it up.” It really did shake us up in a way that got us ready for another comic. Where O’Kane was super cool and relaxed throughout her set, Koll was intense and emotive. There were definite belly laughs, too. It was a solid set!
Amy Miller closed out the show. She might be the most famous comedian to come out of the Bay Area’s stand up scene in a while, and is very deserving of it. Her set felt almost like a family reunion, with Amy interacting with the crowd as if she’s known them for years. And, yes, some people she HAS known for years. There was one moment that could’ve been awkward for a less seasoned performer, where she was doing a bit about kids and ended up asking an old friend about her kids. Instead of alienating people not in the know, she managed to bring strangers into the closer family, and now we all were in on the jokes. And this woman’s kids are likely to get 189 birthday presents this year, as we all feel obligated now.
This was a solid evening of comedy. It was great to get equal play time from three very different headliners, all in top form and ready for the world.
